The Show Up Fitness Podcast

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Programming gets easier the moment the lower body stops feeling like a blur of Latin words. We walk you through the exact muscle groups you need for the SUF CPT and make them stick with clear landmarks, real coaching cues, and a few memory tricks you will actually remember under pressure. If you have ever mixed up tendons vs ligaments, forgotten where the hamstrings sit behind the knee, or wondered why a seated calf raise feels different than standing, you are in the right place. We start with the quadriceps, including why rectus femoris is different from the vastus muscles and how the patella, quad tendon, and patellar ligament connect the story. Then we flip to the posterior chain and make the hamstrings practical: how to identify the medial “two guitar strings,” where biceps femoris shows up laterally, and how foot rotation can bias what you feel during a leg curl. We also cover the adductors (longus, magnus, brevis) with an easy size-based naming framework, plus why adductor magnus earns its reputation as a powerhouse. From there we hit the glutes with a fiber-focused view of gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus, including why pronunciation matters for the exam and for sounding like a confident coach. We close with the lower leg: gastrocnemius vs soleus, peroneals vs fibularis terminology, and the BLT mnemonic for brevis, longus, tertius. If you want better personal training anatomy, smarter lower body exercise selection, and stronger coaching confidence, press play, subscribe, share this with a training buddy, and leave a review with the muscle group you are mastering 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!More trainers have been hired and clear over $10,000/ month at life time with their SUF CPT than any other company. Most trainers walk into a practical interview thinking they're being graded on exercise selection. What actually gets judged is whether you can coach a real person, build trust fast, and lead with confidence when the room feels unfamiliar and the stakes feel high. That's exactly what we work through with Jerry Ramos, a kinesiology student and trainer preparing for a Lifetime Fitness practical assessment.We break down the full role-play client profile: a woman in her 30s aiming for weight loss, better posture, more strength, and less neck and shoulder tension, with a desk job, low steps, and inconsistent routines. Together, we map a simple, repeatable training plan you can run in a squat rack without overthinking it, plus the small details that make you look like a pro: setting expectations, asking the right open-ended questions, coaching with presence, and using the workout itself as your assessment instead of hiding behind complicated screening tests.Then we get into the part most trainers avoid: sales. I walk through the exact wording to handle the three objections you'll hear constantly: price, time, and “I need to talk to my spouse.” We also cover how to bring up steps, sleep, and nutrition in a way that stays inside scope, creates buy-in, and positions you as a long-term coach who delivers results.If you want to get hired, keep clients, and build a career that lasts, hit play, take notes, and then subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a quick review so more coaches learn to 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!Become a nutrition coach with SUF-NC. Weekly live calls with nutrition experts and RD's. If you're trying to lose weight, get leaner, or just stop dragging through your afternoons, there's a good chance the real bottleneck isn't your workout plan. It's your sleep. We dig into why sleep is the foundation for body composition, energy, and consistency, and why “I get 6 to 7 hours” often doesn't match reality, just like food logs rarely tell the full story.We use a blunt but memorable analogy: functioning on short sleep can look a lot like trying to perform after a couple shots of alcohol. From there, we shift into a performance mindset. Athletes don't treat the night before a record attempt like a casual hangout, and a CEO doesn't stroll into a board meeting half-prepared. We ask what would change if you protected bedtime with that same focus and discipline, and we share a practical sleep routine framework that reduces stimulation, limits phone-driven dopamine hits, and sets you up for deep sleep.Then we get tactical with the stuff people argue about: melatonin dosage and why too much can leave you groggy, caffeine half-life and late-day energy drinks, stress hormones like cortisol, and how chronic stress can keep heart rate elevated and block recovery. We also cover an underrated lever for sleep quality and night waking: carbohydrate intake in the evening, liver glycogen, and why some people sleep better with a simple carb snack before bed.Finally, we bring it back to coaching and behavior change: how to assess sleep like a pro, how to stop giving lazy blanket advice, and why educating clients with the right metrics, like blood pressure and daily energy patterns, can beat shaming them with numbers they don't understand. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend who “just doesn't sleep,” and leave a review with your biggest bedtime challenge.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 have ever hesitated when a client asks, “What muscle is that supposed to work?”, this shoulder anatomy breakdown is for you. We make the case that the most important skill for becoming a qualified personal trainer is mastering anatomy, because confidence is not a vibe. It is earned, and clients can tell when you have it. When you sound unsure, people default to objections like “It is too expensive” or “Let me think about it.” When you can speak clearly about the body, trust goes up and sales friction goes down.We share what we see trainers struggle with most, from assessments and programming around pain to getting clients and charging what they are worth. Then we teach the shoulder the practical way: by mapping the 17 shoulder muscles and putting them into a study order you can actually remember. You will hear how pectoralis major and the deltoid each have three distinct parts, why biceps brachii and triceps brachii matter at the shoulder, and how the trapezius, serratus anterior, rhomboids, and latissimus dorsi shape scapular control in real training.We also drill the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) and the big takeaway that matters for programming and shoulder pain: their number one job is to stabilize and center the glenohumeral joint. If you are studying for a CPT exam, refining your personal training assessments, or tightening your exercise programming, this is a clean, repeatable framework you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the shoulder muscle you want us to cover 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!Pass NASM w/ SUF Study Guide $75 showupfitness.comGuarantee to pass NASM showupfitness.com which includes passing in 7-14 days, $500 worth of nasm material including tutoring AND either a SUF certification or hands on learning seminar.Failing the NASM CPT exam usually has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with spending weeks on the wrong pages. We're here to help you pass the NASM CPT 7th edition test faster by focusing on what the exam actually rewards, not what feels productive to highlight. We move quickly through the early chapters that rarely impact your score, then lock onto the high frequency topics that can make up a huge chunk of your questions.We break down the Human Movement System in plain language: the anatomy terms you'll see, the planes of motion NASM loves to define, and the muscle basics that show up again and again. Then we simplify cardiorespiratory essentials (chambers, SA node, bradycardia vs tachycardia, arteries vs veins), metabolism and energy systems (ATP PC, glycolysis, oxidative), and the nutrition numbers that are easy points if you memorize them.The real test comes when NASM shifts into assessments and program design. We walk through screening concepts like PAR Q, key cutoffs like hypertension, and the logic behind the overhead squat assessment checkpoints. From there we drill the OPT model phases, acute variables, and the fastest way to choose between stabilization, strength, and power when the exam throws weird exercise names at you. You'll also hear how NASM expects you to apply SMR, stretching choices by phase, and the inhibition terms that commonly appear.If you want a clear NASM CPT study plan you can repeat until it's automatic, hit subscribe, share this with a friend taking the test, and leave us a review with the 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!Want to get hired at Life Time fitness and become a successful personal trainer? SUF CPT is the best personal training certification for trainers who want to create a career. Sean Hyson was hired with his SUF CPT in Austin at Life Time. He had a great background as an author and writer for T Nation and Onnit. He went to a SUF Seminar in Houston for hands on learning and then got his SUF CPT. He was hired in March. You can be great at coaching and still struggle to sell, especially in a premium gym where the numbers feel big the moment the price sheet comes out. We talk with Sean, a new trainer at Lifetime who's already leading the company in leads generated, but keeps running into the same wall: prospects love the workout and the vibe, then hesitate when it's time to buy training packages.We walk step-by-step through his real sales process, from workshops and goal-setting sessions to the InBody scan, the intro workout, and the close. Along the way we break down what his Austin client base looks like, why “pretty fit” members still need coaching, and how travel and inconsistent schedules complicate adherence. Then we get tactical about personal training sales: how to tighten the presentation, stop overselling, remove apologetic “it's expensive” language, and use silence as a closing tool instead of filling the space with extra explanations.The biggest shift is learning how to turn “need” into “want.” We dig into how the last five to eight minutes of an intro