The Show Up Fitness Podcast

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A personal training certification can get you hired, but it will not automatically make you feel like a coach, and Lily says the quiet part out loud. She joins us from Phoenix, Arizona to share what it's really like starting out at a busy commercial gym: the fast hiring process, the pressure to deliver results, and the moment you realize the textbook did not prepare you for “my back hurts” on the training floor. We dig into the numbers behind trainer pay, including base hourly wages, commission, one-on-one sessions, semi-private training, and small group training. We also talk about the part nobody wants to admit: when the gym keeps most of the session revenue, “just add more hours” becomes the default advice, and that is how talented trainers burn out while still living paycheck to paycheck. If you've searched personal trainer salary, Anytime Fitness trainer pay, or how to make a career in fitness, this conversation gives you a clear-eyed look at the trade-offs. Lily also explains why hands-on continuing education changed everything. After a weekend seminar focused on coaching, assessments, and real-world problem solving, she starts using tools that help clients feel better fast and helps her stay within scope of practice. We close with a mindset check for new and experienced trainers alike: ask for help, keep leveling up, and choose an environment that rewards skill, not just session volume. If you get value from this, subscribe, share the episode with a trainer friend, and leave a rating and review so more coaches can find it.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Shoulder pain? Become a SUF-STM soft tissue mobilization with access to the Prehab Guys Exercise Library to charge more as a personal trainer.Shoulder pain during overhead training isn't just a “tight muscle” problem, and it definitely isn't fixed by tossing random stretches at it. We break down scapular upward rotation in plain coaching terms, starting with a simple client screen: hands overhead, cross-body scapula touch, behind-the-back position, and quick strength checks that tell you when to refer out to a DPT. If you're a personal trainer or lifter who keeps feeling that annoying pinch or shrugging every rep, this gives you a safer, smarter starting point.From there, we get specific about the upward rotators of the scapula: upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior. We explain what each muscle contributes, why the upper traps tend to “turn on” first, and how that timing issue can create compensation during pressing and pulling. Instead of trying to eliminate upper traps, we coach synchronization so serratus and lower traps share the load and your overhead mechanics stop falling apart.We also show how we organize shoulder pain training with a repeatable sequence: soft tissue mobilization, mobility, one to two stability drills, then real strength work. We talk through warm-ups like foam roller push-ups for protraction, pressing choices like the landmine press for cleaner upward rotation, and how to pair pushes and pulls without gassing the exact muscles you need to keep the first press honest. We even cover using a prehab exercise library to assign homework that clients will actually follow.If you want better shoulder health, better overhead pressing, and a plan you can run today, listen now, share this with a training partner, and subscribe and leave a review with your biggest shoulder pain question.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Become a nutrition coach w/ SUF-NC to work alongside of RD's and drive in streams of revenue. SUF-NC on average make an additional 30k per monthWhy is fat loss so confusing? Because trainers are taught shortcuts instead of systems.In episode 1 of the How to Become a Nutrition Coach series, we break down the 1st law of thermodynamics, calories in vs calories out, and why energy balance still matters 100% of the time. We also discuss why humans aren't robots and how sleep, stress, hunger, environment, hydration, hormones, and habits all influence fat loss adherence.Better understand the law of thermodynamics and what a calorie is. Why does calories in vs calories out always work, but there are other factors that influence this such as hunger, hormones, sleep, stress, genetics, metabolic disease, environmental factors, and habits. If you want to become a successful personal trainer and better nutrition coach, you need to understand behavior modification, not just meal plans.KEEP SHOWING UP!Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!SUF NASM Guide: How to pass the NASM CPT exam in 2026 without reading 800 pages. In this Show Up Fitness podcast, we break down the 7 most important NASM CPT topics including the OPT model, overhead squat assessment, planes of motion, muscle imbalances, behavior change, programming, and nutrition. Show Up Fitness has helped 10,000+ trainers pass NASM, ACE, and ISSA faster with quizzes, study guides, weekly calls, and real coaching. KEEP SHOWING UP![Most NASM CPT prep advice pushes you toward the same mistake: read the whole textbook, take random quizzes, and hope your anxiety does not spike on test day. We take the opposite approach. We narrow your attention to the high-impact concepts the NASM personal trainer exam leans on again and again, then show you how to recognize the patterns behind the questions so you can answer faster with more confidence.We start with the basics that buy you easy points: anatomy direction terms and planes of motion, plus simple exercise examples you can recall under pressure. From there we hit behavior change coaching and the stages of change, along with key terms like open kinetic chain versus closed kinetic chain and the roles of agonist, synergist, stabilizer, and antagonist. If you have ever felt like you “knew the material” but still missed questions, this is where the test language starts to make sense.Then we get into the meat: assessments, subjective versus objective information, and how NASM loves to test compensations through overactive and underactive muscle groups, especially with the overhead squat assessment. We also break down the NASM OPT model and acute variables, including the numbers that matter for tempo, reps, rest, and intensity, so you can stop guessing which phase a movement belongs to and start selecting the best answer consistently.If you want to pass the NASM CPT exam without wasting months on low-value studying, press play. Subscribe for more no-fluff coaching talk, share this with a friend who is cramming, and leave a review so more trainers can find it.]Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Shoulder Pain? SHOWUP20 for 20% off Prehab Guys exercise library for training clients in pain w/ the CCA program. Shoulder pain is everywhere in fitness, and the fastest way to lose trust is to improvise “rehab” when you should be screening, referring, and coordinating care. We walk through what it looks like to stay in your lane as a personal trainer while still delivering real value for clients dealing with shoulder pain, past shoulder surgery, or limited overhead range of motion. If you want a practical playbook for training around pain without pretending to be a clinician, this conversation is built for you.We share how we think about shoulder screens, what movement checks help us decide whether training is appropriate, and why a strong relationship with a physical therapist changes everything. You'll hear a real-world handoff example of an older client with a complicated shoulder history, plus how we communicate so the client is supported instead of bounced between opinions. We also talk candidly about professionalism, pricing, and why skilled training paired with PT collaboration is worth more than generic workouts.Then we get tactical: how we use a prehab exercise library to choose smart correctives, how we assign simple homework, and how we build a shoulder-friendly circuit template that progresses from easier to harder work. We cover push-up regressions, rowing choices like bands and TRX, a more shoulder-friendly split stance overhead press, and how to swap movements quickly when something flares up. You'll leave with clearer programming principles for shoulder health, rotator cuff tolerance, scapular control, and strength training that respects pain signals.If this helped, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a quick review so more coaches learn how to train shoulders safely. What shoulder movement gives you the most trouble right now?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!You can rest an injury until it “feels fine” and still end up stuck at 80%. That's the trap that keeps athletes and active adults cycling through flare-ups, compensations, and reinjuries and it's exactly what we dig into with Dr. David Waltman, DPT.We talk about what most people never get from the traditional physical therapy clinic model: clear expectations. David breaks down why rushed visits and insurance-driven schedules can leave patients without the education that actually drives recovery. We get specific about what good rehab coaching looks like: knowing your phase of healing, understanding realistic timelines, and progressing with intent instead of chasing a random “quick fix” from Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.Then we pivot to the solution David built after the pandemic pushed him into mobile concierge PT: KESI, an AI-assisted physical therapy and rehab programming app designed to stay evidence-based, affordable, and scalable. We cover who it's for, when you should still see a provider in person (especially acute injuries with swelling, limping, or trauma), and how KESI helps you through the messy middle after pain starts to fade. We also get into load management fundamentals, including tracking volume, pain, and RPE, plus the safeguards that keep a real clinician supervising progress.If you're a personal trainer, coach, or lifter who wants smarter injury rehab, better return-to-sport decisions, and a clearer roadmap from pain to performance, this one will sharpen how you think and how you program. