Staying up to date with scientific research can give you a competitive edge as a personal trainer. Here are some recent findings that can enhance your knowledge and improve your clients’ results: A New RPE Scale for Resistance Training Ratings of perceived exertion are a valid method of estimating the intensity of a resistance training…
Did you know that simply shifting your grip on a dumbbell can change muscle activation? Using an offset grip—where you hold the dumbbell closer to one side—tips the balance and increases recruitment of specific muscle fibers. For example, in biceps curls, positioning your hand toward the outer edge of the dumbbell targets the short head…
Ever notice that women and endurance athletes can perform more reps at a given intensity than the average guy? That’s because they typically have a higher percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers, making them more resistant to fatigue at submaximal loads. Research backs this up: Endurance Capacity of Untrained Males and Females (Maughan et al., 1986)…
Want to lift heavier? Try tricking your nervous system with these three advanced warm-up strategies: 1. Postactivation Potentiation (PAP) for Strength Gains Gradually ramp up your low-rep warm-up sets beyond your working weight. This primes your nervous system, making your work sets feel lighter and allowing you to lift more. 2. Chain-Loaded Warm-Ups for Speed…
Every personal trainer has heard this line a thousand times: “I need to start working out. I’m going to come see you.” Most people never follow through. At a recent party, my wife and I ran into someone we hadn’t seen in a while. Sure enough, he uttered those famous words—but not before this exchange:…
Bright blue light is great during the day—but at night, it can disrupt your sleep. One solution is orange-tinted glasses (see Why I Wear My Sunglasses at Night) to block blue light exposure. Another is software like f.lux to filter blue light from your computer screen. And now, thanks to Apple’s iOS 9.3 update, your…
Grade 9 was quite an experience—a new school, new classmates, and new teachers. But one teacher stood out more than the others: Mr. Carter, our physical education teacher. Think of him as a military sergeant in sweats. By the end of the school year, he had whipped us into shape—and his secret weapon? Push-ups. Lots…
Sometimes the best learning moments happen after a presentation—during the Q&A session. Take, for example, a talk given by Dr. Christopher Gardner, titled “The Battle of the Diets: Is Anyone Winning (at Losing)?” The presentation itself was informative, but some of the most valuable insights emerged after it ended, during the Q&A session. (Watch the…
I’m a stickler for sleep hygiene. When I say my room resembles a cave, I’m not joking! The temperature is cool, there’s no sound, and it’s pitch black—so dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face. These ideal conditions help me sleep well every night. I usually go to bed just after…
My 6-year-old son has become a wizard on digital devices. Hand him an iPhone, iPad, or iMac, and he’s right at home. Of course, I’m not a big fan of Wi-Fi, so I make sure he keeps any mobile device in airplane mode as much as possible. I’m also not a fan of the posture-destroying,…