BLBOPT was created by Brandon L. Bender in 2021, with the main objective of being able to positively & substantively affect more lives all over the globe via an online platform. Along with the clear and distinct intent on helping individuals achieve their specific health & fitness goals, while at the same time maintaining affordability, convenience and the personal “human-touch” aspect.

BLBOPT is an Online Personal Training program focused on substantial health metrics, such as: Heart health and Digestive health while incorporating “3” basic components: Strength Training, Nutrition and Cardiovascular exercise.

BLBOPT offers Online Personal Training for individuals of ALL ages and ability levels.

The Philosophy of the BLBOPT program is to create a FUN, rewarding, supportive, community-based environment that facilitates the process of accountability and attaining positive Physical & Mental change.

The BLBOPT program incorporates safe and effective nutritional guidelines along with exercise plans to assist in meeting the needs of different individuals with varying goals. Brandon is a Professional Personal Trainer with over 20 years of experience and makes it a priority to educate, motivate and support each individual as they are led through a series of progressive goal-based steps toward success.

BRANDON L. BENDER, CPT

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Concordia University
Bachelor of Arts 1998
Double Major: Exercise Science & Fitness Management and Graphic Arts

Illinois Valley Community College
Associate in Science 1996
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy

National Academy of Sports Medicine
Certified Personal Trainer 2000

American Red Cross
AED/Adult, Infant and Child CPR/First Aid

BACKGROUND SYNOPSIS

In college, Brandon participated in varsity football, baseball and track. After the 1997 football season, he was honored as Scholar/Athlete of the Year. Just previous and subsequent to graduating, Magna Cum Laude, in 1998, he had an opportunity to work for some of the Nation’s largest and most recognized institutions attaining invaluable experience, both personal and professional (See below). Specifically, gaining a wide variety of experience in the Health & Fitness field, ranging from Corporate Fitness to Cardiac Rehabilitation to Strength & Conditioning and Sports Performance Training.

Prior to establishing BLBTRAINING in 2004, highlighted stints included serving as Director of Corporate Fitness for Zurich American Insurance Co. (Headquarters), managing both Zurich North America and Zurich Life Corporate Fitness Center sites, Sports Events Coordinator and Health & Fitness Editor for world-renowned Ad Agency Leo Burnett USA and working alongside Northwestern University’s Football Strength & Conditioning Team during the tenure of former Big Ten Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year, Larry Lilja and Head Football Coach, Gary Barnett whom led the Northwestern University Wildcats football team to a Rose Bowl appearance (1996) and Citrus Bowl appearance (1997), the latter against the University of Tennessee Volunteers led by Hall of Fame (NFL) Quarterback, Peyton Manning.

In 2008, while continuing to devote the majority of his time to BLBTRAINING’s fitness training programs, Brandon joined the football coaching staff at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. He served as an Assistant Defensive Backs, Special Teams and Speed Coach and helped the North Central College Cardinals football team to an undefeated regular season (10-0), Conference Championship, National playoff berth (Regional #1 seed) and their highest National ranking (#2 ranked) in school history.

In 2011, Brandon joined the football coaching staff at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He served as an Assistant Outside Linebacker, Safeties, Co-Special Teams Coordinator and Strength & Conditioning Coach and helped lead the Prairie Ridge High School Wolves football team to a 13-1 overall record, #1 Ranking in the State of Illinois and their 1st Illinois State Championship in their school’s history. Subsequently, the team also received the very prestigious 7th Annual MaxPreps Football “Tour of Champions” National ranking trophy presented by the Army National Guard.

In 2012, as Co-Special Teams Coordinator and Safeties Coach, Brandon had the opportunity to coach Prairie Ridge High School football team’s MVP, who played Safety and was also named All-Conference and 1st Team All-State and subsequently earned a NCAA Division 1 (FBS) scholarship to Northern Illinois University and went on to break many Defensive records for the Huskies, including leading the team in tackles in 2016 while playing Linebacker. After graduating college, he was invited to an NFL Mini-Camp for the Buffalo Bills in 2017. Additionally, Brandon coached the starting Kicker that season as well, who went on to play college Soccer at Seton Hall University and then Bradley University where he was the starting Goalkeeper. He broke many school records there and became the first player in their program’s history to be selected “MVC Player of the Week” four times during a season. After playing in college, he went on to play professional Soccer for the National Premier Soccer League and USL League One and is currently playing professionally for Chicago House AC.

After the 2012 football season ended, Brandon opened up a “Sports Performance Training” facility in the Crystal Lake area to serve and personally train a multitude of local college, high school and youth athletes. Many of these youth athletes that trained at Brandon’s facility went on to win another “2” Illinois State Championships (2016 & 2017) in Football for Prairie Ridge High School. These same athletes also broke many Illinois State Football Records, including a streak of 30 consecutive wins, an Illinois State Top 10 All-time team record and many went on to play college football thereafter.

In 2016, Brandon joined the football coaching staff at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He served as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach and helped guide the College of DuPage Chaparrals football team to a NJCAA National Championship in 2017 and multiple Top 10 National rankings.

In 2017, as the current Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the football team, Brandon was also then recruited by the Chair of the Physical Education Department at the College of DuPage and asked to teach the largest class at the college and take on the dual role and responsibility of Football Coach and now becoming a College Adjunct Faculty Instructor and teaching Physical Education classes at multiple time periods each week.

Additionally, as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach in 2018, Brandon coached 3 different players (1 Defensive Back/Return Specialist, 1 Kicker and 1 Punter) that each finished the season leading the NJCAA in Defensive and Special Teams statistical categories: 1st in the Nation for Interceptions, 1st in the Nation for Kick-Off Returns for Touchdowns, 1st in the Nation for Kick-Off Yards Per Kick Average and 4th in the Nation for Punt Yards Per Punt Average.

During his tenure at College of DuPage (2016 through 2018), Brandon coached and mentored 12 future NCAA Division 1 (FBS) football players: 9 Defensive Backs (2 All-Americans), 2 Punters and 1 Kicker (Currently the starting Kicker for NCAA Division 1 (FBS) Western Michigan University football team), along with 1 NCAA Division 2 Kicker/Punter (All-American and NFL Mini-Camp Invitee with the Chicago Bears in 2019).

In over 10 years of coaching experience at all levels of football: NCAA Division 1 (FBS), NCAA Division 3, NJCAA and High School, Brandon has helped many already successful programs reach firsts in their team history, such as: National and State Championships and highest National, State and Regional rankings.

Brandon has also mentored many student-athletes of diverse backgrounds and skill levels, many of whom have subsequently been recognized as: All-American, All-State, All-Region, All-Conference and AllAcademic, along with National and State season leaders in major statistical categories.

Currently, Brandon uses all of these extensive health & fitness and sports experiences and thus gained knowledge to assist him in his unique training style, techniques and overall programming to continue the mission of “Maximizing Individual Potential” for athletes and non-athletes alike and remains steadfast in helping all individuals, by way of BLBTRAINING’s fitness training programs and the newly created BLBOPT Online Personal Training program, to reach and maintain their specific health & fitness goals, and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

Abbott Laboratories
North Chicago, IL

Andersen Consulting (Accenture)
St. Charles, IL

Body Dynamics, Inc.
Hinsdale, IL

College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL

Leo Burnett USA
Chicago, IL

Newsome Physical Therapy
Naperville, IL

North Central College
Naperville, IL

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Prairie Ridge High School
Crystal Lake, IL

Precision Fitness, Inc.
Naperville, IL

Westlake Community Hospital
Melrose Park, IL

Zurich American Insurance Co.
Schaumburg, IL