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with your biggest rehab question so we can tackle it next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Show Up Fitness has helped more trainers get hired at Life Time than any company. In fact, 2025 we had 3 SUF-CPTs who were top performers bringing in over 200k into the company (Yes, it's possible to make over 100k as a QUALIFIED personal trainer.) How to get hired at life time?The Lifetime Fitness practical can feel like a performance test, but it's really a professionalism test disguised as a workout. We walk through exactly how we approach it so you can show up calm, prepared, and unmistakably hire-ready. From arriving 30 minutes early to dressing like a coach, we explain the small signals that tell a manager you're reliable, confident, and ready to work with real members on day one. Then we get into the coaching that wins the room: how to read the floor, run a quick medical screen, and handle common issues like shoulder limitations without freezing. We share a simple, repeatable programming framework built on movement patterns (lower body, push or pull, accessory/core), plus practical modifications that keep the session safe and effective even when a client can't do the “ideal” version. If you want to sound like you know the why behind your choices, this is the blueprint. Finally, we go where most trainers get uncomfortable: the sit-down sales conversation. We role-play how to ask how often they want to train, how to talk about pricing with confidence, how to respond to objections, and why Lifetime personal training can create bigger earning opportunities when you pair great coaching with clear communication. If you're serious about getting hired and building a real income as a personal trainer, subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the part you want us to break down next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A client leaves a voicemail that would make most trainers panic: “I'm 79 years old, I had a hemorrhagic stroke, and I need someone to train me at home.” We're joined by Poojan from Shaw Athletics to walk through what happens next, step by step, and how a qualified coach thinks about safety, scope, and real progress with a stroke survivor who still wants to feel strong and capable.We start with what took Poojan from “textbook cert” to real coach: getting in rooms where serious education and serious people show up. He shares what he learned at the Real Coaches Summit, why networking with doctors, DPTs, OTs, and dietitians changes the results your clients get, and how those connections keep you from guessing when the stakes are high. Then we zoom into the case study: movement screens, medical clearance, collecting contraindications from physical therapists, and using a gait belt to protect the client and build confidence while walking and training.You'll also hear the business side that too many trainers ignore. Poojan explains how his Google Business Profile drives consistent personal training leads, why five-star reviews matter for “personal trainer near me” searches, and how “provide real value” becomes a repeatable marketing system. If you care about senior fitness, stroke recovery training, strength training for longevity, and ethical coaching that works with medical professionals instead of competing with them, this one is packed.Subscribe, share this with a trainer who needs it, and leave a review if the episode helps you coach with more confidence and care.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!IG: dr_tebos Physical Therapist in Kentucky. Most people treat an ankle sprain like a simple checklist: rest, ice, wait, repeat. That advice can feel comforting and still be wrong for your recovery timeline.We sit down with physical therapist Dr. TeBos to unpack what ice actually does in the body, why inflammation is a normal part of tissue healing, and how pain relief can sometimes compete with the adaptations you want. We get specific about when icing makes sense (especially in the first 24 to 48 hours for pain modulation) and when “icing it just to ice it” can slow the process by limiting blood flow and the cleanup work your body needs to do.From there we move to a more useful model: MEAT (movement, exercise, analgesics, treatment). We talk about how to keep an injured area safely moving without overloading it, how compression and elevation can help when swelling blocks joint range of motion, and why post-surgery swelling can shut down muscle firing through arthrogenic inhibition. We also tackle the hot topics people argue about online: contrast therapy, ice baths after lifting, and the tradeoffs if hypertrophy is your goal.Finally, we dig into why ankle sprains are often a proprioception and nerve problem, not just “loose ligaments,” and why boots can backfire by creating fast weakness and dulling the feedback you need to return to sport. We close with real talk on how trainers and physical therapists can collaborate better, and what a good referral relationship looks like.Subscribe, share this with a training partner who still swears by RICE, and leave a review with your biggest recovery question.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Become a nutrition coach w/ SUF NC working alongside RD's to build you team and streams of revenue.Torey Berry, SUF instructor talks about her success with having an RD on her team.Most personal trainers talk about nutrition all day and still leave money and results on the table. We want the opposite: clear boundaries, better outcomes, and a real nutrition coaching offer that clients happily pay for. That starts by putting a Registered Dietitian on your team so you can stay in your scope of practice while delivering higher-level support.We dig into how this looks with real clients, including a PCOS and prediabetes scenario where insulin resistance and blood sugar response matter. You'll hear why the goal is not “no carbs,” but smarter carbs with more fiber, better structure, and the right context. When an RD drives the nutrition strategy, clients get safer guidance, trainers stop guessing, and the coaching conversation becomes more credible and more effective.From there, we lay out the business model: how we introduce the RD, when we bring nutrition into the coaching timeline, and how we price tiered packages that include consults, weekly logs, and optional meal plans. We also talk systems for scaling without burnout, plus creative add-ons like bringing in a private chef to teach cooking and prep so clients can actually execute.Finally, we get tactical about networking: what to say when you email or DM a dietitian, how to interview for fit, how bartering can work, and how to loop in medical weight loss doctors to build a referral network that benefits everyone. If you want to separate yourself in a crowded personal training market with a professional team approach, press play, then subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!One canceled client should not be able to wreck your entire month. We're laying out a clean, numbers-first blueprint for personal trainers who want a sustainable six-figure personal training business without grinding 50 sessions a week. The framework is a 60/30/10 revenue split that adds up to $100,000 per year: a strong core of in-person training, a second stream that can cover real life bills, and a third stream that grows your income without more floor hours.We walk through the real math behind stream one, including why you should book more sessions than you “need” because clients cancel, and how gym commission splits can quietly cap your income. Then we get into the biggest missed opportunity we see in the fitness industry: trainers giving nutrition guidance away for free. We explain how to set professional boundaries, introduce nutrition coaching after a consistent first month, and communicate pricing in a way that feels clear instead of pushy. We also talk about building a team with registered dietitians and physical therapists so you can serve clients better and stand out as a qualified coach.Finally, we break down a simple online coaching plan and social media marketing approach that works even with a small audience. If you've ever said “I only have 300 followers,” we challenge that mindset and show how to turn engagement into real conversations with sincere messages that cut through AI automation. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches can keep showing up.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Rowing exposes your weak links fast: sloppy wrists, rushed recovery, too much layback, and suddenly your “cardio day” turns into cranky elbows, tight hip flexors, or a low-back flare-up. We want trainers and everyday lifters to use the rower as a real conditioning tool, not a pain generator, so we walk through the exact cues we coach for a clean, powerful stroke and how to fix the most common errors.We start with a simple form breakdown you can apply immediately: hands on the outside of the handle, wrists flat, elbows out and back, and a consistent finish with the handle coming in just below the chest. Then we dial in the layback target (think 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock) so you stay braced and efficient without overleaning. The recovery gets special attention too, because sequencing is everything: push the handle down and away with straight arms, lean forward, and keep the handle traveling over your knees before your legs bend.From there, we zoom out into a trainer-friendly needs analysis: the muscles and joints doing the work, the planes of motion involved, and the overuse injuries that show up when tissue capacity can't match volume. You'll also hear practical accessory work ideas, including isometric elbow strengthening, hip flexor work with dorsiflexion, and frontal plane stability drills to keep your hips resilient. We wrap with rowing bioenergetics and nutrition coaching basics, including carb guidance and when glucose gels make sense for longer efforts, plus details on our monthly rowing challenge, leaderboard, and the $500 prize.Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches can stop guessing and start coaching better. What's your meter goal for the month?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Struggling with programming for your personal training clients? Enter the 8 core movement patterns and the CCA within the SUF CPT.Most training plans fall apart for one simple reason: they're built on random exercises instead of a clear movement system. We walk through the eight core movement patterns we use to coach real people and to get consistent results, whether you're training general population clients, athletes, or yourself. You'll hear how we think about vertical push and vertical pull, horizontal push and horizontal pull, unilateral work, squats, hinges, and transitional patterns so every exercise has a job and every progression is earned.We get specific on the “why” behind common lifts: which muscles drive each pattern, what joint actions matter, and where coaches usually go wrong. We talk shoulder-friendly pressing choices like the landmine press when overhead range is limited, why eccentrics are a cheat code for building pull-ups, and how too much fixed-scapula pressing can sneakily beat up shoulder health. On the lower-body side, we lay out practical progressions for step-ups, lunges, squats, and hinge work, plus the mistakes that turn a hinge into a quad-dominant pattern.We also hit two topics that every trainer needs in their toolbox: breathing mechanics and pain myths. If someone can't run well, sprinting volume has to match tissue capacity. And “deadlifts are bad for your back” misses the real issue: mechanics, progression, and exposure over time.To tie it all together, we share a simple CCA programming template that's plug-and-play for full-body training with a push emphasis or lower-body emphasis, plus how we use accessories to keep sessions fun without compromising force production. