The Show Up Fitness Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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