Blog
From Zero to Two: Leo’s Chin-Up Breakthrough
When Leo began training with me in September 2024, our first goal was to improve body composition — lose fat, build a foundation. By May

A Compliment, Sort Of
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

Update Your iPhone iOS and Sleep Better
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

Get in Shape with Push-Ups
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

Don’t Leave a Presentation Before the Q&A
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

Intense Sunlight Promotes Deep Sleep
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

The 30-Minute Digital Time Rule
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

How to Bring Pasteurized Sauerkraut Back to Life
I take a probiotic every day, but not in pill or powder form. Instead, I get my daily dose from sauerkraut, a fermented vegetable packed

Set Your Alarm Clock for Bed
You should set your alarm not only to wake up in the morning but also to go to bed at night. Going to sleep and

Physical Attributes and Testing Procedures for Athletes
The following is part of an interview that Maximum Fitness Magazine conducted with me many years ago. I was asked about the physical attributes and

Training on an Empty Stomach
Listen in as I explain why training on an empty stomach can be detrimental and how to solve the problem. For a potent anti-catabolic and

Strength Training During Pregnancy
Maternal exercise during pregnancy offers numerous benefits: it can improve fitness, control weight gain and glucose levels, boost energy and mood, ease labor, enhance postpartum

It’s No Longer Cool to ICE
A growing body of evidence suggests that icing may not be the best approach for injury management. While it undoubtedly reduces pain, does it actually

The Results Look Good!
At the end of 2015, I introduced my new Brain & Brawn Formula. Subjective feedback has been great so far, and now I have some

Accommodating Resistance with Tubes & Bands (Part 2)
Thanks to contributions from Louie Simmons and Dave Tate, two coaches renowned for producing world-class strength athletes, the concept of accommodating resistance utilizing bands and

Accommodating Resistance with Tubes & Bands (Part 1)
Today, more training tools are available to personal trainers than ever before. How do you decide what equipment is best? It depends on the situation.

A Potent Sleep Elixir
Many people suffer from sleep-onset insomnia. It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re ready for bed, but sleep just won’t come. To help you drift

Keeping Up with Current Research (May 2016)
Staying up to date with scientific research can give health & fitness professionals an edge. Here are some recent findings to help you stay ahead

The Jon Snow of Forearm Training Equipment
We all knew Jon Snow was coming back to life—but The Formulator too? Who would’ve thought? What Is The Formulator? The Formulator is a unique

How to Determine the Optimal Number of Recovery Days for a Major Lift
Testing your strength levels each year isn’t just about structural balance—it’s also essential for determining the optimal training frequency for your lifts. The Recovery Test

Structural Balance Assessment Routine – Updated
This program is designed to assess structural balance while training. Built into the routine are key strength norms from respected authorities such as Al Vermeil,