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review. What movement pattern do you need to coach better next?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Meet SAM & Paul. SUF-CPTs who are discussing ways to get clients at big box gyms. Sam already has 3 clients at Equinox and she was hired within 4-weeks with her SUF-CPT.The fastest way to get personal training clients at a big box gym is not a clever pitch. It is being the trainer people actually see, trust, and remember. We're joined by Sam, a brand-new Equinox trainer who's already built momentum in her first month, and her story turns “getting clients” from a vague hope into a repeatable plan.We talk through the real-world tactics that work at high-end gyms like Equinox and Lifetime, and also translate perfectly to Crunch, LA Fitness, and EOS. Sam explains her gym-floor outreach script, why a clipboard helps, and how she offers a complimentary assessment that feels helpful instead of pushy. We also dig into guided tours that convert by delivering an “Equinox experience” with a modified movement screen, a full-body session, and smart finishing touches that make prospects feel taken care of.Then we lay out three core strategies for personal trainer marketing inside a gym: be present when members train, run simple workshops that generate leads, and always be training someone so your coaching is visible. You'll hear practical workshop ideas like a grip strength leaderboard and a blood pressure check, plus how to follow up ethically, educate members on what their numbers mean, and build credibility by networking with medical professionals when appropriate. If you're serious about filling your schedule, growing your fitness business, and standing out in a crowded personal training industry, this is your playbook.Subscribe for more trainer tactics, share this with a coach who needs clients, and leave a review with the one strategy you'll try on your next floor shift.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!You can spend weeks “learning” the NASM CPT textbook and still walk into the exam feeling blind sided. We take the opposite approach: study to pass, fast. If you're stuck on the OPT model, acute variables, tempos, and rest periods, this conversation turns the chaos into a simple set of rules you can memorize and apply under pressure.We walk through the kinds of NASM practice questions that cause panic, like identifying which OPT phase uses stable to unstable supersets, what 4-2-1-1 and 2-0-2-0 tempos actually mean, and why “maximal power” style wording can be a trick. Then we zoom out and show you the map of the OPT model: stabilization, strength focused phases, hypertrophy or muscular development, maximal strength, and power with post-activation potentiation. Along the way we give you a straight method for thinking through exercises like bench press to push-up, heavy lifts paired with throws or jumps, and what the test expects you to recall about sets, reps, and intensity.We also get honest about the part nobody tells you: passing the personal trainer certification doesn't make you good at coaching. Clients don't pay for textbook terms, they pay for results, confidence, and problem solving. That's why our north star is simple: pass the NASM CPT exam efficiently, then build the real skills that keep trainers in the game beyond year one.Subscribe for more practical CPT exam prep, share this with a friend who's cramming right now, and leave a review with the one topic you want us to break down next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Anyone can get certified. Very few know how to charge.Most trainers underprice because they lack confidence, experience, and a real system. So they default to $40 to $60 sessions… and wonder why they burn out.In this episode, we break down how to actually set your personal training rates based on value, not fear.You'll learn: Why cheap trainers struggle to survive  How to justify $100 to $300 per session  The biggest pricing mistakes trainers make  How to increase your rates without losing clients  Why confidence, assessments, and results drive income If you want to become a successful trainer, you can't think like the average trainer.Pass fast. Get real experience. Charge based on value.KEEP SHOWING UP.Comment SUF CPT if you want help becoming a successful trainer.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Your knee pain might not be a “weak glute” problem or a fancy gadget problem. It might be one missing piece of motion: full knee extension. When the knee can't straighten, the quad stays inhibited, your gait gets weird, and every step becomes practice at not using the muscle that's supposed to protect the joint. That's why we brought on Dr. Justin Farnsworth, physical therapist and founder of Rebuilt Strength Method and Pro App, to give coaches and lifters a clear plan they can actually run on the gym floor. We dig into a simple terminal knee extension screen you can do in minutes, why a low load long duration stretch can be the test and the fix, and how to decide whether you should refer out. Then we shift into anterior knee pain and patellofemoral pain syndrome, why soft tissue work can turn down symptoms briefly, and why the real long-term answer is building tissue capacity with smart loading. Dr. Farnsworth breaks down his go-to isometrics for knee pain relief, including the Spanish squat isometric and how to adjust depth so sensitive knees can still train. We also talk progressions back to squats, split squats, step ups, and step downs, plus a straightforward routine to keep extension once you get it. If you coach clients with knee discomfort, want better knee rehab outcomes, or you just want stronger quads without fear, this one is packed with tools. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a coach who trains people in pain, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find the show.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Push the house gym (Pinellas Ultimate Strength House) in Tampa, FL will be hosting Show Up Fitness and our level 2 seminar May 30/31st Saturday 12-5, Sunday 9-1.General Manager Javi Fraga IG-jfragatrainingYou can have an exercise science degree, know every muscle action, and still fail as a coach if you can't run a session that makes a real person feel seen, safe, and confident. That gap between knowing and doing is where most personal trainers stall and where great gyms quietly separate themselves from the pack.We talk with Fraga, the 26-year-old general manager of Push The House (Pinellas Ultimate Strength House) in Largo near Tampa, about what it takes to build trainers who can actually coach. He shares how he went from a track background and early “pain-free performance” interests to leading a strength gym day to day after the owners moved out of state. We unpack what college does well, where it often misses, and why a gym's onboarding process matters as much as its equipment list.From hiring and internship design to baseline testing, templates for programming, and the reality that clients don't care about “sciencey” terms, we get practical about communication, cueing, and integrity. We also dig into gym management choices that shape retention and culture: paying interns, hiring trainers as employees, building marketing funnels that support coaches, and using a mission and vision as real operating principles rather than slogans.If you care about personal trainer certification, strength and conditioning education, gym culture, or building a career that lasts, you'll leave with a clearer standard and a few concrete ideas you can apply immediately. Subscribe, share this with a trainer who wants to level up, and leave a rating and review so more coaches can find the show.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!You can take classes six days a week, sweat through your clothes, and still feel stuck when you want bigger glutes, a tighter waist, and that athletic “trained” look. We're talking about the classic cardio bunny: the ClassPass regular who does Pilates, yoga, and body pump style workouts, yet never gets the overload needed for real muscle growth. The fix is not more exhaustion. The fix is a better assessment and a plan that matches the goal. We walk through how we run the initial consultation like pros: PAR-Q basics, training history, and the most important part, finding the real “why” behind the goal. We also cover SMART goals that are specific, measurable, realistic, and tied to a timeline that makes sense. If the client says they want to lose weight and build glutes, we explain how body recomposition actually works, why the scale can lie, and what to track instead, including measurements and strength standards. Then we take it to the gym floor with a clear assessment workout blueprint built around the movements that drive glute hypertrophy and total-body strength: loaded reverse lunges, RDL hinge work, chin-up progressions, and hip thrust or goblet options depending on skill and equipment. Finally, we get real about the business side of personal training: presenting packages calmly, handling “too expensive,” and navigating “I need to talk to my husband” with a human conversation rooted in value, emotion, and results. Subscribe for more coaching and training strategy, share this with a trainer or gym friend, and leave a review with your biggest fitness plateau right now.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Meathead_rehab = DPT breakdown of the FMS.A movement screen can feel like a truth serum, but what if it's really just a narrow test that gets mistaken for a diagnosis? We sit down with Dr Motley (DPT) to talk through the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), why it often fails great athletes, and how it gets misused by trainers and clinicians who turn scores into scary predictions. If you've ever heard “you're a 1 here, so you're going to get hurt,” we unpack why that claim doesn't hold up and what to do instead. We dig into the real-world difference between screening and coaching: using simple observations to guide training versus letting a system dictate every “corrective” choice. We also get honest about the incentives that push fear-based messaging in fitness and insurance-based physical therapy, and why movement optimism matters more than posture perfection. Along the way, we hit evidence-based practice as it's meant to be used: balancing research, client preferences, and professional experience so you can make better decisions with real humans. Then we go after a classic hot button: foam rolling, fascia talk, and the myth of “breaking up adhesions.” We're not here to ban tools that help people feel better, but we are here to stop wasting half a session on rituals that replace strength work and confidence-building training. If you want a practical, common-sense approach to assessment, rehab, and performance that keeps people lifting and moving, you'll get a ton from this conversation. Subscribe, share with a coach friend, and leave a review. What's the worst movement screen take you've heard?