session can create a clear, emotional proof of value with smart intensity, the right exercise choices, and a memorable finish that makes someone think, “That's what I've been missing.” If you want better conversions, stronger fitness consultations, and a repeatable close you can refine like film study, this is the playbook. Subscribe, share this with a trainer who's stuck at the close, and leave a review with your biggest sales objection 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!SUF-STM LIVE calls helping trainers level up their business and mentorship.Shoulder discomfort can turn a confident lifter into someone who dreads incline day, and the worst part is how often the “fix” starts with a guess and ends with a scary label. We walk through a clear, trainer-safe approach that starts where it should: keep a physical therapist in your network, stay in your scope, and collect the right data before you touch a single “corrective.” We dig into why pain is multifactorial through the biopsychosocial model and why words matter. Calling something scapular dyskinesis might sound smart, but it can create fear, guarding, and a client who thinks they're broken. Instead, we focus on what you can actually do as a coach: take a clean history, run simple movement screens, watch for red flags like numbness or shooting pain, and refer out fast when it's not your lane. Then we get practical with shoulder anatomy, scapular control, and the common “kink” many people miss: limited thoracic mobility that forces the shoulder to compensate. You'll hear exactly how we use soft tissue work to calm down overworked areas like the upper traps and infraspinatus, then build real tolerance with a progression that includes isometrics, heavy slow resistance, and finally a return to the demand. We finish with training options like the landmine press and loaded eccentrics to help clients press again with confidence. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a coach who trains around shoulder pain, and leave a review so more lifters and trainers can find a smarter path back to strong shoulders.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!Read the article here on Showupfitness.com: https://www.showupfitness.com/blogs/blog/chronic-tendon-pain-why-load-beats-rest-and-what-shockwave-actually-doesThat nagging Achilles that “felt better with rest” and then flared the second you returned to training isn't bad luck, and it usually isn't an inflammation problem you can ice away. Chronic tendon pain is often a capacity problem, which means the fix is not doing less forever, it's rebuilding tolerance with the right load, the right timeline, and the right rules.We read a detailed article from Dr. Rob, a physical therapist and clinic owner, and translate it into practical coaching for personal trainers. We break down what tendinopathy actually looks like in chronic cases, why the old “tendinitis” model leads people into months of stop-start training, and how the pain monitoring model gives you guardrails without demanding zero discomfort. The centerpiece is the 24-hour rule: judge your dosage by how the tendon feels tomorrow, not just how it feels mid-set.From there, we lay out a four-stage tendon rehab and return-to-sport framework you can run with cleared clients: isometrics for high irritability, heavy slow resistance as the main tendon remodeling tool, energy storage work for running and jumping, and a smart return to the real demand while keeping strength work in the plan. We also call out common trainer mistakes, the importance of upstream strength, and the specific red flags that mean you stop and refer out.We finish by getting honest about shockwave therapy (ESWT): what it is, where evidence is strongest, and why it never builds tendon capacity on its own. If you want more confident programming, better outcomes, and a stronger PT referral network, 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!A sales sheet won't save a shaky consult, but a confident coach can. We're live at Equinox running a real-time role-play with West, right after a hard chest session, to show what personal training sales actually looks like when the client is excited, hesitant, and ready to bolt with “I'll think about it.” If you've ever fumbled the pricing, overexplained packages, or felt weird about “closing,” you'll hear exactly where the momentum drops and how to get it back without turning into a pushy salesperson.We walk through two consult scenarios: the first where the subscription pitch gets muddy, and the second where the client pushes back on price and even complains about the gym being too hot. From there, we break down the fixes that matter in fitness coaching and client acquisition: eliminate decision fatigue, make the plan feel obvious, and ask for the next commitment while the energy is still high. “How does tomorrow look?” beats vague follow-ups, and a service-first response can turn a complaint into trust when you handle it like a luxury, service-based gym should.Then we zoom out into the deeper skill: selling value. That means connecting training to outcomes people actually want like strength milestones, confidence, consistency, better days outside the gym, and yes, a better life. We also dig into client retention tactics like multiple points of contact, referral energy, and asking for honest feedback so you don't get ghosted and start doubting your career.If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a coach who needs the confidence boost, 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!Hands on learning workshop with SUF x Life Time Fitness partnership. How to train a client who has low back pain? The best hands on learning workshop / seminars for personal trainers. Show Up Fitness Low Body seminarLow back pain is everywhere, and the worst part is how quickly it turns into fear: fear of bending, fear of lifting, fear of the next flare up, fear of what an MRI might “find.” We're teaching from Franklin near Nashville with a room full of trainers, using a real world approach that blends pain science with coaching instincts, so you can stop guessing and start making smart decisions inside a personal trainer's scope.We dig into the biopsychosocial model of pain and why discs, degeneration, and “abnormal” imaging can show up in people who feel totally fine. Then we shift to what actually helps many backs: movement that is scaled to the person, repeated in pain free ranges, and progressed like any training program. You'll hear how we use exposure therapy and hope as tools, plus a practical daily flow that builds mobility, stability, and tissue tolerance without poking the bear.From there we run through clear screens to identify likely pain drivers: flexion, extension, lateral flexion, compression, and thoracic rotation. We talk red flags, when to refer out, and how to avoid cookie cutter plans by matching drills to what the client tolerates today. We also demonstrate quadratus lumborum soft tissue mobilization options and why breathing and positioning can change everything.If you coach clients with low back pain, want better screening, or simply want your own back to feel more resilient, you'll leave with a simple framework you can apply immediately. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the biggest back pain myth you want us to tackle 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!Incline bench press has a way of making strong lifters feel brand new under the bar. If you've ever wondered why your flat bench numbers don't carry over, we walk through the real mechanics that make incline pressing so challenging and so valuable for upper chest strength and hypertrophy. We break it down into five clear drivers: anatomy (the clavicular head of the pectoralis major has less “real estate” to contribute), torque (more distance and tougher angles), leg drive (harder to wedge and get that back-and-up bar path), the SAID principle (you adapt to what you practice, and most people don't practice incline enough), and range of motion (which can expose flexibility limits fast). Along the way, we talk shoulder discomfort on incline bench press, why it shows up, and how to troubleshoot it with better mobility, soft tissue work, and smart exercise selection. We also get practical about programming: when it makes sense to keep barbell incline, when to run a short block with dumbbell incline for a friendlier shoulder position, and how changing fly angles can shift chest emphasis depending on what you're trying to build. If you care about pressing strength, powerlifting carryover, or getting that upper chest to finally show up, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with your biggest incline bench struggle or PR so we can talk about 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!Location: Austin C4 / Nutrabolt. Time 8-4https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-low-back-pain-in-training-with-katie-dabrowski-and-q-willey-tickets-1996909407794CODE: SHOWUPFITNESS $50 offDoc Q IG: Coach_Q_Physio & Doc Katie: KtdabrowskiBack pain is one of the fastest ways to make a confident lifter feel fragile and it's also one of the easiest places for bad information to hijack a training plan. We sit down with physical therapists Doc Q and Doc Katie to talk about what actually feels “scary” in both personal training and physical therapy: flare-ups, client anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to deliver a perfect fix when pain doesn't behave like a neat checklist. We dig into pain science and the biopsychosocial model of pain, including why fear based language and over-medicalization can create nocebos that shrink someone's life. You'll hear how they think about progressive overload in rehab, why many posture and biomechanics stories don't hold up well in research, and how to stop treating every ache as a crisis. A key takeaway is the “trainable menu” for low back pain: keep a list of movements someone can train right now, then build smart entry points back into the positions they fear or avoid. We also cover when imaging makes sense, when surgery is truly appropriate, and why population level data often favors conservative care while still leaving room for individual exceptions like progressive neurological symptoms. If you coach clients, treat patients, or manage your own low back pain, you'll walk away with clearer language, better decision making, and more confidence under the bar. Subscribe, share this with a coach or clinician, and leave a review with the biggest back pain myth you want gone.