Blog
The Biggest Assessment Mistakes Personal Trainers Make
After 30 years in the fitness industry, I’ve seen the same assessment mistakes repeated again and again. Many personal trainers overcomplicate the process with endless screens and diagnostics. In this article, I explain the most common assessment mistakes and how trainers can simplify their approach while still gathering the information they need.
An Annual Plan for Neck Training
Everyone trains their upper and lower back, glutes, hamstrings, and calves—but neck training often gets neglected. That’s a mistake! Remember: a chain is only as
Back-to-School Supplements
Things get busy—and potentially stressful—when kids head back to school. I’ve got three kids (one in grade school, one in high school, and one in
My Daily Coffee Ritual
Coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual. Here’s a glimpse into how I start (and sometimes end) my day. ☀️ Morning Ritual My stovetop espresso
Single-Leg Cable Romanian Deadlift
The Single-Leg Cable Romanian Deadlift is a deceptive exercise. Judy makes it look easy in the video, but don’t be fooled—it’s much more challenging than
Keeping Up with Current Research (August 2020)
Research can provide golden insights for health and fitness professionals. Here are some recent findings to help you stay ahead of the curve: High-Intensity Interval
15-Degree Incline Rope Triceps Extensions
Triceps extensions typically provide maximum overload when your forearms are parallel to the floor. However, performing them on a slight incline with cable resistance keeps
Heel-Elevated Side Step-Up
If you tend to lean too far forward during step-ups, this variation might be just what you need. The heel-elevated side step-up encourages a more
Not Everyone Experiences the Quarantine 15
When you move less and eat more, you gain weight. That’s what happened to many people during the COVID-19 lockdown—but not everyone experienced the dreaded
Reverse-Band California Press
The California press is a cross between a close-grip bench press and a lying triceps extension. It targets the triceps in a unique and highly
Break the Inertia to Get Stronger
Inserting strategic pauses when lifting weights is an excellent way to break inertia and increase muscular involvement. Pausing in the bottom position of a lift
Q&A with John Paul
Question:Hello John Paul, I purchased your ebook Lean and Mean (available here) and over the past 6 weeks have had great success gaining strength, building
Which is the Best Brand of Eggs?
Conestoga Farms is by far my favourite brand of eggs, but there was only one left this morning. Take a look at the difference in
Negative-Accentuated Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Try negative-accentuated lateral raises in your next shoulder workout. Raise the dumbbells with bent arms, then lower them slowly with your arms straight. This variation
3 Tips to Improve Your Sleep
Poor sleep can sabotage all your hard work in the kitchen and the gym. Don’t let it! Nutrition and exercise are important, no doubt—but sleep
Outdoor Training with a Sandbag
A sandbag is a fantastic tool for outdoor training. It provides a unique form of resistance that challenges stability, grip, and coordination. In this video,
Ring Dips Done Right
Dips on rings significantly increase stabilizer muscle activation. If you include a training phase with ring dips and then switch back to parallel-bar dips, don’t
Rear Delt Training
Looking to bring up your rear delts? Here are two effective exercises that target the back of the shoulders—one focuses on the contracted position, while
Fat-Loss, Muscle-Building Workout
If your goal is to lose body fat and gain muscle, here’s a great weight training strategy. It involves sequencing your exercises in a specific
High-Pulley Overhead Triceps Extension
Here’s a great triceps exercise I’m currently using: the high-pulley overhead triceps extension. It’s performed bent-over in a lunge position using a rope. As you
Walking Dumbbell/Xvest Lunge
The walking dumbbell lunge is a great exercise to do during a body composition phase, but as the weights go up, your grip will fatigue