Teaching​ and Consulting
Dr. Pitcher has a passion for educating people about health and fitness.
Even as a student at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa, Dr. Pitcher was involved with teaching as a senior teaching assistant Department of Physical Diagnosis.
After graduating from Chiropractic College, he returned to Canada to practice, In addition to practice he also enrolled in the Masters of Science program at Memorial University of Newfoundland studying muscle physiology. While studying he also conducted research which he presented Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and published articles in Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism on the reliability of electromyography and Journal of Sports Science and Medicine on muscle fatigue.
During this time he was also a sessional lecturer, teaching two university courses at the School of Human Kinetics on Human Factors and Occupational Ergonomics and Sports Biomechanics. He was also an instructor at the Collge of the North Atlantic Massage Therapy Program, teaching Clinical Considerations of Joint Mechanics.
Today Dr. Pitcher still teaches the many interns and doctors that cycle through VIMG's internship and Sports Chiropractic Fellowship program.
He often writes about health and fitness or the Vail Daily and frequently lectures and conducts workshops on many health topics.
He can be found many weekends around the country training the trainers, teaching TRX's Suspension Training Course (STC) Functional Training Course (FMT) and the Sports Medicine Suspension Training Course (SMSTC).
TRX Teaching and Training
Dr. Pitcher Currently teaches two TRX training courses, The Level 1 Suspension Training Course (STC) and the Specialty Sports Medicine Suspension Training Course (SMSTC).
In addition to Training the trainers, He also offers private and semi-private TRX instruction as well as small group classes.at the Vail Athletic Club. For more information or to set up a training session contact us here
Suspension Training Course (STC)
With the versatility of TRX Suspension Training® you’ll have a portable fitness solution to train clients in any setting. You'll learn how to properly perform and cue foundational Suspension Training exercises as well as the benefits and target muscles of the exercises. Learn modifications and progressions to adapt the exercises to every fitness level. Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
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Properly perform a variety of Suspension Training exercises
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Progress and regress exercises for all fitness levels
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Adjust resistance and stability for all exercises
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Cue and correct common faults
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Correctly set up and use the TRX Suspension Trainer
Check out available course in your area here.
Sports Medicine Course (SMSTC)
Geared towards healthcare and fitness professionals, this level 2 TRX course, teaches you to incorporate TRX Suspension Training bodyweight exercise into the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal diseases or disabilities. Competently demonstrate and teach back TRX Sports Medicine exercises and modifications. Learn treatments for common injuries through case scenario formats. Provide therapeutic and preventative exercise applications for common musculoskeletal injuries. Correctly set up and use the TRX Suspension Trainer™ Check out the available course in your area here.
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Functional Training Course (FTC)
Participants will learn how to leverage TRX’s movement based training approach on the TRX Suspension Trainer and Rip Trainer to teach Foundational Movements and progressions and then apply to a variety of training equipment. Beyond Suspension Training and Rip Training, these other modalities may include Kettlebells, Medicine Balls, DVRT Ultimate Sandbags, Battling Ropes and Bands.
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
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Apply foundational movement methodology on the TRX Suspension Trainer and TRX Rip Trainer to better modify the intensity for a variety of modalities
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Integrate advanced TRX coaching and cueing techniques
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Lead pre-programmed, multimodality, circuit-based training workouts
Check out the available course in your area here.
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Lectures and Workshops
Post-Course Materials
Click below for lecture notes, videos and other resources
Dr. Pitcher is available for lecture engagements. There are 1-2 hour lectures as well as 1/2 day and full-day workshops on a wide variety of health and fitness topics. Email markjpitcher@gmail.com for more information.
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Low Back Pain - Mechanics and Myth (1.5 -2-hour workshop)
The good thing about the internet is there is endless information available. The bad thing is there is endless information available. Some advice is accurate, some are not, and some may not be accurate specifically for you. Learn the science about how the back works, Come debunk some myths that are holding you back and learn how to move forward using science to prevent and rehabilitate back trouble..
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Climbing Injury - Preventing Acute and Overuse Injuries
This lecture workshop was presented at the American Scholastic Climbing League Coaches Clinic hosted by Eagle Climbing + Fitness. It addresses injury mechanisms and how to recognize the more common climbing injuries. Warm-up and prevention tools are discussed.
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Exercise Science - Developing a simple exercise program (1 - 1.5hours)
Originally geared towards high school students interested in learning about training, Includes a 30-45min lecture and a 15min (or more) metabolic circuit to finsih off the class.
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Role of Fascia in Injury and Rehabilitation (1-2 hours) or 1/2 day workshop
This lecture was originally created as an invited presentation for the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association. It discusses the role of fascia and explores new research in the area.
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Living Long and Strong (1-2 hours)
Everyone ages. But aging well sometimes takes work. There is good research to support the role exercise plays in aging well. Exercise can improve bone health, body composition, quality of muscle tissue, disability from arthritis, brain function and even the health of one's skin. Come learn how a good the foundation of movement and a well-constructed exercise program can lead to improved strength, endurance, and fight back the hands of time. This interactive workshop helps participants use self-assessments to identify weakness and imbalance and understand what elements of exercise may be of most benefit for their specific goals.
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Rest and Recovery to Maximize Athletic Performance (1-2 hours)
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Low Back Injury - Contemporary Rehabilitation Concepts (1 hour)
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The Sports Chiropractor in the Interdisciplinary Model (45 minutes to 1 hour
Originally an invited presentation for the Athletic Trainer fellowship program at the Steadman Clinic. Discussion about optimal collaboration of providers to yield maximal results for patients
Foundational Movements for Performance and Prevention (1-2 Hours)
Learn how to leverage improving movement to improved athletic performance and reduce injury.
Exercsie Physiology
Dr. Pitcher also does consulting work in exercise physiology. He currently is working with Sigma Tactical which performs comprehensive health and cardiovascular screening with Law enforcement all over the United States.