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 hands on learning seminar at Life Time in Franklin Tennessee. If you want to become a successful personal trainer, find personal training certifications and specializations like SUF STM to make you an elite personal trainer. Next personal training seminar Tampa September 25/26.That deep “right there” ache in your low back can make you feel stuck, especially when stretching and foam rolling do nothing. We walk you through a practical way to determine when the quadratus lumborum (QL) might be involved and how to stop guessing with your hands. If you work with clients or you're trying to manage your own low back tightness, this is a clear, anatomy-based approach you can use immediately.We demo a QL release in a prone position, including the detail most people miss: you have to get under the erectors and direct pressure toward the spine, not just press straight down on the surface. Then we layer in the simplest performance upgrade we know for soft tissue work, 360-degree breathing. When someone can breathe into the back and sides instead of only the chest, the tissue response changes fast, and the release becomes more comfortable and more effective.We also compare positioning options, because bodies are different. Side-lying can give better leverage for bigger bodies or anyone who's hard to access prone, and we share a third variation using a supported deep squat with a reach. Finally, we connect the dots for runners and high-intensity training: the QL is a frontal plane stabilizer, so repetitive impact and stabilization demands can keep it irritated unless you address it directly and safely with the right landmarks.If this helped you think differently about low back pain, subscribe, share the show with a training partner, and leave a quick review so more people can find it. What's the most stubborn spot in your low back 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!Blaming hormones is comforting because it gives us a villain and a shortcut. We go the other direction and build the real foundation: calories in versus calories out, plus the three forces that quietly drive the whole system, stress, sleep, and daily movement. From cortisol to insulin to thyroid hormones, we explain what these signals actually do, where they come from, and why “too much” and “too little” are both problems. No fear mongering, no miracle cocktails, just physiology you can use.We also unpack how nutrition misinformation spreads. “Sugar is bad” sells, “insulin is the bad guy” sells, and “fix your adrenal fatigue” sells, but simplification is not the same as truth. We talk about why sugar feels addictive in combination foods, how cortisol can be anti-inflammatory, why insulin is essential, and what to do in real-world scenarios like low blood sugar. Then we connect appetite hormones like leptin and ghrelin to sleep loss, chronic dieting, and the difference between psychological hunger and actual physiological hunger.Finally, we zoom out to the big picture: life stages. As we move from school to work to family life, NEAT drops, stress rises, sleep gets crushed, alcohol and caffeine creep in, and processed convenience foods become the default. That shift looks like “a slow metabolism,” but it is usually a predictable pattern we can measure and change. We share the coaching tools we rely on, sleep logs, stress questionnaires, measured food tracking, and meal photos, so progress is based on awareness, not guesses.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who keeps saying “it's my hormones,” and leave a review with the biggest myth you want us to tackle 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!Passing a personal trainer certification feels like you've earned the keys to the gym, until a real client shows up with knee pain, shoulder history, and questions you can't answer with a multiple-choice memory dump. We talk honestly about whether NASM is worth it, why so many “gold standard” certifications still leave trainers with shaky programming skills, and how the industry sets beginners up to confuse a piece of paper with professional competence. We also pull a Reddit-style case study into the spotlight: a trainer using AI to write workout plans, getting better client feedback, even raising prices, and still feeling like a fraud. We break down the line between smart leverage and dangerous dependency, and why AI can support great coaching but can't replace the craft. Real value comes from cueing, judgment, and adapting on the fly, not from reciting overactive muscles or hiding behind acronyms. From there we zoom out to what actually builds a sustainable personal training career: hands-on learning, mentorship, supervised reps, and a team approach that includes referrals to a physical therapist or registered dietitian when it's appropriate. We get into the uncomfortable business truths too, like why so many trainers struggle to sell, why confidence collapses when your product is generic, and how skilled coaches think about pricing and multiple revenue streams. If you're serious about becoming a respected, high-earning trainer, this is a roadmap for what to learn next and what to stop trusting. Subscribe for more honest coaching talk, share this with a trainer who's feeling stuck, and leave a review with the biggest skill you're working on 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!Your client doesn't need to feel wrecked to get ready for the trail. We walk through a real program design for a 68-year-old retired client who trains three days per week and does Pilates, with a primary goal of lower body strength and endurance for an upcoming hiking vacation and a secondary goal of longevity, mobility, and overall health. We start with how to think like a coach from minute one: warm-ups that respect an older adult's response to volume, how to watch breathing and fatigue, and why “just add more rounds” can backfire. Then we dig into smart circuit construction using core movement patterns, with a big focus on sequencing. If your accessories are too demanding (think step-ups placed where they crush the next squat set), you can accidentally compromise force production and turn a strength builder into a slow grind. We share simple fixes that keep the main lift strong while still building hiking-specific endurance. From there we review the rest of the three-day split, highlight what's already solid, and add practical ideas for hiking performance: trunk work, frontal-plane stability, carries, and optional drills for reacting to uneven ground. We also explain how to progress the plan with progressive overload, how to keep sessions fresh by rotating accessories, and when to use linear periodization vs daily undulating periodization for real clients. If you coach active older adults, build hiking workouts, or want better personal training programming systems, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with your biggest programming 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 successful nutrition coach making 30k+ annually: https://www.showupfitness.com/products/suf-nutrition-courseMost people think “nutrition coaching” means macros and a food list. We don't. We talk through what it looks like when a trainer treats nutrition like a real service with clear boundaries, a structured assessment, and an actual registered dietitian on the team. The difference is immediate: clients stop getting vague advice during rest periods and start getting a process they can follow, measure, and trust.We get into the nuts and bolts of onboarding: setting expectations up front, keeping nutrition as a separate paid service, and using simple objective measures like blood pressure to stand out in a gym full of coaches who skip the basics. From there we go deeper into behavior change, because fat loss is rarely about knowing what a calorie is. It's stress, sleep, decision fatigue, and the shame loop that makes clients hide what they eat. We break down how to coach weekends, binges, and “off plan” meals without punishment, using habit loops and practical next-step strategies clients can actually execute.You'll also hear the tangible tools that make this work in the real world: food photos, food scales, portion plates, hydration tracking, RD-built snack options, and stress tracking sheets that turn emotions into action steps. If you want to build a professional nutrition coaching offer that gets results and creates a dependable second revenue stream, this gives you the roadmap. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the system you want to implement first.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 98-year-old walks into your gym. Do you panic and reach for a stability ball, or do you coach what actually keeps them independent?We take you inside a real coaching moment from our Show Up Fitness class and lay out how we think about program design for older adults and senior fitness. The big shift is simple but powerful: stop collecting exercises and start coaching movement patterns. We talk through what we look for the moment a client arrives, how we “assess” without forcing uncomfortable screens, and how we choose squat, hinge, push, pull, carry, and transitional work that maps directly to activities of daily living (ADLs) like standing up from a couch or getting off the toilet.From there, we get practical. How do you build a safe 30-minute personal training session that still drives results? We share examples like supported squats, bar presses or machine presses for stable loading, light medicine ball throws for power and fun, and balance games that make clients light up and come back. We also cover progressions, regressions, and why a grounded goblet squat is often smarter than unstable “functional” gadgets for fall-prone clients.Recovery is a make-or-break variable at this age, so we dig into volume, frequency, soreness management, and nutrition for older adults, including a clear protein target to support muscle building despite sarcopenia and dynopenia. We finish with the coaching mindset that keeps people safe: plan for worst-case scenarios, keep the space clean, and earn the right to progress.If you train seniors (or you want to), subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches learn to program with confidence. What's the hardest part about training older clients for you?