The Value of Suspension Training
I can still recall my first impression of seeing a suspension trainer back in 2009. It consisted of two nylon straps webbed together and anchored to the ceiling at my local gym. I honestly thought it was a gimmicky product and would be only good for group exercise classes. I mean, how could you possibly […]
Suspension Trainer Tricep Extension
Using a suspension trainer should be in every trainer’s toolbox because of its inherent convenience, versatility, and impressive efficacy. There are endless possibilities for exercise options, limited only by creativity. The suspension tricep extension is one of the best exercises for integrating core work with targeted arm work. You are basically getting the benefits from […]
Assess, Don’t Guess: Using Assessments to Support Client Coaching
As personal trainers we must take our due diligence to keep our clients safe and injury-free in tandem with helping them reach their goals. Before your new client picks up so much as a dumbbell, a savvy trainer will take the time to perform various performance and postural assessments. An assessment is an opportunity to […]
The Importance of Programming Exercise Regressions
I always say a skilled personal trainer is not about being hard or tough but one that meets a client where they are and gradually progress them to achieve a greater level of fitness. Most of the time, especially for clients that are over 40 and or just getting back into working out, making an […]
How to Do a Kickstand Romanian Deadlift
When done correctly, single-leg Romanian deadlifts are a terrific exercise. The keyword here is “correctly”. Because this variation on a deadlift is a difficult and advanced exercise, it takes time to master or, at least, to execute effectively. You could always stick with bilateral Romanian deadlifts, but your clients will miss out on the benefits […]
Do This, Not This, Do That: The Optimal Method to Demo’ing Exercises
Do you ever get frustrated trying to get clients to do an exercise correctly? I certainly have. Sometimes I ask myself if I said too much or not enough, which perhaps lead to confusion and a complete botchery of the exercise demonstrated. Through my experience as a personal trainer and managing other trainers in my […]
How to Do the Pallof Press
I’ve found that the exercises that look the least complicated are typically the best for you. At first glance, the Pallof Press would certainly fit that description. There’s very little movement to it, which is what makes the exercise feel much harder than it looks; you have to resist movement in order to effectively train […]
Medicine Ball Training: History, Power Exercises, and Considerations for Singles and Partners
The Medicine ball is now a standard accessory in our gyms and in our workouts. We can easily find a variety of wall balls and slam balls, some filled with sand, some stitched kevlar, and some solid rubber meant to bounce like a super-ball. Some medicine ball exercises are fairly straight forward like an overhead […]
10 Rules for Fitness After 40
The average age of over half of personal training clients is 45 years old. Over the past 13 years as a personal trainer, I’ve had the pleasure to train a large number of clients including a majority over the age of 40. Through my experience and research, I’ve put together 10 rules for “fitness after […]
The Physiology of Fat Loss: Understanding the Hierarchy
Fat loss training can be very confusing for our personal training clients and even for their coaches, but it doesn’t have to be. Unfortunately, a common belief held by many of our clients is that more cardio is best, and the longer the workouts the better results you will have. This notion is not only […]