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A client tells you they have diabetes, hands you their card, signs up for training and then refuses to get medical clearance. Do you keep the money and train them anyway, or do you draw a hard line and risk the refund? We walk through the real decision personal trainers face when safety, ethics, and liability collide, including why “it depends” really means “it depends on your documentation and your preparedness.” We break down the types of diabetes (type 1, type 2, and gestational) and what personal trainers are most likely to see in the gym. From there we get practical about diabetes and exercise: how full body strength training can drive glucose into working muscles, how blood glucose can drop into a hypoglycemic state, and what the warning signs can look like in real time. We also cover what actually helps in an emergency, why fast sugar wins, and why solid foods can create a choking risk when someone is woozy or fading. Then we zoom out to the professional standard of care: medical clearance, assessment, ACSM style risk stratification, and why a history like a prior heart attack changes everything. We also talk trainer insurance, what happens when things go to court, and how to turn clearance into a networking advantage by building a real relationship with a client's doctor. If you care about being a qualified personal trainer and protecting your clients, listen now, share this with a coach who needs it, and subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more trainers learn to do this the right way.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Life Time DPT: IG Donovan_will_Running is easy to start and hard to master, and that gap is where most people get stuck. I'm talking with Donovan, a coach at Lifetime Dumbo in downtown Brooklyn, about what actually makes runners improve: a clean foundation, the right intensity, and a mindset that doesn't crumble when things get uncomfortable. He's also training for the New York Marathon, so this isn't theory, it's lived experience. We dig into how he builds a run clinic and a free run club with real pace support, plus the overlooked details that keep people consistent: cadence, breathing, core and stability, and choosing shoes that help your ankles move naturally. Donovan shares his personal story of multiple eye surgeries and why running is one of the few times he feels relief, which turns “motivation” into something deeper than hype. Then we get practical with performance and health: VO2 max testing, metabolic testing, and how personalized heart rate zones can replace guesswork from generic formulas and wearables. We talk Zone 2 training you can actually sustain, smarter interval training in Zone 4 and Zone 5, and what the pain cave looks like both mentally and physiologically when your body hits a limit. If you want to run faster, build aerobic fitness, lose weight without living in redline, or simply enjoy running again, this conversation gives you a clear playbook. Subscribe, share this with a friend who “always goes too hard,” and leave a review with your biggest running question so we can tackle it next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!“Get certified and start making $100K” sounds great until you are standing on a gym floor with five clients back to back and no real plan. We get blunt about why the personal training industry chews up new coaches, and why the biggest problem is not motivation, it is the lack of supervised experience, real systems, and honest expectations. If you are thinking about becoming a personal trainer, or you are already certified but feel stuck, this conversation is your reset.We talk about the trap of choosing a fitness certification like a fast-food combo meal, then trying to coach using only a textbook and confidence. We lay out what actually builds a sustainable personal training career: hands-on learning seminars, internships, shadowing, and mentorship that forces you to explain your choices. Assessment and program design are not buzzwords here. We dig into how to think through exercise selection, how to handle clients who show up with knee pain or shoulder issues, and why “I like this exercise” is not a coaching process.We also get practical about money, marketing, and longevity. We walk through the real math behind making $100,000 as a trainer, how gym splits change the equation, and why your schedule can burn you out long before your passion does. We share how to pick the right gym environment, what questions to ask managers, and why people skills and communication often beat another weekend certificate. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a trainer who needs the truth, and leave a review with the skill you think every new coach should master first.How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer Vol. 2: Becoming a personal trainer in 2026 takes more than just a certification—it requires real-world skills, business awareness, and the ability to avoid the mistakes that hold most new trainers back. In this episode, we break down exactly how to get started in the fitness industry and what it really takes to succeed early on.We cover the step-by-step path to becoming a certified trainer, how to gain experience, and how to build confidence on the gym floor. Most importantly, we dive into the most common mistakes new trainers make—like poor client communication, lack of programming structure, and neglecting the business side of fitness—and how to avoid them.If you want to fast-track your success and stand out in a competitive industry, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most trainers think the “assessment” is where you prove how smart you are. We think it's where you prove you're safe, clear, and worth paying. We break down a client assessment process that changes based on context, whether you're stuck doing a required movement screen at a big gym or you're an independent personal trainer building your own system. The through-line is simple: it depends on the person, but your standards stay high.We start with what too many coaches ignore: professionalism and expectation setting. How you show up, how the space looks, how you greet someone, and how you explain the plan for the hour all impact trust. From there we move into the discovery process that makes the rest of the session easier, including PAR-Q screening, goal setting, and the kinds of questions that uncover real motivation and make a client feel heard. If you want better retention, better referrals, and a smoother sales process, you need this part to be intentional.We also get practical on assessments that add real value, like grip strength and blood pressure. We talk about why blood pressure is a frontline metric for personal training safety, what “red flags” look like, and when you need to send someone to a doctor. Then we map out a first workout that is simple, beginner-friendly, and built around core movement patterns with smart accessories so clients feel a win without getting crushed. We close with how to present training packages confidently, avoid backtracking on price, and guide the conversation toward a clear next step.If you found this helpful, subscribe for more coaching, programming, and business tactics for personal trainers, share this with a trainer who needs a better assessment flow, and leave a quick review with your biggest takeaway.No overhead assessments at Show Up Fitness like NASM or FMS, just results while trainers build a career: Assessing a new client is one of the most important skills a personal trainer can master—especially when working with a beginner. In this episode, we walk through a complete step-by-step approach to assessing a beginner male client, from initial consultation to movement screening and goal setting.You'll learn how to ask the right questions, evaluate posture and mobility, identify limitations, and build a safe, effective starting program. We also cover common mistakes trainers make during assessments and how to create a strong first impression that builds trust and long-term client success.Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your coaching skills, this episode will give you the tools to confidently assess and train new clients.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A client tells you they have a fused disc and suddenly every squat, hinge, and loaded carry feels like a liability. We break that moment down into a repeatable coaching process so you can stop guessing and start programming with clarity. From the first questions we ask about surgery timing and what level was fused, to when it's worth looping in the surgeon or physical therapist, we map out how strong coaching begins long before the first rep.We also lean hard into the biopsychosocial model because post-surgery training isn't only about anatomy and range of motion. It's about fear, guarding, confidence, and the story the client tells themselves about being “broken.” You'll hear exactly how we cue safety, what we look for during an assessment, and how we choose movements that build trust fast without chasing risky positions. If you coach low back pain clients, this is the mindset shift that changes your results.Then we get practical: warm-ups that emphasize spine stability, beginner-friendly circuits with TRX squats, regressable push-ups, planks and side planks, step-ups with bilateral pulls, bridges, landmine presses, and glute work that supports the frontal plane. Finally, we talk progression and long-term strength training after spinal fusion: why trap bar deadlifts and loaded carries can be a smart next step, how to manage fatigue, why 6–8 clean reps beat 20 sloppy ones, and how bone mineral density and heavier loading fit into the big picture. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches can build healthier backs.Training a client with fused discs isn't just advanced—it's essential knowledge for any serious personal trainer. In this episode, we break down exactly how to safely and effectively work with clients who have undergone spinal fusion or deal with chronic spinal conditions.You'll learn what spinal fusion really means, how it impacts movement and mobility, and the biggest mistakes trainers must avoid. We also cover smart programming strategies, exercise modifications, and coaching techniques that prioritize core stability, injury prevention, and long-term progress.If you want to build confidence, deliver safer sessions, and stand out as a highly skilled coach, this episode gives you the practical tools to do it right.