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!Knee pain that lingers at a low hum can be maddening, especially for runners who feel “mostly fine” until mileage adds up. We walk through a simple, trainer friendly screen for terminal knee extension (TKE) that takes minutes and often exposes a tiny side to side gap you can't afford to ignore. Two to five degrees sounds small, but it can change how the knee loads with every step, rep, and landing.From there, we lay out a clean decision tree: if TKE is limited, we talk daily practice, smart progressions, and how to apply just enough pressure without turning it into a painful battle. If both knees check out, we pivot to ankle dorsiflexion using the wall test (shoes off) and explain why limited ankle mobility can push stress upstream into the knee, especially in running. You'll also hear how to approach soft tissue work and foam rolling in a way that actually reduces sensitivity and makes new range of motion “stick.”Finally, we test what many programs ignore: calf stability and local muscular endurance. We break down the 25 rep single leg calf raise benchmark, what “clean reps” really look like, and how to build a simple weekly calf plan that supports stronger mechanics over time. We also connect the dots anatomically by revisiting the gastrocnemius and why it matters for both the ankle and the knee.If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with a trainer or running buddy, and leave a review telling us which test you're trying first.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 discomfort can be maddening because it often shows up during perfectly normal training. We take a different route: we start with quick safety screens to rule out red flags, then we hunt for the real limiter that keeps stealing motion from the shoulder. A surprising amount of “shoulder pain” is a thoracic spine problem in disguise, and once you see it, your assessments and your programming get a lot clearer.We walk through a clean, repeatable thoracic rotation screen and the biggest mistake that creates a false pass: letting the low back and pelvis do the work. You'll hear exactly how we lock out the lumbar spine, what “good” thoracic rotation looks like, and why a simple standard matters for everyone who presses, pulls, or throws. We also share a practical control test we love: if you can't breathe and talk while holding a position, you don't own that movement, and your body will compensate the moment load shows up.Then we move from assessment to action with corrective exercises you can use right away: smarter thoracic foam rolling with neck support, banded thoracic rotation that stops pelvis cheating, and PNF-style drills that help you earn new range of motion under control. Once thoracic rotation is no longer the bottleneck, we screen humeral flexion for overhead work, show how rib flare and arching sneak in, and lay out a simple way to load new overhead range using a foam roller setup and a kettlebell. If you want better overhead mechanics, fewer flare-ups, and a clearer plan for shoulder mobility and stability, this is your playbook. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with the screen that revealed your biggest limiter.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!AI is turning everyday work into a shortcut button, and that's exactly why we're asking a risky question: is AI making us dumb, or is it exposing who never built real skill in the first place? We break this down through the Dunning-Kruger effect and a wild true story that shows what happens when confidence beats competence. The point isn't to fear AI, it's to stop using it like a mask for weak fundamentals. We get specific about what “sloppy AI” looks like in the fitness industry: ads with obviously broken images, impossible anatomy, and generic messaging that kills trust in seconds. If you're a personal trainer, online coach, or gym owner, you already know how fast people scroll and how quickly they judge. We talk about the simple standards that protect your brand, from proofreading and human review to writing outreach that proves you did your homework and actually care who you're talking to. Then we zoom out to the bigger career move: doubling down on foundations. Anatomy, programming, assessment, pain red flags, and knowing when to refer out aren't optional if you want to be excellent and get paid like it. AI can help you study, organize, and execute, but it can't replace reps in the trenches, mentorship, and the humility to keep learning. If you want AI to make you sharper instead of louder, listen through, then subscribe, share this with a trainer who needs it, and leave a quick review so more coaches find the long-game path. What's one way you're using AI responsibly 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!Calf pain that hits one mile into a run feels like betrayal, but it's often your body giving you useful data. We dig into what running really demands from your lower leg, why the soleus and gastrocnemius take such a beating, and how a sudden spike in volume, frequency, or intensity can push tissue past its current capacity. If you have ever blamed “tight calves” or “bad knees,” we offer a clearer lens: build the foundation first, then earn the mileage. We start with a simple, trainer-friendly screening process that works in the real world. You'll learn the quick ankle dorsiflexion wall test (think 15 degrees minimum, 20 plus as a strong target), why the joint-by-joint approach matters, and how limited ankle range can ripple up to the knee, hip, and low back. We also talk soft tissue work you can apply within scope, then retest immediately so you know if you actually changed anything before the next run. From there we move into strength and performance. Running is unilateral and repetitive, so we want single-leg stability drills, lateral hip control, and a clear benchmark: can you hit 25 to 30 single-leg calf raises through full range? If not, we lay out a practical calf training plan with progressive overload, smart rep targets, and weekly prehab that includes frontal plane work and core strength. We also cover when a competent coach should refer out and why every trainer benefits from a team that includes a DPT and registered dietitian. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a runner or trainer, and leave a review so more people stop guessing and start training with a plan.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 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've heard “eat more fiber,” but almost nobody explains it in a way clients actually remember or apply. We keep it simple and useful: soluble fiber acts like a sponge, and insoluble fiber works like a broom. That one shift makes nutrition coaching easier, whether you're helping a client manage hunger, improve gut health, or make sense of cholesterol labs without getting lost in jargon.We walk through what soluble fiber does best, including slowing digestion, blunting blood sugar spikes, and supporting healthier LDL cholesterol levels. Then we connect it to real foods people will eat: oats, apples (yes, the skin counts), berries, beans, carrots, flax, and chia. From there, we cover insoluble fiber and why it matters for fullness and regularity, with practical examples like whole wheat, brown rice, seeds, and leafy greens. We also talk about how most foods are a blend, so you don't need a perfect list, you need a consistent pattern.If you've been hearing loud takes about fruit being “bad” because of fructose, we address that fear head-on and explain why fiber-rich fruit can be a net positive for heart health and digestion. We finish with coaching strategy: fiber targets (roughly 38g for men and 25g for women), why jumping from low fiber to high fiber overnight backfires, and how to progress it like training. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a rating and review if it helps you coach nutrition with more confidence.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!Three different ads. Three different certifications. All calling themselves the “gold standard.” That's where we start, because if everyone can claim the top spot, the phrase stops being a standard and turns into a slogan. We break down what most entry-level personal training certifications actually require, and why “read a book, pass a multiple choice test” is a shaky foundation for coaching real humans safely.We get specific about what the job demands in the real world: movement assessment, exercise selection by pattern, smart loading, regressions and progressions, and the people skills that drive retention. We also talk about scope of practice, including when a trainer should refer out and why having a trusted physical therapist or registered dietitian in your corner matters. Feeling “ready” is not the same as being ready, and we dig into why confidence surveys and quick-cert timelines can create a false sense of competence.Then we widen the lens to accountability. We talk about the incentives in the certification business, how specialization bundles and marketing dollars shape what gets taught, and why gyms share blame when they skip true onboarding and mentorship. Finally, we lay out what we believe a real gold standard looks like: hands-on education, consistent feedback, updated exercise science, and the fundamentals of anatomy and programming that let trainers coach any body, not just their own.If you care about the future of personal training, hit subscribe, share this with a trainer who needs to hear it, and leave a rating and review so more coaches find the higher standard.