“In March of 2017, I ended up stumbling upon Bren’s class without knowing a thing about ‘Movement Training’. If someone asked me today a year and a half later ‘What is it you do?’ I still cannot give them a proper answer because really, we did everything!

There have been so many disciplines I have gotten a chance to experience over a year and a half: Climbing, Parkour, Dance, Contact Improvisation, Balance, Locomotion, Gymnastic Rings, Olympic Lifting, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu just to name a few! The amount of information and growth for me personally while training with this amazing group of people was truly intoxicating.

Every class was different and we were constantly challenged with new movement patterns. The repetitive nature of traditional training methods of progressive overloading the same patterns focused on increasing strength, speed, flexibility etc. were just not engaging enough to keep me motivated. Movement training on the other hand was the complete opposite. I did not know what to expect from the classes on a daily basis other than the fact that I would be learning something new! It will challenge your body as well as your mind, your ability to pick up new skills, and give you a chance to work on your weaknesses as well as your strengths.

The atmosphere created within this group has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and try things I never would have done by myself. It taught me to get over that fear of trying something new and being bad at it. It encouraged me to improve as an individual, and it encouraged me to help teach others even if I felt like it wasn’t my area of expertise. This experience was truly life changing in a positive way and I am extremely thankful to have been in the right place at the right time to have met Bren and the other members of The Movement Cult.

Bren is an outstanding teacher and takes the time to carefully plan out the classes. It is natural that everyone is at different skill levels and Bren takes the time to study this and assign the appropriate progression for the individual to improve at the respective skill. What was also great to see in Bren as a teacher, was him being a student as well. Bren is constantly exploring new disciplines and studying under some of the best teachers in the field! I truly believe that having a teacher who is so passionate about the field is an incredible resource to have for anyone, regardless of your goals and reasons for joining.

Thank you Bren for an unbelievable learning experience over the past year and a half; for teaching me and everyone else countless lessons, methods, drills, games, puzzles, and all the fun stuff! To everyone at The Movement Cult, Thank you for the good times, the memories and for being my family away from home. I strongly encourage anyone in the Bay Area to reach out to Bren and The Movement Cult and see what it’s like to be a part of this amazing group.”

—Stephen V.

“When it comes to approaching movement from a general perspective, it's clear Bren is an expert.

Classes are varied and you can expect to be practicing completely novel techniques to complement your ability to move in any capacity. The class environment is relaxed and supportive with a focus on partner work to help identify and correct any faults in technique. Bren also has a wealth of knowledge in the areas of nutrition and injury management.

Highly recommended for athletes looking to sharpen their game or simply anyone who wants to explore the capabilities of their body and have some fun with it!”

—Mark R.

“I came to Bren to supplement my jiujitsu training and rehab my knees due to a recurring injury.

My focus was to get more mobility and strength. I started with barely being able to fully squat, let alone holding it. Four months later, not only is my knee almost back to 100% with weighted full squats but I have also developed crazy handstand and gymnastic ring capabilities which I had never believed I could do.

Swearing by Ido Portal’s Method, Bren is definitely one to have on the team for anyone preparing for a competition, rehabbing from an injury or just getting physically and mentally better.”

—Anup R.

“My self-esteem has grown leaps and bounds ever since I joined this class.

Bren's a great trainer and I love working with him.”

—Shiva G.

“It's never a dull day at Bren's movement training classes. Some days we're crawling like lizards, other days we're lifting, but every day we're improving our mobility and getting stronger. I highly recommend the class to anyone who wants to add more flexibility to their lifestyle.”

—Mubushir R.

“Bren is the real deal: knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about what he does. A true student of his craft.

If you are into movement training, I highly recommend this place.”

—Jackson R.

“Bren's class has so much to offer! The training he offers will change your life physically and mentally. You learn technique, mindfulness, and patience with yourself!

When we play games, we use tact, willingness, form, and everything under the sun that is required for this kind of training. It has changed my attitude about my body and how I think about it.

Additionally, for any good fitness/dietary program, these are the kinds of things that create growth! Excellent class, excellent people, good atmosphere, safe area, join today!”

—Jarret S.

“I didn't take very good care of my body when I was in my twenties and spent most of my thirties haunted by back issues, bad joints, and wrist problems. After moving to San Jose, I signed up for a class with Bren, not knowing what to expect.

I'd never heard of ‘movement training’ before! Classes are two hours long with about four to twelve other students in attendance. Everyone is super friendly and at all different levels. We work on handstands, cartwheels, deadlifts, gymnastic rings and plenty of other things I don't even know the names for.

While other gyms focus on cardio or weights or some other narrowly defined goal, this class is (for me) more about relearning how to move my body the way I used to when I was a kid—back when exercise was never about losing weight. It's about mastering the art of versatility so my body can do things with confidence and without pain—like climbing a tree or playing with my nephews.

I remember around the three week mark when I was sore af, I texted Bren something along the lines about not being able to go to class. I said, ‘The will is stronger than the body!’ He texted back, ‘It's the other way around!’ I think for me, that's what movement training (and Bren) has given back to me: not just the joy of movement but the realization that despite age or previous injury, my body is stronger now than ever.”

—Susan P.

“Training with Bren has dramatically improved my life. I had debilitating wrist pain for about 6 years and I lost hope for recovery until Bren helped me understand rehabilitation through movement training. Bren guided me through a carefully designed program based on methods he has integrated from worldwide experts on rehabilitation and protective joint strengthening or ‘antifragility training.’

I went from *absolute* zero to hanging, pulling, pushing, hand-balancing, and generally living pain-free.

A few examples of before: hanging with 10% bodyweight, dumbbell bench 5 lb, 5% bodyweight pushup position.

After (at time of writing review): 8 second freestanding handstand, ring pull up with 45lb added, 3 ring dips, ring muscle up, dumbbell bench with 40 lb each hand, 250 lb deadlift, 5.11c and V3 indoors, and much more.

Drop in on a group class, or contact Bren for private lessons, and you will achieve more than you ever thought possible!”

—Eren V.