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!The on-deck circle is full of traditions that feel right, but “feels faster” can be a trap. We dig into bat speed and bat velocity through a Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research study on warm-up devices, then translate it into coaching decisions you can actually use with baseball players.We talk through why hitters swing donut rings, power wraps, and other weighted warm-up bats, and what the research suggests happens next. The kinetic after-effect can make a standard bat feel lighter, but that doesn't guarantee higher bat velocity. We also get into why load placement matters, how a higher moment of inertia can slow the swing, and why some heavy, top-loaded options may change swing mechanics in ways that hurt performance.Then we switch to the real world: if a routine is part of an athlete's confidence, barging in with “science says you're wrong” is a good way to lose buy-in. I lay out a practical, low-drama way to test changes during practice, blowouts, or controlled trials so you can collect feedback without disrupting game flow. If you coach, train, or play, you'll leave with a clearer framework for evidence-based baseball training and better warm-up choices that respect both data and psychology.If you get value from this, subscribe, share the show with a trainer or coach, and leave a five-star review so we can push toward the top 10.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A physical therapist can be the difference between being “just another trainer” and becoming the coach doctors actually trust. We kick off with a real question from Wayne in Alaska: he found a promising DPT partner, but he's early in the relationship and doesn't have clients to refer yet. So how do you grow that connection so you're the first trainer they think of when a patient needs strength training, return-to-sport work, or long-term accountability?We get blunt about why most PTs hesitate to refer to personal trainers: they hear injury stories tied to messy programming, and they see coaches who can't speak basic anatomy or pain science. We walk through what “competence” looks like in the real world: knowing core movement patterns, understanding common shoulder and knee issues, and communicating like a professional while staying in your lane on diagnosis. If you want premium personal training clients and a serious referral network, you have to sound safe and credible.Then we share the exact outreach approach that consistently opens doors: DM over email, reference their work, follow up with a call, and show up with coffee. We also explain why paying for a PT assessment yourself can be the smartest “networking” move you'll ever make, plus how to offer shadowing, bring thoughtful questions, and even train the therapist to demonstrate your program design. The bigger takeaway: stop asking for clients and start building a team of trusted pros around you.If this helps, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches can build better PT relationships.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!IG Glenda_garay GYM eleva_fitness_studioGlenda walked into her first gym role with a big goal and a shaky toolkit then built a studio that's now heading into year three. We sit down with the Eleva Fitness owner from the San Francisco Bay Area to talk about what actually changed her career: investing in education, learning real anatomy and programming, and showing up with a level of coaching presence that makes clients feel safe. When your clients can feel your confidence, retention gets easier, referrals increase, and your value stops being negotiable.We also get honest about box gym culture and what happens when you start leveling up. Glenda shares what it's like when other trainers compete, criticize, or try to poach clients, and why leaving a toxic environment can be the smartest business move you make. From there we break down gym ownership basics in plain language: rent, pricing, and why multiple revenue streams matter. We dig into a sustainable fitness studio business model where small group training can cover overhead while personal training becomes the profit engine.If you're searching for how to become a successful personal trainer, how to open a gym, or how to market a personal training studio, you'll take away practical ideas you can use this month: collaborations, workshops, local partnerships, and the focus required to avoid doing 30 things at once. Listen through to the end for Glenda's no-nonsense advice on betting on yourself, then subscribe, share the episode with a trainer friend, and leave a quick review so more coaches can find it.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A brand-new Equinox trainer asks a simple question with huge stakes: how do you program for a 54-year-old lawyer who's 260 pounds, 42% body fat, fresh off a divorce, and dead set on getting to 200? We walk through exactly how we'd run the first two Equifit sessions so the client feels safe, seen, and genuinely excited to come back, not crushed and embarrassed after 15 minutes.We get specific on the assessment that makes you look like a true professional, including why taking blood pressure and resting heart rate is a credibility multiplier and a real service to the client. From there, we map out a “Goldilocks” first workout: warm-up with engagement, smart upper-body work before heavy legs, simple circuits built on push, pull, core, carries, and accessories that keep the session fun without turning it into random chaos. The goal is adherence and momentum, then progressive overload as conditioning improves.Then we shift to the part most trainers avoid: the sit-down conversation that turns a great workout into a committed client. We share how to present personal training packages clearly, why fewer options sell better, and how to add value with bonus sessions, reviews, and referrals while still playing the long game on your career. If you coach with competence and consistency, your rates rise because your results rise.If you got something from this, subscribe, share the episode with a trainer who needs it, and leave a quick rating and review.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Personal training certifications look simple until you realize the industry is split between marketing machines, legacy nonprofits, and smaller programs that bet on real skill. We build a March Madness style bracket to compare the big names in fitness certification and then pull the curtain back on what actually drives popularity: ad spend, search results, partnerships with gyms, and how easy it is to pass the exam. If you're trying to become a personal trainer in 2026, this is the reality check that helps you stop chasing logos and start building a plan.We get blunt about NCCA accreditation and why it often signals process and paperwork more than coaching competence. Then we land on the question that matters most: where do you want to work? Your target gym can dictate your CPT choice, whether that's a big-box chain, a boutique studio, or a premium club. We also talk about the real career risks for new trainers, including why so many quit in the first year when they don't know how to assess, program, sell, and communicate with confidence.You'll leave with practical personal trainer career advice, including a simple interview move that flips skepticism into proof: offering to take a manager through a 60-minute workout and backing your skills. If you want to become hireable, competent, and able to charge more, press play, share this with a future trainer, and leave a review with the gym you're aiming for next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Picking a gym is not a vibe check, it's a career decision. We build a March Madness bracket of the best places to get hired as a personal trainer in the United States and tell you what the bracket is really measuring: income potential, quality of clients, coaching “reps,” interview standards, and how fast you can grow from new trainer to highly paid professional. If you've ever wondered why some trainers struggle to break past low session rates while others climb into premium training fast, the answer is often environment. We compare budget-friendly, high-volume gyms like Planet Fitness and LA Fitness with higher-end clubs where clients expect more and pay more. We talk real numbers on session pricing, why 30-minute training models (EOS, Anytime, and similar clubs) can sharpen your coaching quickly, and why improving brands like Crunch can be a strong stepping stone. Then we put the two giants head-to-head: Lifetime versus Equinox, including how scheduling and weekly hours can impact your first-month income and your ability to stay in the industry long enough to build a book of business. We also share a practical challenge: aim for the best gym you can realistically access in your market, especially in major fitness hubs, and surround yourself with strong trainers so your standards rise. If you're serious about turning fitness into a profession, hit play, share this with a trainer friend who's job hunting, and subscribe and leave a review so more coaches can find the path faster.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!How do you properly train a 13-year-old soccer athlete without risking injury or burnout?In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down exactly how to design a safe, effective workout for a young soccer player, focusing on long-term development—not short-term performance.Whether you're a personal trainer, coach, parent, or youth athlete, this episode will help you understand how to build strength, speed, and coordination the right way.You'll learn:How to structure workouts for a 13-year-old athleteThe balance between strength, speed, and skill workWhat to avoid when training young athletesHow to reduce injury risk and support long-term developmentAge-appropriate exercises that actually transfer to soccerThis episode focuses on building a strong foundation for performance, confidence, and durability—so young athletes can improve without being overtrained or pushed too hard too soon.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Want to truly understand the knee and pain, not just train around it?In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down knee anatomy in a way that actually applies to real-world training, rehab, and performance. We cover the 14 key muscles around the knee and how they influence stability, movement, and injury risk.Whether you're a personal trainer, kinesiology student, nurse, physical therapy professional, or coach, this episode will help you connect anatomy to function—so you can better assess, cue, and program for your clients and patients.You'll learn:The 14 muscles that support and move the kneeHow these muscles impact knee stability and painCommon misunderstandings about knee functionHow to apply anatomy to training and rehab settingsWhy most trainers overlook key structures around the kneeIf you want to level up from basic programming to true movement understanding, this is a must-listen.Want to become a high-level personal trainer?The Show Up Fitness CPT (SUF-CPT) is designed for trainers who want to stand out with real-world coaching skills and career opportunities in top gym environments.Learn more about the SUF-CPT and how to build a successful training career.