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 sudden shoulder pop during a heavy lift can mess with your head fast. We sit down with Dr. Coleman to map out what a smart, trainer-friendly response actually looks like when you or your client has acute shoulder pain and still wants to train safely.We talk about where a coach's scope begins and ends, why “never train anyone with pain” is unrealistic in the real world, and how to separate DOMS from true tissue irritation. Dr. Coleman shares a simple decision-making framework built around time and trend lines: how symptoms should change from day 0 to day 7, what it means when progress stalls at 10 to 14 days, and why a three-week plateau is often your referral point. We also dig into practical red flags, and why the shoulder can feel more ambiguous than a clearly swollen ankle or Achilles.On the training side, we get specific about movement selection. You'll hear how to use “target tissue” to decide whether an exercise is helping or just poking the bruise, when isometrics can be a better move than more reps, and which pressing positions tend to flare anterior shoulder or biceps tendon irritation. We also tackle the stretching debate, breaking down mobilize versus stabilize so you can make better calls instead of following trends.If you coach strength training, CrossFit, or general fitness, this is a clear, usable playbook. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the shoulder issue you want us to cover 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!The hardest part of becoming a great personal trainer usually isn't programming, it's walking up to strangers and starting the awkward conversation anyway. Tyson Robertson sits down with Sean Hyson, a newly minted Show Up Fitness Level One trainer who just started coaching at Lifetime Fitness in Austin, Texas, to talk through what the first two months really look like inside a premium big-box gym.We get specific about client acquisition and building a book of business: how the concierge desk and intro sessions help, why you still have to work the floor, and how to keep your approach natural instead of pushy. Sean shares what's working best for him right now, including free workshops like joint-friendly strength training and shoulder pain fixes that attract the people most ready to invest. We also talk honestly about who tends to buy training, why “the bros” often resist coaching, and how follow-up creates the multiple touchpoints most members need before they commit.Then we zoom out to the bigger picture: bridge pay, the early financial squeeze, and why sales confidence matters when training packages can run well over $1,000 a month. Sean explains how his background as a longtime fitness writer and editor shaped his coaching, and why AI and the collapse of magazine media pushed him toward a more human, client-facing career. If you're a new CPT trying to succeed at Lifetime, Equinox, or any commercial gym, you'll walk away with practical tactics, real expectations, and a clear reminder that results come from trust, consistency, and smart progressive training.Subscribe for more coach-to-coach conversations, share this with a trainer who's in the trenches, and leave a five-star review if it helps you 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!Most personal trainer certifications teach you what to memorize. We care about what you can coach. We lay out how Show Up Fitness is structured in July 2026, from Level 1 foundations to Level 2 specializations, plus the Freedom Pass built around mentorship and lifetime access. If you're tired of guessing whether you're “ready” to train real people, this breakdown gives you a clear roadmap with live calls, direct feedback, and standards that actually mean something. We walk through the weekly live call schedule and what each coach brings to the table: exercise variations, programming, anatomy, mentorship, and deeper dives with nutrition coaches and physical therapists. You'll hear how we avoid overwhelming new trainers while still giving ambitious coaches a fast path to level up, earn CEUs, and stack specializations that improve your resume and your real-world coaching skill. We also get specific about testing and expectations. For the CPT, we talk anatomy requirements, movement patterns, and how we evaluate programming and movement competency through Zoom and video submissions. On the advanced side, we cover the nutrition certification with registered dietitian support, motivational interviewing, and the Vitality partnership that can include 80 to 100 biomarkers. For soft tissue and pain-focused coaching, we explain the value of hands on seminars and an internship under a physical therapist so you build confidence through practice, not hype. If you want a career path that rewards curiosity and competence, share this with a trainer who's stuck, and subscribe so you don't miss what we're building. Leave a review, send it to a friend, and 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!A single “cheat meal” can quietly erase a full week of progress and it usually happens in plain sight. We start with a deceptively simple question: how many calories are really in a burger with bacon and sauce, a loaded baked potato, and a big beer? Then we unpack why traditional food logs often fail, why photo tracking changes everything, and how coaches can spot the difference between honest effort and inaccurate reporting without turning nutrition into a guilt trip.From there, we react to a viral influencer claim that you should not give weight loss advice unless you've been over 200 pounds and lost it yourself, plus the idea that fat loss is “99% mental.” We challenge the gatekeeping, separate lived experience from true expertise, and explain why evidence-based coaching still has to respect the first law of thermodynamics. Mindset matters because it drives adherence, but it cannot outrun energy balance, especially when plans are unsustainable, protein is too low, sleep is wrecked, hunger is high, and the environment is stacked against consistency.We also get practical about what responsible nutrition coaching looks like: understanding scope of practice, building a referral team (registered dietitian, psychologist, physical therapist), and knowing when a client's situation requires more than macros and motivation. If you care about fat loss coaching, personal trainer development, nutrition education, and cutting through social media noise with real strategy, this one will sharpen your lens fast. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the biggest nutrition myth you want us to tackle 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 want to make 10k+ per month, you need hands on learning. Here is Mr. Aaron from Life Time in Atlanta. He went from barely making $600/ month at LA Fitness to clearing 15k. You can turn your passion for fitness into a career if you get the right certifications and mentorship.A lot of trainers don't fail because they “aren't passionate enough.” They fail because nobody teaches them how to sell ethically, coach like a pro, and build a career that survives the brutal turnover of big-box gyms. Aaron joins us from Atlanta to share what it really looked like starting out in commercial gyms, where 30-minute sessions, low rates, and constant churn can make personal training feel like a dead end fast. We walk through Aaron's path from training friends and family to LA Fitness and Crunch, then into a semi-private studio, and finally to Lifetime, where the expectations and the opportunities are on a different level. Aaron breaks down the mindset shift required to stop feeling weird about price, how he learned to present higher-ticket training with confidence, and why clients at premium gyms can spot the difference between “counting reps” and true coaching. We also dig into the practical details: how he's charging $125 per session, what it took to level up his professionalism, and why “clients can't afford it” is often just scarcity thinking. One of the biggest takeaways is how to create demand by delivering a real experience. Aaron explains how a hands-on seminar helped him improve assessments, interaction, and session flow, leading to $1,500 in new business right away. We also cover smart growth levers inside a gym like Lifetime: referrals, front-desk relationships, workshops for common pain points, and even point-of-sale strategies that let you win business without discounting yourself into the ground. If you're a new trainer or an experienced coach who wants better income, better retention, and a clearer path forward, this one is packed with real-world personal trainer advice, sales strategies, and career lessons you can apply today. Subscribe, share this with a trainer who needs it, and leave a review. What's the hardest part for you right now: getting leads, closing, or charging what you're worth?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 to program workouts for beginners GIRL. Become a successful personal trainer w/ SUF CPTA certification can tell you what a muscle does, but it will not tell you what to do when a paying client shows up with a cranky shoulder, high stress, and big goals. We start with a real text from a trainer moving from group classes to one-on-one coaching, then we get concrete about the practical side: assessments, exercise selection, programming, and the on-the-floor decisions that separate average trainers from great coaches. We break down an actual week of training for a 62-year-old executive who wants to lose weight, get stronger, and move better. You'll hear how we organize lower body and upper body emphasis, why a safety bar squat can be the smarter choice, and how circuits can flow from jumps to squats to core without turning into random “stuff.” We also talk about using eccentrics, chin-up progressions, and simple but effective variations that keep the plan individualized. Then we zoom out to the bigger coaching picture: METCON programming, daily undulating periodization, and why training power matters for aging, including dynopenia and sarcopenia. We also share how we use balance and proprioception games, plus what it means to treat personal training like a service industry with real client care. Finally, we explain why qualified trainers collaborate with physical therapists, doctors, and RDs and how referrals protect your client and your reputation. If you want more practical coaching