By Andre Adams If you are an active bodybuilding competitor, prep coach, or thinking about getting involved in the sport then this blog is for you! We recently introduced the many divisions in the world of bodybuilding and physique competition…
By DANA BENDER The postpartum time period is most often associated with physical recovery from fatigue and the strain of labour and delivery. It is typically defined as the first six weeks after a vaginal delivery or eight weeks after…
By ANDREW MILLS Improving physical performance is as much about maximizing performance quality as balancing and mitigating injury risks and maximizing recovery to prevent maladaptation in response to accumulated and progressive training loads. There is a lot of research focused…
By MARIA DIGIUSEPPE As we get older, our shapes and sizes can change and no matter how long you’re working out or how fit you are, it may be difficult to accept the change or maintain a positive body image…
By Tyler Reid Group exercise has gained popularity as more people find it fun and engaging. This is usually because of the group mentality. Participants challenge themselves more, work harder, and are committed to reaching their fitness goals. As it…
BY KINSEY MAHAFFEY For someone who wants to gain weight and/or increase muscle mass, having a fast metabolism can be seen as a roadblock when it comes to achieving those goals. Maybe you’ve tried eating more to pack on the…
By When I was a student-athlete, wall sits were frequently used as a “character-building” exercise for the whole team. Character-building exercises were typically exercises that required perseverance and grit to push through to the end, thus building our character. As…
By NICOLE GOLDEN One of the most common questions I am asked as a nutrition coach is my feelings on cheat meals and whether I encourage clients to take them. Cheat meals are, by definition, a meal that does not…
By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI Protein, Protein, Protein. By this point, most of us are aware of protein’s muscle-enhancing benefits — especially regarding exercise. But does attaining the highest levels of fitness require the addition of protein powders to your diet? For…
Core stability and strength, while an important component of any person’s fitness profile, is critical for the health and well-being of older adults. Conditions such as balance and coordination deficits, back pain, poor muscle endurance overall can be significantly improved…
By ANDREW PAYNE Do you have trouble losing body fat, yet seem to gain it after even the smallest slip up with your diet? Or does it feel like you can eat for days without gaining an ounce? It could…
By Nicole Golden Spare tire, breadbasket, muffin top, Jello pudding pack, and love handles are all terms synonymous with abdominal (belly) fat. “What should I eat to get rid of this muffin top?” “I heard that XYZ workout program will…
By BRAD DIETER Bulking is a concept that has been around for several decades and is often used in the context of “cutting and bulking.” Bulking refers to the strategy of intentionally consuming enough calories to be in a surplus…
By Nicole Golden Sedentary behavior as defined as sitting or laying down (either at a desk, computer, television, or video game console) has been on the rise and has continued to increase after the COVID pandemic with the increasing prevalence…
By KINSEY MAHAFFEY There are many reasons why someone might decide to start lifting weights, but one of the most common reasons is to lose weight. Consistent exercise, good nutrition, and adequate sleep are critical components of any weight loss…
By JACQUELINE KAMINSKI Testosterone, we all know and love this hormone for helping build massive muscles. More commonly, we are concerned about its importance with men compared to women. However, women greatly benefit from this hormone as well. But first,…
By ANNIE MALAYTHONG A push-up is an exercise you can do anytime, anywhere, but only if you learn the how, what, when, and why of it. Incredibly, this ONE exercise can help you torch calories, build and tone muscle, gain…
By Brad Dieter As seen in our course on plant-based diets. Check it out for even more information! Plant-based diets are dietary approaches that rely mostly or entirely on plant-based foods. These diets often consist of minimally processed fruits, vegetables,…
By Nino Magaddino Fit or not, pay attention to the warning signs your heart is giving you. Your life depends on it. Even as “fit” fitness professionals, we are not immune to heart disease. Here’s how this NASM Master Trainer…
By Sam Arnold WHY SHOULD ATHLETES TRUST THEIR PERSONAL TRAINER? Working with an athlete to achieve on-field success can be one of the most intimidating and complicated tasks for a young trainer to master. There are so many training methods…
By Kinsey Mahaffey The four words every client loves to hear: “It’s time for cardio!” (Cue the collective eye roll from clients around the globe.) As personal trainers, we know that cardiovascular training is undoubtedly an important part of our…
By Kat Barfield I recently visited my optometrist for an annual exam. He has a pleasant bedside manner and happens to be among the 40% of the U.S. adult population who are obese. As I stepped into his office, I…
By Laura Quaglio As NASM Senior Fitness Specialists well know, older adults are a growing segment of the population—and a rewarding group to work with. Check out these amazing perks that your senior clients can enjoy, thanks to your work…
By Lisa Quigley Many are aware of the touted benefits of meditation: increased awareness, decreased anxiety, enhanced peace of mind and an improved connection with the present moment. In The Artist’s Way(Penguin Random House 2016), Julia Cameron describes it like…
By Krista Popowych The dawning of true winter—and holiday gifts of down-filled jackets and cozy snow gloves—may have clients eagerly anticipating a day on the slopes. For those who have yet to start schussing down the mountain, circling the ice…
By Scott Josephson American consumers today have a multitude of options when it comes to choosing low- or no-calorie sweeteners to cut down on sugar and carbs. For those who favor natural products over artificial ones, honey and agave are…