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Are you a personal trainer thinking about going independent—but worried about how to actually get clients?In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down exactly how to leave the gym, go independent, and build a profitable personal training business without relying on a big box facility.Whether you're working at a gym like Life Time, Equinox, or 24 Hour Fitness, or you're already on your own but struggling to grow, this episode covers the real strategies successful independent trainers use to own their clients, increase income, and create freedom.You'll learn:How to transition from gym employee to independent trainerHow to get clients without working at a gymThe biggest mistakes trainers make when going independentSimple marketing strategies that actually workHow to build a sustainable fitness business (online or in-person)This isn't theory—this is the real-world blueprint for trainers, coaches, and service professionals who want to stop trading time for sessions and start building a business.If you're ready to quit the gym, own your clients, and take control of your income, this episode is for you.Become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer vol 2 will help ANY personal trainer turn their passion for fitness into a career. SUF-CPTs make 2-5x more than the average personal trainer with a NASM, ACE, ISSA, NSCA, ACSM personal training certification, That's why the SUF-CPT is the fastest growing and best personal training certification for trainers with our elite partnership with life time fitness and equinox.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!If you've ever said “I'm training quads” and assumed that meant one muscle, this one will sharpen your coaching brain fast. We're leaning into more video-supported teaching because anatomy and biomechanics click when you can see what we're describing, especially around the hips, knees, and feet.We break down lower body anatomy for lifters, coaches, and personal trainers who want clearer cues and better exercise choices. You'll get a clean, practical tour of the quadriceps (yes, all four muscles), why the rectus femoris is the only biarticulate quad, and why the popular VMO “isolation” idea on leg extensions does not hold up the way people claim. Then we move to the hamstrings you can actually palpate, explain what it means to cross two joints, and show how foot position on leg curls can bias medial hamstrings versus biceps femoris.From there we connect the dots through adductors, glutes, and calves, using simple landmarks and memorable cues like the “belt buckle” for posterior pelvic tilt and glute control. We also clear up sarcopenia vs atrophy so you stop mixing up aging-related muscle loss with injury-driven muscle shrink, because that confusion leads to sloppy training advice. Along the way we hit the Achilles tendon, the calcaneus, and even the sartorius, the longest muscle in the body, to round out a true hips-to-toes mental map.If you want better results from strength training and better explanations for your clients, press play, then subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review. What lower body muscle do you want us to break down next?Because the SUF CPT exam is conducted verbally, this episode focuses on helping you explain the muscles clearly and confidently, just like you would during the test.You'll learn the muscles of the glutes, hips, thighs, and lower leg, along with simple ways to remember their actions and roles in training.Perfect for:SUF CPT candidatesNew personal trainersCoaches improving anatomy knowledgeAnyone studying lower body functional anatomyInterested in becoming a personal trainer and those who are changing careers into personal training.SUF CPT is the fastest growing personal training certification with elite partnerships at Life Time Fitness and Equinox.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Pickleball elbow can sneak up on you fast, then hang around for months and make every grip, lift, or backhand feel like a mistake. We sit down with Dr. Rosh from The Prehab Guys to get precise about what's actually happening with lateral elbow pain, how to test it confidently, and why “tendonitis” isn't the best label for most cases of tennis elbow and pickleball elbow.https://pro.theprehabguys.com/checkout/annual-access?coupon=SHOWUP COUPON CODE SHOWUPWe walk through the practical diagnosis process you can use right away: palpation at the lateral epicondyle, Cozen's test, pain-free grip strength, and the wrist extensor stretch that actually targets the tissue by adding forearm pronation. Then we zoom out to the common traps that keep people stuck, including workload spikes, returning to racquet sports too quickly, and technique that turns the forearm into the main power source. We also cover when lateral elbow symptoms may be coming from somewhere else, including cervical radiculopathy or radial nerve irritation, so you know when to refer out instead of guessing.On the treatment side, we map out a clear rehab strategy built around education, unloading, reloading, and prevention, with starter isometrics, progressions toward isotonics, and smart ways to use soft tissue work, flossing, and bracing as symptom tools rather than “the cure.” We also get honest about injections: why cortisone can feel great short term yet backfire over a 6 to 12 month tendinopathy timeline, and what the current evidence says about PRP and other orthobiologics. If you're a trainer, you'll also hear how to build trust, reduce fear, and use a movement library to support clients between sessions.Subscribe for more evidence-based coaching conversations, share this with a friend dealing with elbow pain, and leave a five-star review if it helped. What movement or sport flares your elbow up the most?Perfect for:Pickleball players of all levelsActive adults and recreational athletesCoaches and trainersAnyone wanting to move better and avoid injuriesElbow pain and elbow injuriesWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Ready to trade burnout for better results and better pay? We sat down with two Oakland gym owners who prove that education, assessment, and community can turn a small studio into a scalable, trusted brand. From expanding a 2,000-square-foot space to a 20,000-square-foot facility to building a loyal client base through local partnerships and community workouts, this conversation gives trainers a practical, boots-on-the-ground blueprint for growth.Providence Athletic Club Address: 2134 Market St, Oakland, CA 94607We get candid about why so many coaches stall: too much focus on programming, not enough on assessment, communication, and business systems. You'll hear how to build confidence with a simple screen-plan-retest flow that improves client pain and performance in a single session—and why that transformation makes charging $100 to $200 per session both ethical and sustainable. We also talk mindset and mentorship: escaping rooms where people gripe about gyms and stepping into rooms where owners share the exact steps to raise rates, tighten packages, and stop working 60-hour weeks.If you're a fitness professional in the Bay Area—or anyone serious about leveling up—you'll also get the details on our two-day, hands-on seminar at Providence Athletic Club. Expect real-world anatomy and assessment, business strategy you can deploy on Monday, and a network of mentors and peers who actually pick up the phone. We'll break bread, swap playbooks, and show you how collaboration beats scarcity for long-term success.Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs the nudge, and leave a quick review to tell us the one skill you're committed to improving next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!If you already purchased the ISSA certification and realized the refund window is only seven days, you're not alone. Thousands of aspiring trainers find themselves stuck with a massive textbook and no clear strategy for passing the exam.In this episode, we break down exactly how the ISSA CPT exam works and the fastest way to pass it.We explain how the certification is structured, why Tailwind Nutrition owns ISSA, and what you actually need to study to pass the exam without wasting months reading material that won't appear on the test.Over the last decade, Show Up Fitness has helped more than 6,000 trainers pass personal training certification exams using a simplified study strategy that focuses only on what matters.Inside this episode you'll learn:• How the ISSA CPT exam is structured • The most important topics you must understand • What most people waste time studying • The fastest way to prepare and pass • How to move from “certified” to actually becoming a successful personal trainerIf you're currently studying for ISSA or realized you missed the refund window, this episode will save you weeks of frustration and help you pass the exam with confidence.Leave a review and we'll send you the ISSA CPT Cheat Sheet and Study Guide that has helped over 6,000 trainers pass their certification exams.How to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer w/ SUF-CPT - the fastest growing personal training certification in 2025.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Sciatica is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in fitness and rehab. Many clients hear the word and immediately think they have a “slipped disc” or that surgery is inevitable. In reality, sciatica simply describes irritation of the sciatic nerve and the cause can vary widely.In this episode we break down what sciatica actually is, why so many MRIs create unnecessary fear, and how trainers can confidently work with clients who have low back or radiating leg pain.You'll learn the anatomy of the sciatic nerve, the most common causes of symptoms, and how to think through assessments involving the lumbar spine, hips, and movement patterns. We also discuss how the biopsychosocial model of pain plays a major role in recovery and why movement, education, and proper programming can often be more powerful than rest or passive treatments.If you're a personal trainer, coach, or fitness professional who wants to better understand back pain and help clients move with confidence again, this episode will give you a practical framework to approach sciatica without fear.Become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer w/ SUF - CPT the fastest growing personal training certification in fitness.  