breakdowns like this, subscribe, share this 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!How to program workouts for beginners, if you're a struggling personal trainer, SUF-CPT is the certification that will help you become qualified.Most trainers don't struggle with effort, they struggle with structure. A listener asks a deceptively simple programming question: if you bench press on Monday, should you bench again later in the week or swap it out to “keep it fresh”? We break down why constant reinvention often kills progress, and how a smart plan makes clients feel challenged, confident, and motivated because the numbers actually move.We walk through a clear three-day, full-body routine that still emphasizes upper body development using the CCA approach. You'll hear how we pair push, pull, and press patterns, where to place legs so you don't turn strength training into an unintended cardio session, and how to use accessories for variety without compromising force production on the main lifts. We also cover practical exercise progressions, like turning pull-ups into loaded chin-ups, switching from bilateral to single-arm dumbbell pressing, and adjusting rep targets based on training age.Then we zoom out into the coaching side: why straight sets can waste time, how to think about metabolic conditioning and METCON placement, and how to manage volume, frequency, and intensity with simple periodization so months two through four are easier, not harder. If you coach clients who want a bigger chest, stronger upper body, and consistent results, this gives you a template you can apply immediately.Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a rating and review so we can keep raising the standard for personal trainer programming.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!Email info@showupfitness.com for the sale of the century w/ SUF FREEDOM sale. All certs, 1 seminar and life time access to the SUF platform to become ELITE.Four-week certifications and “just learn on the job” sound convenient until you watch trainer after trainer burn out, undercharge, and disappear. We are celebrating the weekend by calling out the uncomfortable reality in the fitness industry: personal training is treated like a shortcut profession, even though clients trust us with pain, movement, and life-changing goals. If you want to become a successful personal trainer in 2026, you need more than a textbook and a logo in your Instagram bio. We break down why the quit rate stays so high, what managers and top trainers report from inside big gyms, and how the system fails new coaches by starving them of hands-on continuing education and real mentorship. We also get specific about what competence looks like: anatomy you can actually explain, programming built on principles, and a process for screening, modifying, and referring out when a client shows up with shoulder, knee, or low back issues. Safety is not a buzzword, it is the foundation of confidence. Then we connect the technical side to the business side: why trainers get stuck at $25 to $50 an hour, how a lack of skill shows up as fear of sales, and how to build a clear offer, follow-up pipeline, and professional demeanor that makes clients want to commit. We also talk about leveling up with support from experienced coaches, physical therapists, and registered dietitians, plus adding additional revenue streams like nutrition coaching and deeper health education so your career has staying power. If you are tired of guessing and ready to build real expertise, listen now, share this with a trainer who needs it, and subscribe so you do not miss what we publish next. If you got value, leave a review and tell us: what is the biggest thing holding trainers back where you live?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!Dan Garner - Vitality Blueprint co-founder review on swearing FB post July 3rd 2026.One word can change your output, and the data is wild. We're talking about swearing and physical performance, sparked by a 2024 mini review in Frontiers in Psychology that pulls together controlled studies on what happens when you repeat a swear word during a max-effort attempt versus a neutral word. Same task, same setup, different word, and the “explicit” option starts to look like a legitimate training variable.We walk through the headline results and why they matter for real-world coaching: wall sits held longer, more push-ups to failure, longer planks, stronger grip strength, and even a bump in Wingate test peak and average power. We also zoom out for perspective on how big those percentage changes are compared to typical training gains, and why replication makes this more than a one-off gimmick.Then we get practical and a little uncomfortable in the best way: why the mechanism is still unclear, why you shouldn't assume it transfers to long endurance efforts, and how to apply it ethically as a coach. We talk mirroring clients, setting expectations, respecting your environment in busy gyms, and the fine line between “authentic” and “unprofessional,” especially when one offended person can cost you a review, a referral, or a room full of trust.If you like evidence-based training with real-life coaching judgment, hit subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, 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!IGs to follow: heather gregory realtor, conniebegonnie, dr. ashley dwyer, amanda.thebe, mike doehla, jebShe spent decades avoiding gyms, then a single question lit the fuse: which burns more calories, cardio or weight training? Heather's answer, plus the surprising reaction she saw online, pushed her from curious to committed and straight into a personal trainer certification. What follows is a real-world look at how a midlife career change can work when you stop chasing hacks and start building skills.We talk about hiring an online coach across the country, why logging food is uncomfortable but powerful, and how “eat more” can be the missing step for body recomposition when you've been stuck in the fat-free mindset for years. Heather breaks down what it's like to learn macros from scratch, train with purpose instead of punishment cardio, and finally feel in control of results. If you're searching for practical guidance on online coaching, macro tracking, strength training for women, or how to become a personal trainer later in life, this conversation connects the dots.We also get into the bigger problem: fitness misinformation. From influencer hormone drama to supplement noise, we share how conferences, mentorship, and a strong coaching community sharpen your critical thinking so you can help clients with integrity. Heather lays out her next steps, including nutrition coaching, training out of a home gym, and starting with friends through word of mouth.Subscribe for more honest coaching conversations, share this with a friend who's thinking about a career pivot, and leave a review with the biggest fitness myth you want us to tackle 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!Become a nutrition coach w/ Show Up Fitness Nutrition Coaching Certification learning how to interpret blood panels w/ the Vitality Blueprint partnership while networking with RD'sA 40% testosterone increase in your 40s sounds like hype until you see the labs, the timeline, and the unsexy habits that actually move the needle. We walk through my blood work and why a “normal” total testosterone range can still leave you performing below your potential, especially when sleep, stress, body fat, and micronutrients are quietly dragging you down.We also talk about our partnership with Vitality Blueprint and what changes when you stop relying on the standard 10 to 20 lab markers and start looking at 80+ markers with clear recommendations and scientific references. That bigger picture helps you avoid the common trap of getting sold on TRT as the first option. TRT can be the right call for some people, but we make a strong case for optimizing naturally first, using a structured test, plan, retest approach and working alongside medical professionals when needed.You'll hear practical strategies for testosterone optimization and longevity: lifting weights without fearing cardio, eating enough protein and healthy fats, improving vitamin D, managing cortisol, reducing alcohol, avoiding estrogen-like chemicals where possible, and building a sleep routine that actually works, including getting your phone out of the bedroom. If you're a coach, we also get into how blood work and better systems can level up your service while keeping you in your lane.Subscribe, share this with a friend who's “fine” but tired, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: what's the one habit you're changing first?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!$120,000 as a personal trainer is not a mystery, it is math plus strategy. We start with the clean target of $10K per month and work backward into what your week actually needs to look like, including the part most people ignore: clients say they will train three times a week, then life happens. Missed sessions, weak cancellation policies, travel, sickness, and burnout turn “perfect plans” into messy income fast, especially at $50 per session.We walk through the real numbers at $50, $75, and $100 per session, and how each tier changes the size of your client roster and the stress level of your calendar. We also get blunt about the thought experiment that should shape your whole business: why work more when you can work less and get paid more? If you want a sustainable personal training career, your pricing has to match your skill, your market, and the results you deliver.Then we go beyond sessions into personal trainer revenue streams, especially nutrition coaching done the right way. We talk about separating training from nutrition, earning the “green light” after a month of consistency, building accountability with food logging, and even partnering with a registered dietitian for monthly calls and deeper client support. We close with a simple 60/30/10 model for training, nutrition, and supplements, plus ideas for email lists, content, and online coaching so your income is not tied to one gym or one crisis. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the rate you want to charge 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!The fastest way to fail the NASM CPT is to study like you're trying to become a walking textbook. We take the opposite approach: pass the exam quickly, then put your energy into the hands-on coaching skills, people skills, and business confidence that actually keep trainers in the industry.We walk through the NASM OPT model in a way that makes test questions feel predictable. You'll hear how NASM frames periodization across stabilization, strength, and power, and exactly which acute variables you should memorize to win easy points: reps, sets, intensity, tempo, and rest intervals. We also cover muscle actions, why plyometrics bring up the amortization phase, and how ATP recovery shows up in rest-period questions. The goal is simple: recognize the pattern, pick the answer, move on.Then we connect the certification to the career: why hands-on seminars beat endless reading, how to think about getting hired at top gyms, and why a diversified resume can be the difference between getting an interview and getting ignored. We also talk about building a support team, delivering better assessments, and charging like a professional when you can truly help people.If you're studying for the NASM CPT exam or you're rebuilding momentum after stalling out, this one will help. Subscribe for more practical coaching, share this with a friend who's stuck in the book, and leave a review so more future trainers can find the shortcut that actually works.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 become a successful personal trainer? SUF CPT, SUF STM, SUF NC will help trainers build the streams of revenue, confidence and teams to become successful making over $100,000/ year.Random circuits look creative, but they usually produce one thing fast: tired clients who are not getting stronger. We break down a clean, repeatable way to design small group training programs using movement patterns and a simple circuit template (CCA) that you can run in almost any environment, from a fully equipped gym like Lifetime or Equinox to a smaller studio with limited stations. If you coach personal training and want better flow, better progressions, and fewer “what do I do next?” moments, this is your playbook.We talk through how to build full body strength sessions even when clients think they only want glutes, abs, or arms. The secret is pairing core lifts with accessories that do not steal force production from the main pattern. You will hear practical examples for groups of three where everyone shares the same squat, pull, and plank patterns, plus ways to swap variations when you do not have enough racks or pull-up bars. We also cover rotating stations, where the coaching focus goes, and how to keep accessories engaging without turning the workout into a circus.Then we get honest about a common mistake in small group fitness classes: mixing heavy lifting with early cardio. When conditioning comes first, strength output drops, loads drop, and results slow down. We explain how to place jumps and power work for fast twitch recruitment, when to save cardio for a game or a finisher, and how to make five-person circuits work without compromising performance. Finally, we zoom out to programming systems like progressive overload, simple testing on day one and day 30, and monthly templates that help clients chase PRs and stay bought in.If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a review with your biggest small group training challenge 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!Most new trainers think the first job interview is a quiz on anatomy. It usually isn't. What hiring managers really watch is whether you show up early, communicate like a pro, and can connect with everyday members who want results, not gym jargon. We walk through how to prepare for a personal trainer interview when you are still finishing a NASM certification, and how to make a strong first impression without pretending you know everything. We also zoom out and talk about gym tiers. High-volume chain gyms often hire fast, pay less, and may not test much beyond basic competence and reliability. Higher-end clubs like Lifetime or Equinox tend to run a more formal hiring process, sometimes with phone screens, practical coaching tests, and role play that reveals how you think under pressure. We share the research steps that help you stand out: learn the gym's mission statement and core values, understand how their personal training department works, and tailor your story to the members you will actually train. The biggest shift is turning the interview into a two-way filter. We give you high-value questions to ask managers about mentorship, continuing education, onboarding, getting clients, and support with programming and sales. We also cover presence and confidence: a tight elevator pitch, strong posture, fewer filler words, and simple ways to handle sales conversations without sounding pushy. If you want to get hired at a gym, grow your confidence fast, and build a long-term career in personal training, listen through and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the one interview question you're going to use 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!The fastest way to fail the NASM CPT exam is to study like you're trying to become a walking textbook. We're personal trainers, and most of us learn by doing. So we break down how to pass the NASM CPT without drowning in chapters you'll never use, and why a focused plan can realistically get you across the finish line in less than 30 days.We map out the handful of areas that keep showing up: the human movement system, behavior change coaching, the assessment process (yes, overhead squat assessment concepts like compensations and overactive vs underactive muscles), the OPT model and its phases, acute variables, energy systems, basic nutrition, and the key terms you must be able to recognize on sight. The point isn't to “know everything” it's to know what the exam rewards and to build a study routine you can actually stick to.Then we get honest about the mental side. NASM-style practice questions can read like they were written to mess with you, and that confusion often triggers automatic negative thoughts and wasted study time. We share how to “put the NASM hat on,” focus on the words that matter, and stop letting tricky phrasing shake your confidence.Passing the certification is step one. Coaching real clients is where your career is made, so we also talk internships, supervised reps, learning from physical therapists and experienced coaches, and why relying on random internet advice can leave you stuck when a real human shows up with pain, limitations, or complex needs. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a future trainer, and leave a review. What part of the NASM CPT is stressing you out most 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!Improve your soft skills as a trainer and you will get more clients. PTL1 Mike from Toronto Canada, talks about how Show Up Fitness helps trainers level up their business and technical skills. How to improve your people skills? That's what we discussed today.Your schedule isn't empty because you “need a better certification.” It's empty because you're avoiding the one skill that makes personal training a real career: connecting with members on the gym floor. Chris sits down with Mike, a Toronto-based PT leader, to get painfully practical about how great trainers get hired, get noticed, and get clients without acting like a pushy salesperson. We dig into what Mike looks for in interviews, including a hands-on practical where trainers must show progressions and regressions and prove they can coach movement patterns safely. From there, we zoom out to the business side of personal training: why floor engagement has faded over the last decade, why app-booked consults often no-show, and how a quick “wow factor” interaction can make someone 10x more likely to show up and buy. Mike shares easy, low-pressure ways to start conversations, from offering a towel to giving a simple form cue in the machine area, plus how to exit gracefully when someone isn't interested. If you're more introverted, this conversation still hits hard. Mike explains how to build confidence through reps, start with easy wins, and adopt a mindset of service: you're not “selling,” you're helping people avoid injury, train with purpose, and finally see progress. We also get into consult questions that uncover the real why behind a goal, plus how to “paint the picture” with long-term programming and realistic timelines so clients stay for months, not weeks. If you want more clients and better retention, press play, take notes, and try one floor interaction today. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the one tip you're going to use first.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 clients say they are eating “1,200 calories,” but the photos tell a very different story. We walk through a clean, practical way to do macro calculations that you can explain to real humans, then zoom out to the bigger issue: macro targets only work when they are built on honest intake data and consistent habits.We start with a simple baseline calorie estimate (bodyweight times 10) and show exactly how to convert calories into grams of carbohydrates, protein, and fat using the rules that never change: carbs are 4 calories per gram, protein is 4 calories per gram, and fat is 9 calories per gram. Using average examples, we reveal how quickly protein can end up shockingly low, why high-carb days can quietly dominate someone's intake, and how a 3,500-calorie “normal day” turns into massive numbers on paper. Along the way, we call out the common coaching trap of giving generic advice like “eat a gram of protein per pound” without adjusting the rest of the diet.From there, we lay out a three-phase nutrition coaching framework: build awareness with food logs and meal photos, drive behavior change with sleep and stress inputs, and move toward longevity with more individualized support, often alongside a registered dietitian and lab work insights. If you are a personal trainer who wants better client results and a more professional nutrition coaching service, this is the roadmap. Subscribe, share this with a coach who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest calorie-tracking blind spot.