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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.
Better Than a Condom?
I get asked all sorts of health-related questions on a daily basis. Many people are searching for natural alternatives to the conventional medical approach. One
Carbs, Caffeine, and Training: A New Approach for Muscle Growth
Constant learning and experimentation are what I’m all about. I love trying out different methods from various sources, then tweaking those protocols to meet the
Thick-Bar Chin-Ups
Thick-bar training can be useful for martial artists—just don’t overdo it. It has the potential to cause tendinitis if used too frequently. Sixteen-year-old Aiden is
Pick the Fruit While Others Study the Roots
I read research papers on a regular basis. It helps me stay current in the field, but my approach to personal training is based first
Exercise Equipment That Lasts a Lifetime
Take a look at the photo below—that’s a client’s home gym. He and his wife have trained with me for over 20 years. At first,
Sumo Deadlifts With Straps
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.
Sumo Deadlifts No Straps
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.
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
Very Important Information About BCAAs
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
Take Pre-Workout Supplements Post-Workout As Well
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
The Greatest Health Debate of the 21st Century
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
Identical Twins, Non-Identical Aging
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
Injury Treatment with METH (not RICE)
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,
The Choices You Make in 2018
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
The Broomstick Ritual for a Bigger Bench and Deeper Squat
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
Top 3 Articles of the Year
Here are the top three articles that caught the most attention this year: 1. 8 Injections That Heal InjuriesThis article received over 140,000 views on
A Lateral Raise from Beyond 2001
If you’ve been doing lateral raises for years but your shoulders haven’t budged, science may be able to help. Muscle growth requires a sufficient amount
4 Tips to Live By
Here are four practical tips to live by—simple, effective habits that can make a big difference. (Click on each image for more details.) 1. Go
This Injury Prevention Assessment Fails Again
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is popular with many personal trainers—but not so much with researchers. A recent systematic review suggests the FMS isn’t a
Prioritize to Enter the Eye of the Storm
If you place yourself in the eye of a storm, you can have all kinds of chaos going on around you, but you’ll stay centered