sciatica, sciatica explained, sciatic nerve pain, sciatica exercises, low back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, nerve pain leg, personal trainer education, fitness education, biomechanics, movement assessment, back pain training, pain science, biopsychosocial model of pain, lumbar spine anatomy, exercise science, physical therapy concepts, strength training with back pain, injury prevention, trainer certification, show up fitness, SUF CPT, personal training podcast, coaching clients in pain, anatomy for trainersWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most trainers think coaching is about sets, reps and programs.It's not.Great coaching is communication, leadership and grit.In this episode we sit down with Luka Hocevar, founder of Vigor Ground Fitness and host of the Vigor Life Podcast. Luka has spent decades developing coaches and building one of the most respected training communities in the industry.We dive into the skills most trainers never learn from textbooks:• How to communicate so clients actually trust you• Why grit matters more than the “perfect program”• What separates average trainers from elite coaches• How great gyms develop great coaches• The mindset required to build a long-term career in fitnessIf you're a personal trainer who wants to build confidence, coach at a higher level and create real impact with clients, this episode is packed with lessons from two coaches who have spent decades in the trenches.Follow Luka Hocevar:IG: @lukahocevarIG: @vigorgroundfitnessPodcast: Vigor Life PodcastWant to become a successful personal trainer?Show Up Fitness teaches trainers how to master assessments, programming, sales and communication so they can get hired at the best gyms and build long-term careers.Learn more at: www.showupfitness.comWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most personal trainers get stuck around 10–15 sessions per week and can't figure out how to grow their schedule. Many assume it's the gym, the location, or the economy.In this episode we sit down with a trainer from MOVATI Athletic who broke through that ceiling.After implementing systems from Show Up Fitness, he went from 10–15 sessions per week to 25 sessions per week, dramatically increasing both his income and confidence as a coach.We discuss:• Why most trainers struggle to grow their client base• The biggest mistakes trainers make early in their careers• How assessments instantly increase client trust• The difference between textbook knowledge and real-world coaching• The systems that helped him double his sessionsIf you're a personal trainer trying to get more clients, build confidence, and turn coaching into a real career, this episode breaks down what actually works.Follow the trainer on IG: @emi_robledo2911For trainers studying for NASM or looking to level up their coaching skills, check out the Show Up Fitness resources and weekly live calls.KEEP SHOWING UP.

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most personal trainers working at the YMCA struggle to build a consistent client roster. Many get stuck around a handful of sessions per week and eventually burn out or leave the industry.In this episode we sit down with trainer Von Porter from Martha's Vineyard to talk about how he built momentum inside the gym and started growing his client base after implementing the Show Up Fitness systems.We discuss:• Why most trainers struggle to get clients• The confidence gap new trainers face• How assessments build instant trust with clients• The difference between being certified and actually being qualified• The systems that helped Von grow his scheduleIf you're a personal trainer trying to grow your client base, build confidence, and turn training into a real career, this episode will give you a clear roadmap.Follow Von on IG: @von_trainingFor trainers looking to pass NASM faster or level up their coaching skills, check out Show Up Fitness resources and weekly live calls.KEEP SHOWING UP.

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!A client came to me after being told she needed shoulder surgery.MRI showed a slight supraspinatus tear. No physical therapy was recommended. No movement assessment was performed. Just “you'll need surgery.”Instead of jumping to conclusions, we performed a full movement screen looking at the GH joint, scapula, thoracic spine and LPHC. No red flags were present. Several exercises were completely pain free. Others were only uncomfortable based on fear and guarding after being told she was “fragile.”This is where the biopsychosocial model of pain becomes critical for personal trainers.Pain is not always tissue damage. Language matters. Assessments matter. Understanding anatomy and movement matters.After helping her better understand what the MRI actually meant, how her shoulder moves, and which patterns felt safe to load, she avoided surgery and returned to training without pain.Knowing your scope as a personal trainer is important. But so is knowing when to assess, when to refer, and how to confidently work with clients who are in pain without making them feel broken.Textbook certifications like NASM ACE ISSA don't prepare you for real world scenarios like this.That's why we created the SUF-CPT and SUF-STM certifications.If you want to: • Assess clients in pain • Program on the fly • Partner with DPTs • Charge $150+ per session • Build confidence with real peopleYou have to SHOW UP.Learn more about our seminars and certifications here: [Insert Website]#PersonalTraining #Biopsychosocial #ShoulderPain #NASM #CPT #MovementAssessment #PainScience #ShowUpFitnessBecome a personal trainer, SUF CPT the fastest growing personal training certification for personal trainersWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Before you memorize muscles, origins, insertions and actions… you need to understand anatomical orientation.In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of anatomical position, directional terms and planes of motion so students in kinesiology, nursing, exercise science and personal training can better understand how the human body moves in space.If you're currently studying for exams in:• Kinesiology• Nursing school• NASM• ACE• ISSA• NSCA• ACSM or the SUF-CPTThis is the foundation that makes everything else in anatomy make sense.We cover:• Anatomical position• Anterior vs posterior• Medial vs lateral• Superior vs inferior• Proximal vs distal• Contralateral vs ipsilateral• Sagittal plane• Frontal plane• Transverse planeWhether you're learning movement for clinical practice, rehab, strength training or preparing for your CPT exam, mastering anatomical orientation is essential for understanding assessments, biomechanics and exercise programming.At Show Up Fitness, we teach future personal trainers how to apply anatomy in real world scenarios with actual clients through movement assessments and hands on learning.Learn more about our certifications and hands on seminars:[Insert Website]#Kinesiology #NursingSchool #Anatomy #NASM #ACE #ISSA #NSCA #ExerciseScience #PersonalTraining #Biomechanics #ShowUpFitnessWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most personal trainers struggle to break $40-60K per year.Less than 1% of personal trainers clear 200k. So how did Coach Joe?Listen to how many personal training seminars he has gone to. Not once did he metion nasm, ace, issa or any textbook certification.So what does it actually take to make $200,000 as a personal trainer?In this episode, we follow Coach Joe Sully (IG: @Coach_Joe_Sully) through a real day in the life of a 6-figure trainer to see exactly how elite coaches operate.From assessments… To programming on the fly… To working with clients who are in pain… To building a network with DPTs and RDs… To confidently charging $100-$150+ per session…There is a massive difference between trainers who read a textbook and pass a multiple choice exam (NASM ACE ISSA)… and trainers who build a real career.Joe breaks down: • His daily schedule • How he assesses new clients • Why networking is everything • How he handles clients with shoulder, low back and knee discomfort • The systems he uses to retain clients • And what separates $25/session trainers from $200K/year coachesIf 90% of trainers quit within the first 12 months, maybe it's time we stop telling people to “just get certified” and instead focus on hands on learning, movement competency and building a professional team.This is what we teach inside the SUF-CPT & SUF-STM at Show Up Fitness in partnership with Life Time Fitness.Want to: • Become confident around clients in pain • Charge 25-50% more per hour • Partner with physical therapists • And build a sustainable career in personal trainingYou have to SHOW UP.Learn more about our seminars and certifications: [Insert Website]Follow Joe: IG: @Coach_Joe_Sully#PersonalTraining #DayInTheLife #SixFigureTrainer #NASM #ShowUpFitness #CPT #LifeTimeFitnessWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Trying to pass the NASM CPT exam in 2026?This is Part 2 of our 5-Part NASM in 30-Days Series designed to help aspiring personal trainers pass the NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam fast without wasting months reading the textbook.Over 6,000 trainers have used the Show Up Fitness NASM Study Guide to pass the NASM CPT exam.In this episode we break down the exact 30-day NASM study plan, how to prepare for the NASM exam efficiently, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that cause 90% of new trainers to quit within 12 months.Leave a 5-Star Review to get