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.
After 30 years in the fitness industry, John Paul Catanzaro explains why personal trainers must plan financially, build a sustainable business, and invest consistently for long-term success.
One of the biggest mistakes I see with chin-ups is relying too much on the arms instead of using the bigger and stronger muscles of the back. In this clip from a recent virtual coaching session, I demonstrate how to properly initiate the movement so the back does the work—not just the arms. It all…
When Leo began training with me in September 2024, our first goal was to improve body composition — lose fat, build a foundation. By May 2025, he was lean enough to start tackling chin-ups. The test? One honest attempt… and zero reps. That’s where the journey began. We kicked off with Phase 1: Eccentric Chin-Ups,…
Can’t Do a Chin-Up? Neither Could Leo… But That’s About to Change. Leo started training with me back in September. Our initial focus was body composition—shed fat, lay the foundation. Now that he’s lean enough, it’s time to build muscle, and few exercises rival the chin-up for upper-body strength and development. This morning, we tested…
The role of a personal trainer goes far beyond counting reps or demonstrating exercises. Clients often underestimate how much energy and behind-the-scenes work a trainer puts into each session — until the trainer isn’t there and they have to do it themselves. Many admit they get tired just loading and unloading the bar! The Physical…
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…
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!
The pandemic decimated many businesses in the fitness industry. Unless you were selling fitness equipment, you felt the impact! But with the bad came the good. Virtual training became popular and it’s still going strong today. Like other trainers, I had to quickly adapt. Virtual training was the obvious solution initially. Although I wasn’t sure…
Research can provide golden information to health and fitness professionals. Here are some recent findings from the Proceedings of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Annual General Meeting to help you stay ahead of the pack. Non-local Acute Stretching Effects on Range of Motion in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis (Behm et al.,…