Background and Interests

Cary Hiner has been training diverse populations for athletic performance and injury prevention in Sonoma County for over 25 years. A native of Sonoma County, Cary attended Analy High School, where he was Lineman of the Year and All-Empire for both Offense and Defense in the 1985-86 season.

A continually evolving thinker, Cary's B.L.A.S.T. training methods are always diversifying.

Cary Hiner loves to learn about human potential, and loves to help others maximize theirs. 

Certifications

Head Trainer Cary Hiner holds numerous certifications by leading sports fitness institutions, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), and Exos (formerly Athletes' Performance). These certifications are listed below, with brief explanations of their significance in the Absolute Athlete B.L.A.S.T. program. 

NASM- CPT: Certified Personal Trainer

The NASM Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model is the basis for the Absolute Athlete B.L.A.S.T. program. We begin with a thorough assessment of biomechanics and neuromusculature. Achieving optimal movement requires opening, integrating, and strengthening the whole body by targeting in each individual athlete areas of weakness, instability, tightness, hyper- or hypo-flexibility, muscles firing in improper sequence, and other common issues that are the root of athletic underperformance, as well as the cause of traumatic and repetitive injuries. Fortunately, the same fundamentals of neuromuscular strength and fluid body mechanics that lead to improved skill and performance also rehabilitate injury and protect against future injury. Optimal positioning = optimal leverage = optimal balance and power.

NASM-PES: Performance Enhancement Specialist

Beyond physical training, Athletic Performance Enhancement programs seek to develop sports-specific movement that leads to increased stability, strength, speed, agility, and power. Cary Hiner has trained athletes from pre-school to college as well as professionals in the NFL and PGA. Many of the Absolute Athlete Alumni have received scholarships for division one college programs. 

NASM-CES: Corrective Exercise Specialist

Corrective exercise involves targeting specific muscle chains and firing sequences that have been identified as causing problems for the individual. Corrective exercises programs "prevent injuries, reduce movement deficiencies, improve muscle imbalances, and maximize results by creating safe, individualized training programs by identifying dysfunctions, developing a plan of action, and implementing corrective exercise solutions." (NASM CES description)

NASM-YES: Youth Exercise Specialist

Young athletes have special needs that must be understood when developing an appropriate training program. Due to their body's changing proportions as they grow, young people often have issues with coordination and muscle weakness. This can lead to development of biomechanical movement patterns that cause athletic performance to plateau or decline, and also unfortunately can result in traumatic and/or repetitive injury. Head Trainer Cary Hiner uses the Biolever anatomical measuring system to identify performance and injury trends and potential, which allows a precise targeting in each athlete of unique issues to address, leading to rapid growth in stability, strength, speed, agility, and power. 

NASM-GFS: Golf Fitness Specialist

The golf swing is a highly complex movement requiring the proper firing in sequence of long muscle chains. To successfully repeat a clubhead swing in a healthy and pain-free manner requires stability, balance, neuromuscular integration and neuromuscular strength. Muscle tissue fascia that is knotted and constricted must be opened up. Hypertense areas must be relaxed. Hypotense areas must be awakened. Read more about our Golf program and golf-specific methodologies here. 

Titleist Performance Institute Level One

"TPI Golf Certification gives the teaching pro a deep understanding of how the body’s strengths and weaknesses affect the golf swing. TPI Certified Golf Experts can quickly identify any physical restrictions that may be limiting a player’s swing, and simple techniques to improve these limitations. Golf Certification dives deep into 3D Biomechanics, the physics of projectiles, motor control, swing instruction, player coaching, and the short game." (TPI Description). Read more about our Golf program and golf-specific methodologies here. 

"If You're in the business of coaching, physically training, or medically educating golfers, TPI certification should be mandatory" - Butch Harmon

Exos Rehabilitation Mentorship 

Injury rehabilitation is too often seen as being separated from training. Sadly, especially in young athletes, injury can set the stage for future injury and underperformance. Even minor sprains or strains, if not completely diagnosed and treated, can create imbalances in the neuromuscular system, leading to further damage, improper posture, and imbalanced movement. “Old sports injuries” are therefore often a source of discomfort, pain, and even disability throughout life. However, injuries, if properly diagnosed and treated, can be instead a source of insight and growth. Rehabilitation can lead to improved movement on the field and off. Achieving optimal movement requires opening, integrating, and strengthening the whole body by targeting in each individual athlete areas of weakness, instability, tightness, hyper- or hypo-flexibility, muscles firing in improper sequence, and other common issues that are the root of traumatic and repetitive injuries.Fortunately, the same fundamentals of neuromuscular strength and body mechanics that rehabilitate injury also protect against future injury and are the basis for improved skill and performance.