the NASM Cheat Sheet used by thousands of trainers to pass.Need more help?Our NASM Study Guide ($99) has helped over 6,000 trainers pass.Want to guarantee you pass?Join the SUF-CPT Internship ($799). If you fail the NASM CPT exam, we pay for your retest.You will also get:• Hands on training workshop • Programming confidence • Assessments for clients in pain • Networking with DPTs and RDs • Job placement support • Access to a SUF Seminar at Life Time Fitness within 12 monthsSubscribe for weekly episodes on passing NASM, assessments, programming and becoming an elite personal trainer.how to pass nasm cpt nasm cpt 2026 nasm study guide nasm cpt study plan personal trainer exam prep how to become a personal trainer pass nasm fast nasm exam tips nasm cheat sheet nasm practice test certified personal trainer examWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Struggling to understand the planes of motion for personal training?In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down the three planes of motion — sagittal, frontal and transverse — in a simple way so personal trainers can confidently assess movement and improve workout programming.Understanding planes of motion is essential for:• Exercise selection • Movement assessments • Injury prevention • Training clients with pain • Programming full body workoutsWhether you're studying for the NASM CPT exam or want to improve your programming skills as a personal trainer, this episode will help you apply movement science to real world coaching.Topics covered:• Sagittal plane exercises • Frontal plane exercises • Transverse plane exercises • Functional movement patterns • Programming for general population • Assessing clients with shoulder, hip and knee painSubscribe for weekly episodes on assessments, programming and becoming an elite personal trainer.How to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer VOL 2 on amazon to become an elite qualified personal trainer:planes of motion personal training sagittal frontal transverse planes of motion exercises functional movement training exercise science for trainers how to assess movement personal trainer education movement assessment exercise programming biomechanics personal trainingWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Pickleball is the fastest growing sport among adults over 60, but injuries like frozen shoulder and tennis elbow can sideline even the most competitive players.In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down how to safely and effectively design a strength training program for a 67 year old pickleball athlete dealing with shoulder stiffness and lateral elbow pain.Learn how personal trainers can assess movement, train around pain, improve performance, and help older clients stay competitive without surgery.Topics covered:• Frozen shoulder exercises for older adults: • Tennis elbow strength training • Pickleball injury prevention • Programming for clients over 60 • Biopsychosocial model of pain • Training around shoulder and elbow pain • Full body programming for general populationIf you're a personal trainer working with aging athletes, this episode will help you confidently program for clients with pain while improving retention and results.Subscribe for weekly episodes on assessments, programming, and becoming an elite personal trainer.• How to network with pickleball professionals and pickleball gyms to offer your services to bring in more clients so you can charge more and make over $100,000 as a qualified personal trainer.If you want to become a personal trainer, SUF-CPT is the fastest growing personal training certification which helps you understand programming so you can design workouts for clients who play pickleball and all general population clients, especially when it comes to programming around pain. pickleball training for seniors strength training over 60 frozen shoulder exercises tennis elbow rehab personal trainer programming for older adults training clients with shoulder pain training clients with elbow pain pickleball injury prevention workouts for seniors with injuries how to train older athletes#pickleballtraining #frozenshoulder #tenniselbow #seniorfitness #over60fitness #personaltrainer #showupfitness #shoulderpain #elbowpain #strengthtrainingforseniorsWant to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Want a stronger bench without the burnout cycle of “max out Mondays”? We dive into the real drivers of pressing strength—scapular mechanics, intelligent frequency, and targeted accessories—then map them onto five influential programs lifters actually use: Sheiko, Smolov Jr, Westside Conjugate, Wendler's 5/3/1, and the Bulgarian-style daily max approach. Along the way, we explain how to spot and fix sticking points at the chest, midrange, and lockout, and why bar path, elbow angle, foot pressure, and a controlled thoracic arch can add pounds fast without beating up your shoulders.I walk through a practical hybrid template I use with clients chasing 225, 275, or 315: straight-set specificity for bench, CCA blocks to round out pressing angles and back strength, and a weekly wave of heavy work, volume, and speed. We cover warm-up that actually potentiates—foam roller push-ups, cuff activation, med-ball slams—plus reps in reserve, rest intervals that respect the ATP-PC system, and how to use heavy eccentrics, pauses, boards, and pins to train your nervous system above goal weight. You'll hear clear cues for breathing and bracing, how to line up on the bench, and why a slight arch is a tool, not a sin.This conversation is built for coaches and serious lifters who want outcomes, not fluff. You'll get actionable progression ideas, a retesting timeline that protects momentum, and a simple method to choose accessories by reviewing video and training the exact range where your lift slows. We also talk shop about creating a PR culture in your gym—monthly focus lifts, leaderboards, and community Saturdays—so clients stay engaged and keep showing up.If this helped you plan your next training block, tap follow, share it with a training partner, and leave a quick review. Ready to build a smarter bench? Subscribe and tell us your current max and your next goal.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!PT IG: JewadegrahamcoachWant a real blueprint for becoming a high-level personal trainer, not just another fast-tracked certificate holder? We sit down with UK coach Graham to unpack what separates “certified” from truly “qualified,” breaking down how short courses can be the starting line—but never the finish—of a serious coaching career. From navigating UK awarding bodies like Active IQ and YMCA to understanding rent-versus-shifts models at PureGym and The Gym Group, we dig into the practical choices that shape your development and earning power.The heart of the conversation is coaching craft. Graham explains why the first 28 days with a client set the trajectory for long-term success, and how a clear onboarding process—assessment, communication, expectations, and feedback loops—builds confidence on both sides. We talk about translating anatomy into human language, ditching Latin for cues clients can use, and designing programs that progress or regress to match real lives and crowded gyms. You'll hear how to start natural conversations on the gym floor, stop opening with “Want PT?”, and instead lead with help that builds trust and makes selling unnecessary.We also address the allure and risk of business mentorships. Graham shares how to vet programs, avoid the shiny scams, and prioritize mentors who teach assessments, communication, and systems. The path he recommends is honest and demanding: one to three years of apprenticeship or mentorship inside an elite environment, building a portfolio of transformations, strength PRs, and rehab wins. That proof makes content easier to create and clients easier to retain. By the time you pivot to independent or online coaching, you're not guessing—you're scaling what already works.If you're serious about coaching excellence, this episode is your roadmap: develop soft skills, master onboarding, build undeniable proof, and only then go big. Subscribe, share with a trainer friend who needs this reality check, and leave a review with the one skill you're committed to leveling up next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Feeling buried under 800 pages of NASM CPT 2026? We turn the noise into a clear, fast track that gets you to a passing score and into confident coaching. We walk through the OPT model in plain language, show you exactly which acute variables to memorize, and explain how to move from stabilization to strength and power without turning your sessions into rigid templates. If you've ever passed a test and still felt lost on day one, this guide closes that gap.We dig into the essentials you'll see on the exam and in real intake sessions: BMI ranges, blood pressure norms, and the practical differences between type one and type two diabetes. You'll hear why positive, client-first coaching beats fear-based assessments, and how to use simple screens without overwhelming new clients. We also unpack behavior change with the stages of change model and SMART goals so you can help people stay consistent long after the first workout high fades.Beyond the test, we talk career fundamentals that make you a pro others trust: track contracts and receipts for at least four years, understand CEU requirements, and use a quick SWOT analysis to map your growth. We share how focused study guides, mentorship, and hands-on seminars can compress your study time while sharpening real-world skills. The result is a study plan you can finish fast and a coaching approach that delivers results clients can feel.Ready to study smarter and coach with confidence? Hit follow, share this with a trainer friend who's cramming for NASM, and leave a quick review so we can send you our free NASM cheat sheet. Your next strong session starts here.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com