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.”

Here’s 32-year-old Natasha performing sumo-style deadlifts with 135 pounds: Want the full backstory? Check out I Can’t Deadlift That Weight.

Here’s 32-year-old Natasha performing sumo-style deadlifts with 135 pounds—no straps required. Want the full backstory? Check out I Can’t Deadlift That Weight.

On August 13, 2016, I was hired by Natasha, a 30-year-old dentist who had never touched a barbell in her life. Her goal was to build muscle, gain strength, and achieve the look of a fitness model you might see in a magazine. Of course, I told her to focus on the process and let…

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) offer a wide range of benefits, including muscle growth, fat loss, and anti-catabolic effects—but one of their most potent effects is the significant reduction in post-workout soreness. Taking BCAAs during your workout can help you feel better after your workout. But there are two key factors you need to pay attention…

Here’s a tip that may sound unusual at first but can be surprisingly effective:Take your pre-workout supplements after your workout, too. That’s right—doubling up on your pre-workout stack can boost not just performance, but also recovery. This strategy comes from insights shared by Stan “The Rhino” Efferding and strength coach Christian Thibaudeau. Here’s how it…

We’re on the brink of what may be the greatest health debate of the 21st century—and you’ll want a front-row seat for it. It’s a topic that sparks intense discussion among intelligent people on both sides.Some say they’re essential. Others believe they’re dangerous.And caught in the middle? Our children. The topic: vaccines. Whether you believe…

Last week, I witnessed something remarkable while training my eldest client, who’s about to turn 90 in March. Her identical twin sister was visiting from out of town and decided to join our session. Despite having the same genetics, the difference between the two was striking—in strength, mobility, function, and even appearance. My client moved…

Welcome to a new paradigm in injury treatment. For decades, the standard advice for acute injury management has been the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. But evidence continues to mount that this approach may actually delay healing rather than promote it. That’s why I introduced a new approach: METH—Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat….

Every day, we make thousands of choices—some big, some small—and every one of them can influence our lives. Even the most minor choice can have a major impact. Take an early morning workout, for example. You can choose to go out partying the night before, or you can choose to go to bed early. You…

Sometimes, to lift big numbers in the gym, you need to start light—really light—as in broomstick-light! Believe it or not, a simple broomstick can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. It can help boost your bench and squat in a big way. Here’s how. The Morning Ritual For the bench press, many strength athletes…