About John Paul

John Paul Catanzaro, BSc Kin, CSEP-CEP, CSEP-HPS, is a CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist and a CSEP High Performance Specialist with a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. He owns and operates a private training facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario. In 1996, John Paul opened a personal training studio at his home in Toronto, Ontario. With vision and passion, the business quickly grew and the word got out: “If you want to get in shape, go see this guy!” Now located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, the business boasts a state-of-the-art training facility and a waiting list of clients. John Paul founded The Catanzaro Group in 2004 with divisions in fitness, nutrition, supplements, lifestyle, seminars, and publishing. In 2010, Catanzaro Supplements was introduced, a new line of nutritional supplements with the objective of providing high quality supplements in a convenient form at an affordable rate. Over the years, John Paul has appeared on television and has written articles for several publications, including American Academy of Health and Fitness (AAHF) Gamut eJournal, Bodybuilding.com, Bodybuilding Italia, canfitpro Magazine, Coaching One-On-One, Dolfzine, FitCommerce, Fitness Business Canada, Fitness Professional Online, Fitness Trainer, Flare, grrlAthlete.com, Intense Fitness, Men’s Health, Mercola.com, MuscleMag International, Olympian’s News, Personal Trainer Development Center, Personal Training on the Net, Planet Muscle, Quest For Advanced Condition, SelfGrowth.com, SpotMeBro.com, Testosterone (aka T-Mag.com and T-Nation.com), TheGymLifestyle.com and Wannabebig.com. His newsletters are informative and entertaining, and he has provided reviews for numerous publications, including the inaugural edition of Sport First Aid in Canada. John Paul has authored six books, The Elite Trainer (2011), Mass Explosion (2013), The Business of Personal Training (2014), The Warm-Up (2016), Lean and Mean (2017), and Invincible (2022), and has released two DVDs, Stretching for Strengthening (2003) and Warm-Up to Strength Training (2005), which have sold copies worldwide, featured in several magazines, and been endorsed by industry-leading experts. John Paul has also released four webinars, Strength Training Parameters and Program Design (2013), Body Composition Strategies (2013), The Business of Personal Training (2014), and Injury Prevention Strategies for Aging Athletes (2016), providing the latest cutting-edge information to fitness professionals. Throughout his career, John Paul has consulted for various corporations. He’s worked with law enforcement personnel and has contributed to the Toronto Police Service health and wellness program. John Paul has worked with bodybuilders, fitness models, athletes, and coaches ranging from amateur ranks to national-level caliber. John Paul is one of the premier trainers in Canada. Building a reputation for getting his clients in top shape quickly, his expertise has not gone unnoticed by other health practitioners who attend his private studio regularly for instruction. John Paul has attracted the attention of various fitness-related organizations seeking lectures and workshops. The list includes canfitpro, Certified Professional Trainers Network, Granite Club, Masters Swimming Canada, Ontario Kinesiology Association, Ontario Society for Health and Fitness, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, and more. Those who experience his presentations have dubbed him “the man with an encyclopedic mind.”

By now, most people know that getting in daily steps is essential for overall health. In particular, taking a short walk after a meal is a well-known hack for controlling blood sugar levels. But let’s be honest—just because something is good for you doesn’t mean people will do it! There’s always an excuse:❌ “I don’t…

Back in June of last year, I had the honour of reviewing a manuscript by Dr. Fred Hui. I was blown away by its depth and wisdom, and I learned many valuable lessons. You will look at life and death differently after reading this book. I promise! I’m happy to announce that Tranquility in the…

The standard procedure for most injuries often involves anti-inflammatories, painkillers, and the RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevation. But what if this approach is slowing down recovery instead of promoting it? A Different Approach to Healing Instead of following the conventional method, I recommend the opposite: This approach, which I call METH (Movement, Elevation, Traction,…

Testosterone is often linked to aggression, but probably not in the way you think. In reality, low testosterone can lead to higher aggression—those with low T levels try to assert themselves through anger, outbursts, and erratic behavior. In contrast, high-testosterone individuals tend to display controlled aggression. The alpha male moves with confidence. He’s unshaken by…

When it comes to fitness, many people strive to improve both strength and endurance. However, combining resistance and endurance training can sometimes lead to the interference effect, where one type of training may hinder progress in the other. A recent study published in Medicine sheds light on how to structure concurrent training programs effectively to…

If there’s ever a time not to draw in your navel, it’s during exercise. Despite the long-held belief that “sucking in your gut” strengthens your core, this practice can actually reduce stability, weaken your lifts, and increase injury risk. Unless you’re using it as a motor re-education method for injury rehabilitation, you should abandon it…

Dr. William Wong’s talk on systemic enzymes is an oldie but a goodie! Whether you’ve heard it before or not, it’s worth revisiting—you’ll discover just how powerful these enzymes can be for injury recovery and overall health. The Secret to Faster Healing When it comes to recovering from an injury, I swear by a two-pronged…

By JP CatanzaroOriginally published: September 23, 2014 – Updated for 2025 Want to boost flexibility, prevent injuries, and optimize performance? Stretching is an essential tool—but only if done correctly. Follow these key do’s and don’ts to stretch smarter, not harder. The Do’s of Effective Stretching ✅ Use Static Stretching to Maintain Flexibility Static stretching (e.g.,…

If you have a muscle group that refuses to grow, you have two options: Let’s break down both strategies and how to apply them effectively. 1. Prioritize the Weak Muscle Group The exercises you perform first in your workout receive the greatest training effect. Most people start with their strongest body parts, but if you…

As you hit your 40s, 50s, and beyond, you realize that you can’t do what you did in your teens, 20s, or even early 30s. Weights that once felt like feathers start feeling like boulders. Loads that used to be part of your warm-up sets suddenly become your working sets. It’s inevitable—just part of aging….