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 to Become A Successful Personal Trainer vol. 2 interviews coaches and trainers who have lead a successful personal training career. HINT HINT, they don't praise textbook certifications, they focus on hands on learning and building teams.If you want to make real money as a personal trainer, “getting certified” is not the finish line, it's the starting line. We're pulling back the curtain on what we see from the one percenters in the industry: the coaches clearing $125,000+ a year while everyone else wonders why their calendar is empty and their confidence is shaky. We walk through three traits that keep showing up among high performers. First, they chase hands-on learning, not just books and bundles. They do seminars, internships, mentorships, and supervised reps in the trenches, because that's where you learn to handle knee pain, shoulder issues, and real-world client chaos without freezing. Second, they build a serious network, especially physical therapists (DPTs) and registered dietitians (RDs) they can actually talk to, not just follow online. That support raises your competence, your results, and your ability to charge premium rates with integrity. Then we tackle the taboo topic: looking the part. Not extremes, not unrealistic influencer standards, but a clear signal that you practice what you preach and you fit your market. We also share practical ways to “level up” fast, from picking the right mentors to running a SWOT analysis on your business and physique. If you're done with the quick-fix mindset and ready to build a sustainable personal training career, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.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!Thinking about becoming a personal trainer after 50?SUF has helped over 10,000 people pass NASM CPT. In this episode, we sit down with Shiv, who passed her NASM exam at age 59 using the Show Up Fitness Study Guide and is proving it's never too late to start a second career in fitness.We discuss: • Becoming a personal trainer later in life • Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome • How she passed NASM • What the fitness industry is really like • Advice for aspiring trainers over 50 • Why experience and people skills matter more than age• Hands on learning with SUF CPT in Santa Monica

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!How to become a successful personal trainer vol 2 has an entire chapter on getting clients - 10 R's of getting clients. If you want to become a successful personal trainer, start by reading the book, not an 800 page textbook.You can be an amazing trainer and still struggle to get clients if your marketing is built on hope instead of systems. I'm sharing a simple referral strategy that consistently brings in high-quality leads: build real partnerships with chiropractors (and other allied pros), then make it easy and profitable for them to send people your way. It's not about begging for referrals. It's about showing up like a business professional and creating a clean, repeatable process that benefits the client, the chiropractor, and your coaching. We get tactical with what to say, how to say it, and where most trainers lose the deal. I walk through two approaches: paying for an initial chiropractic assessment to build trust fast, or starting lean with Instagram DMs and multiple follow-ups. You'll hear why directness matters, how to offer a complimentary workout without sounding passive, and how to set the precedent that your relationship is long-term and collaborative. Then we do the numbers. If you spend a few hundred dollars on an assessment and a lunch but land one 72-session package, the ROI can dwarf what you'd ever see from random ads. I also explain a smart package structure where the chiropractor keeps a premium for referring, why “go for no” follow-up wins, and how to position yourself as more than the stereotype of a trainer with selfies and weak anatomy knowledge. If you want more personal training clients, better client referrals, and a stronger network in your local fitness market, listen through and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend who needs leads, and leave a review with the outreach step you're committing to this week.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 want to become a nutrition coach and make over 30k EXTRA dollars as a personal trainer, SUF-NC teaches you the fundamentals of nutritional science, teaches you how to scale a new stream of revenue and you get to work alongside of a registered dietitian. showupfitness.comTwo tacos should be an easy entry in a food tracker, right? We start with a simple photo test that exposes a brutal truth about weight loss: most of us are not “bad at dieting,” we are bad at estimating what we eat, especially when food is made for us. That one skill gap can turn an intended deficit into a hidden surplus, and it is why clients can feel stuck, inflamed, and defeated while their log still looks “pretty good.” From there, we take a hard turn into the internet's favorite fuel: fear. We break down the viral strawberry scare, the language of “toxins” and “detox,” and why confident influencers with shaky credentials can out-share careful scientific explanations. We are not here to dunk on people; we are here to show how to evaluate claims, follow incentives, and keep nutrition education grounded in dose, context, and real-world behavior, especially for families trying to shop on a budget. Then we rebuild the fundamentals of nutrition coaching: the six essential nutrients, macros vs micros, and the fuel factors that make macro math simple (4 calories per gram for carbs and protein, 9 for fat, 7 for alcohol). We connect that math to digestion and metabolism, including how carbs relate to glycogen and water weight, why protein has a higher thermic effect of food, and how “all calories are equal” can be both true and incomplete. The deeper point is sustainability: vegan, carnivore, keto, or mixed diets can all work if they fit the person and produce a consistent, livable calorie deficit. If you want a smarter way to think about calories, macros, and misinformation without losing your mind, listen through and share it with someone who is tired of nutrition fearmongering. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what food do you most often underestimate?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 spot the difference between a trainer who memorized a manual and a coach who can change someone's life, and it usually shows up in the messy middle: the first gym job, the first hard “no,” the first client who trusts you with a real goal. We're joined by Caleb Kinney Woods (PTL1 at Lifetime Westminster) to talk about what it takes to grow from frontline trainer to leading a team of 30+ coaches, without losing the craft of training on the floor.We get into the hiring signals that actually matter in the fitness industry: resilience, professionalism, and a track record of learning. Caleb shares why multiple personal training certifications across different systems can be a green flag, not just letters on a resume. We also talk about why trainer turnover is so brutal at many gyms, how that churn affects client trust, and what a development-focused culture does differently to improve client retention and trainer retention.If sales makes you cringe, you'll like the framework here. We break down “value prop” selling, program prescription, and the skill of painting a clear vision from point A to point Z so clients understand what they're paying for and why it works. Along the way we touch on continuing education, nutrition coaching, referring out when needed, and the practical reality of being present, engaged, and dynamic instead of hiding behind a screen.Subscribe for more conversations that make you better at coaching, share this with a trainer who needs momentum, and leave a quick 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!SUF STM is the BEST corrective exercise certification because it helps personal trainers build a better team, assess clients in pain and charge more per hour. The avg suf-stm charges between 100-150/ hr whereas a NASM CES charges on avg $61. With purchase of the SUF-STM, you also get 1 year access to the Prehab Guys Exercise Library which provides more value for clients.Textbook certifications are everywhere, but the moment a client mentions shoulder pain, low back pain, or a post-ACL history, a multiple-choice test does not tell you what to do next. We talk candidly about the best specializations for personal trainers who want more skill, more income, and fewer “I hope this works” moments. The thread that ties it all together is simple: hands-on learning beats passive learning, especially when the goal is coaching performance around pain and keeping clients training safely. We compare big-name corrective exercise certifications with a mentorship-first model that emphasizes soft tissue mobilization within scope, barbell rehab basics, and a real assessment process you can repeat. We also get into what trainers actually need to level up: live feedback, video submissions, and the ability to lean on a physical therapist team when a case gets complex. Along the way, we challenge outdated cross-syndrome thinking, explain why the biopsychosocial model changes how clients experience pain, and share how better communication can improve retention during slow seasons. Finally, we make the case that anatomy mastery is the career shortcut nobody wants to do, but everyone benefits from. Knowing the actions of key muscles, understanding shoulder function, and being able to explain what you see is how you earn trust and charge $100 to $150 per session without feeling “salesy.” If you want a personal training specialization that builds real competence, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the skill you want to master 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 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