By April Durrett After “James” earned his exercise physiology degree, he was eager to get certified as a personal trainer and begin his career. A college athlete, he had dreams of putting clients through rigorous programs that yielded results, and…
By Maria Luque Lack of physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviors are leading an overall upward trend in obesity, but the effects on children and adolescents are especially alarming. Today, obesity-associated disorders previously found only in adults—high blood…
By Justin Kompf A hypothetical person, we will call him Justin, has a thought: he will wake up at 6:00 a.m. and go to the gym. He closes his eyes to sleep, filled with great intentions to exercise the next…
By DR. Allison BRAGER The expression “training around the clock” has more scientific merit than many would expect. Typically, it’s used to refer to the daily grind of balancing training with work, meal preparation for training, and finding time to…
By Brad Dieter For many people, clients and coaches alike, the start of a new year means a fresh outlook and often, resolutions to change or improve certain areas of your life. Sadly, many New Year’s resolutions don’t end up…
By Justin Kompf Most personal trainers, at some point, will have a consultation with a client who has a weight loss goal. For a few weeks, I had one of my clients message me everything they ate along with their…
By Trish Muse Chances are, at some point in your personal training career, you will work with clients who’ve had a knee replacement or are on track to get one. This can be a daunting prospect to consider, but it…
By Dana Bender Feelings of stress can manifest in different ways for different people. In some cases, internal tension emerges because situations in our lives do not match our internal expectations, or because things do not go as per our…
By Alexandra Williams Avocados may be one solution to manage hunger and aid in metabolic control, according to findings from the Center for Nutrition at Illinois Institute of Technology. In a crossover clinical trial with 31 adults classified as overweight/obese,…
By Alexandra Williams The news isn’t good regarding the influence of social media on the foods children prefer. In a study published in Pediatrics (2019; 143 [4]) of 176 children ages 9–11, doctoral candidate Anna Coates of the University of…
By Brad Dieter High-fat diets have surged in popularity over the last several years, and many nutrition coaches have utilized them with clients for weight loss. Despite their recent popularity, they are not new diets. They have been used over…
By Andrea Cirignana Your clients hire you to help them reach a goal, and you commit just as much time and effort as (if not more than) they do. However, sometimes even the most dedicated clients are completely clueless when…
By Laura Quaglio BUILD NECK STRENGTH TO LOWER CONCUSSION RISK In recent news published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, researchers who examined previous studies on concussion concluded that increasing neck strength “could substantially reduce risk or…
By Sohee Lee There has been a growing interest in personal fitness over the past few decades, and with high-speed access to information, images, and other people at our fingertips, this comes as no surprise. Since the dawn of the fitness industry…
By Brad Dieter One of the most important things regarding “healthy eating” is to understand that what we eat is tied into our habits. A habit is defined as: “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is…
By Pete McCall It may seem as if looking good in tight clothes or thousands of Instagram followers are the requirements for success as a fitness professional. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Long term success in the…
By Maria Luque Stephanie is your newest fitness client. She’s 42 years old and works 50 hours a week as a certified public accountant. She would like to quit smoking, give up junk food and get active—all the foundations of…
By Kat Barefield Lifespan, Healthspan and Playspan Humans are living longer than ever before with the help of modern medicine, science, technology, and access to adequate nutrition. Although the human lifespan can now extend past the century mark, healthspan, which…
By Brad Dieter PROTEIN AND WEIGHT LOSS: HOW MUCH PROTEIN SHOULD YOU EAT TO LOSE WEIGHT? Decades of scientific research on weight loss has uncovered a few key pieces of information on what helps people successfully lose weight. First, we…
By RYAN HALVORSON Originally published in the Summer 2019 issue of American Fitness Magazine. When I first became a personal trainer some 14 years ago, I was obsessed with corrective exerciseand movement perfection. Prospective clients watched as I geeked out…
By STACEY PENNEY, MS, NASM-CPT, CES, PES, FNS What muscle fiber types will take an athlete from good to great? Looking to build endurance? What about power? Do dreams of being an all-star hitter or marathon runner need to be…
By NASM Discomfort from too much sitting? Inactive glutes? Buttock and leg pain? Though small in size, the piriformis could have a big impact on keeping the human movement system moving smoothly. Addressing an overactive piriformis may be part of…
By KANDI STULL, MS Advertisers market their products to fight that 2:30 crash. Coffee chains promote their afternoon caffeinated happy hours to help get you through the day. Some cultures even have an after-lunch siesta to combat fatigue. What if there…
By Ryan Andrews & Brian St. Pierre We’re often asked whether dairy is good or bad. Short answer: It depends. In this article, we’ll help you make sense of the research — and the wildly different opinions — sharing everything…
Vincent M. Pedre, M.D.Gut Health Specialist & Best-Selling Author The mbg Collective is a curated group of our most trusted wellness advisers. Since 2009, we’ve had the brightest, most passionate, and mission-driven leaders in wellness share their intimate stories and world-class advice. Now, we’re…
By NASM Working with a client to increase their athletic performance is a rewarding experience. The reality is that anyone can benefit from performance training and there are many different types of athletes. An athlete can be a competitive player…