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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.
A Good Problem for a Personal Trainer
Over the past week, I’ve run into a problem—a good problem, mind you—but a problem nonetheless. Four former clients want to return to training. The
Paused Close-Neutral-Grip Chin-Ups (5 Sets)
Paused reps can be a game-changer in your training. By deliberately stopping at key points during a lift, you reduce momentum, reinforce proper technique, and
Personal Training for Couples (Part 2)
Now it’s Barb’s turn to train upper body while Terry works his lower body. Strategic program design allows both of them to push hard in
Personal Training for Couples (Part 1)
While Terry focuses on upper-body strength, Barb targets her lower body with personalized training that suits her needs and past injuries. This is a great
Personal Training for Couples
Meet Barb and Terry. This husband-and-wife duo began training with me in November of 2017. Despite having different health histories and training goals, they wanted
How to Speed Up the Healing of a Buckle Fracture
Last week, my son suffered a buckle fracture during karate and now has to wear a splint for a month. We’re going to try to
My Thoughts on Intermittent Fasting
I worked hard for every ounce of muscle I’ve built over the years, and I’m not keen on losing any of it. That’s why I’m
Periodization of Rice
Nutrition Tip: In the winter, stick with white rice to help put on size and strength. As summer approaches, transition to wild rice or cauliflower
Heavy Hip Thrusts Are Dangerous
On an episode of the Live Life Aggressively podcast, guest Jerry Brainum discusses the dangers of hip thrusts. He references a report where a 36-year-old
A Deep Stretch for Your Chest
Horizontal adduction and internal rotation of the humerus are two primary functions of the pectoralis major muscle. To stretch this muscle, you would perform the
Interpreting Research
I regularly read research papers and always highlight sections that stand out. Here are some examples from recent readings, along with my interpretation of the
Our Top 10 Articles of 2018
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the most popular and impactful content we shared in 2018. From personal
Evening Yoga Improves REM Sleep
Normally, I do yoga on Thursday afternoons. But on October 26, I decided to try it in the evening around 7:30 p.m.—and then went to
Sunbathing Is Good, Sunburning Is Bad
Not long ago, Dr. Peter Osborne, author of No Grain, No Pain, gave a fascinating talk on vitamin D. Here are some key insights from
Stay Ahead of the Research
There’s a big difference between book smarts and gym smarts—and if you want long-term success as a personal trainer, you need both. Just because something
The News Is Spreading Fast: Use METH for Injuries
METH is a highly effective way to treat injuries—and no, I’m not talking about methamphetamine. METH stands for Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat, and it
A Potent One-Two Combination to Knock Out the Mid-Afternoon Slump
You can knock out the mid-afternoon slump with this potent one-two combo: a Chi Machine session followed by a dose of light therapy. You’ll feel
How I Saved My Mother’s Life
“Hi, is this John Paul Catanzaro?” “Yes, it is. Who’s calling?” “I’m a lab technician at the Princess Margaret Hospital. We’ve analyzed your blood, and
A Tribute to Charles Poliquin
Last week, the strength community experienced a huge loss with the passing of Charles Poliquin. Charles was a highly successful strength and conditioning coach—a thought-leader
The Best Workout Music
Cueing the right muscles at the right time can make all the difference during strength training. Next time you deadlift, crank this song! In all