Becoming a successful personal trainer requires more than just knowledge of exercises and anatomy—it demands professionalism, communication skills, and a commitment to growth. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned coach, the following ten rules will help you elevate your practice, deliver better results, and build lasting client relationships. Rule 1: Safety First…
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for overall health, recovery, and productivity. Many factors can affect sleep quality—noise, light, and temperature among them—but one simple, often-overlooked strategy may make a big difference: ventilation. A recent study in Building and Environment titled “A field intervention study of the effects of window and door opening on…
Last Wednesday, my client Elise hobbled into the studio after rolling her ankle. She was in a lot of pain. “You’ve got to help me, John Paul. I’m traveling next week and my schedule is packed. I don’t have time for this!” “Do exactly what I tell you,” I replied, “and this will be gone…
Looking for a way to enhance your recovery after weight training? Try taking a sauna! Adding a 20- to 30-minute sauna session after your workout can provide a host of benefits—especially during a deset week, when training volume is intentionally reduced to set up a bigger peak the following week. Since workouts are shorter during…
Are you looking to maximize your gains from muscle strength, power, or hypertrophy training? It may be time to rethink the traditional post-workout ice bath. Dr. Nick Tiller has shed light on why this popular recovery practice could actually be holding you back (Twitter link). Let’s explore the evidence and then point you toward a…
I like to program ring dips after 3–4 rounds of parallel-bar dips. The rings force your stabilizers to work harder, which not only makes the exercise more demanding but also carries over to stronger performance back on the parallel bars. And with more strength, you can build more muscle. That’s the upside. The downside is…
A proper back squat should look like this: sit straight down with maximum knee bend and minimal trunk lean (see video below). Unfortunately, many lifters end up doing more of a “good morning” movement — minimal knee bend and excessive trunk lean — which shifts the focus away from the legs and onto the lower…
This video demonstrates two variations that target the subscapularis — a key shoulder-stabilizing muscle often overlooked in training: If you’re new to these movements, begin with the pulldown variation using a manageable weight to develop proper control. Once you can perform it smoothly and with good form, progress to the pull-up version. Over time, this…
Hard work pays off! Check out these results… What a great story! If you’re ready to make a change, don’t wait any longer. You’re not a personal trainer, so hire a professional and do it right!
Gauging your readiness to train can be done in many ways. I discuss several methods in The Elite Trainer, but one tool that has become quite popular is the Oura Ring, which gives you a daily readiness score upon awakening. Recently, I went on a vacation to the Dominican Republic. I laid in the sun…