Should AI Replace Humans in Personal Training?

Many individuals seek out personal training for the value of one-on-one mentoring and learning from experts in the fitness field. They like having a program tailored to their precise needs and a caring, compassionate partner alongside them on their challenging journey to better health. Recently, we have observed a shift away from human trainers towards […]

Plyometrics, Explosive Contractions, and Power: Meeting the Client’s Goals

In the realm of fitness and athletic performance, explosive strength training stands out as one of many components that can dramatically enhance a client’s physical capabilities, functional strength and overall mobility for everyday activities. This form of training varies greatly from traditional weightlifting, where the goal of hypertrophy takes center stage. This article explores variations in training […]

Reaching the Peak: Benefits of Training in Altitude Chambers

Altitude training, also known as hypoxic training, refers to the manner in which athletes purposefully train in high-altitude areas or subject themselves to artificial hypoxia using specialized chambers. Athletes who participate in endurance sports find this training method well-suited to improving their aerobic capacity, and typically will confer a more competitive edge in their performance […]

Power Skills for Personal Trainers

The “softer side” of coaching refers to the psychological, emotional, and communication skills that coaches and trainers rely on to better empower their clients. While strength training and building lean muscle mass may top a client’s list, qualities such as empathy, active listening, and built-in accountability will drive lasting behavior change, prevent burnout, and build […]

A Focus on Time: Hour-Long Training Sessions or Multiple 30-Minute Workouts?

The gym where I have worked for almost 4 decades recently considered encouraging clients to purchase 30-minute personal training sessions, perhaps twice weekly, rather than having them sign up for one-hour weekly sessions. The trainers met this with mixed reactions. This article explores the benefits and shortfalls of both types of personal training. Often, it […]

How to Read Scientific Disagreement Without Picking Sides

One of the things I enjoy most about teaching at the university level is helping students become more scientifically literate. In exercise science, that doesn’t simply mean learning anatomy, physiology, or biomechanics. It means learning how to evaluate evidence, question assumptions, recognize bias, and become comfortable with complexity. Perhaps most importantly, it means resisting the […]

Is Muscle-Centric Medicine Wrong? Understanding Why the Science Seems to Disagree

When Good Scientists Reach Different Conclusions In the previous article, we explored one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding skeletal muscle. Rather than asking whether muscle mass matters, we concluded that a much more useful question is which characteristics of skeletal muscle best predict long-term health, functional capacity, and longevity. As it turns out, muscle quantity, […]

Do Longevity Clinics Offer a Realistic Hope of Healthier, Longer Lives?

Star Trek, the long-running television show that brought the realm of science fiction into our living rooms, starred a character whose byline was “Live long and prosper.” Now it seems that research has propelled us into a future in which individuals may live longer, healthier lives. This article explores the birth of “longevity clinics”: what […]

Recovery Lounges Can Propel Clients to Greater Gains

Today’s personal training clients seek more than just well-equipped workout spaces. Recovery has evolved into a nonnegotiable aspect of modern fitness regimens. It drives performance gains, extends athletic longevity, and enhances overall well-being. Recognizing the importance of recovery in an overall wellness program has prompted a surge of “recovery lounges” in clubs across the country. […]

The Japanese Art of Interval Walking Training

Many of today’s fitness-focused social media platforms are talking about a new trend called Japanese Walking. This exercise method boasts broad appeal due to its relative simplicity and high success rates. This article discusses the origins and specifics of this popular sport, and we will delve into the health benefits associated with regular participation. Walking […]