StrongFirst Summit of Strength 2026
On January 31 and February 1, 2026, Cesena became the meeting point for coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, and strength professionals from all over the world during the StrongFirst Summit of Strength 2026.
An international event that represented not only an opportunity for technical development, but above all a moment to reflect on the evolution of the very concept of strength and the way it is trained.
Among the many high-level presentations, one topic that generated particular interest was 3D Training, presented and developed by Michael Maraldi, with an approach that integrates biomechanics, motor control, and neuromuscular organization.
3D
Training is based on a central assumption: the human body is a dynamic, self-organizing system. In line with Dynamic Systems Theory, movement is not the result of a centralized command activating individual muscles in sequence, but rather emerges from the interaction between:
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organism constraints (structure, mobility, strength, motor history)
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task constraints (load, speed, direction)
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environmental constraints (surface, equipment, gravity)
According to Newell’s constraints model, it is precisely the interaction among these factors that generates coordination. Effective technique is not “imposed,” but emerges as the optimal solution within these constraints.
In this context, 3D Training aims to create conditions in which the neuromuscular system is forced to adapt in three dimensions, integrating:
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sagittal plane
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frontal plane
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transverse plane
Every effective athletic movement arises from the simultaneous management of linear, rotational, and shear forces.
3D Functional Anatomy
The Hierarchy of Volumes
During the presentation, the body was interpreted through functional volumes rather than individual muscles:
Central Volume – Core
It is the hub of force transmission and the primary regulator of system stability. In multi-joint movements, it serves as the integration point between force production and force direction.
Proximal Volumes – Legs and Arms
These are the main generators of power. They enable force production and allow the body to be positioned in space.
Distal Volumes – Hands, Feet, and Head
These act as end-effectors:
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the foot interacts with the ground (ground reaction forces)
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the hand manages the implement
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the head directs balance and motor intent
From this organization emerges the so-called:
Functional Trinity = Power – Stability – Drive
The power generated by the proximal segments must be modulated by the central volume and effectively transferred to the distal segments.
Optimal coordination is therefore the result of an integrated sequence, rather than isolated activations.
Summit Equipment: Practical Application of the 3D Model
During the Summit, several tools were used as means to create functional constraints capable of stimulating emergent coordination and three-dimensional adaptation.
Low Hex Bar 9212/3
Used to work on the relationship between:
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center of mass (COM)
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base of support (BOS)
The alignment of the load relative to the body:
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reduces shear forces on the spine
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facilitates the learning of three-dimensional stability management
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requires continuous micro-adjustments of the core under load
The geometry of the tool thus becomes a positive constraint, guiding motor organization toward more efficient patterns.
Total Core Pin 9029
A bridging tool between pure strength and complex coordination.
In ballistic and diagonal movements (e.g., woodchop), it allows the exploration of so-called spiral force, highlighting:
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functional foot pivot
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energy transfer from the hip
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transmission through the core
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distal finalization
The hand does not generate force; it represents the final link in a kinetic chain that originates from interaction with the ground.
Loadable Macebell 2139
The macebell introduces a high torque moment and a significant shift in the center of mass. It is not simply a weight to lift, but inertia to control.
By working on:
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flow control
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management of centrifugal and centripetal accelerations
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dissociation of the girdles
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intersegmental coordination
the macebell increases system complexity, forcing the body to develop more refined control strategies. From a dynamical systems perspective, it increases task constraints, promoting the emergence of new coordination solutions.
3D Training and Injury Prevention
Strength Without Rigidity
One of the most relevant points in Maraldi’s presentation concerned injury prevention.
In a poorly organized system, the body tends to respond to load demands with:
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excessive defensive co-contractions
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segmental stiffness
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unmodulated increases in stiffness
This can reduce movement efficiency and increase stress on passive structures.
3D Training, on the other hand, aims to develop:
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modulated stiffness, meaning the ability to stiffen only when necessary
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improved intermuscular synchronization
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greater neuromuscular efficiency
Properly training segmental rotation and anti-rotational control means improving the distribution of forces along the kinetic chain. It is not about “blocking” movement, but organizing it so that force is transmitted without dispersion or excessive compensation.
A key principle that emerged during the Summit:
You cannot express force if you do not possess a stable and dynamically controlled base of support.
A New Language of Strength
Michael Maraldi’s contribution at the StrongFirst Summit of Strength 2026 highlighted an ongoing cultural shift in the field of physical preparation.
Training Strength Today Means:
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integrating production and control
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training movement in three dimensions
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creating intelligent constraints that promote emergent coordination
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developing adaptability in addition to power
3D Training is not simply about moving loads, but about the ability to manage inertia, center of mass, and external forces in an efficient and sustainable way.
The Speaker
Michael Maraldi is an international coach and educator in the field of strength and conditioning, with solid practical experience and a vision that integrates athletic preparation, motor control, and injury prevention.
His presentation at the Summit offered a contemporary interpretation of strength: no longer understood simply as the ability to produce muscular tension or lift heavy loads, but as the body’s capacity to organize itself efficiently in space and time.
The key concept of his presentation can be summarized as follows:
The body does not operate through isolated muscles, but through coordinated movement patterns.