Single-leg strength is a highly-coveted physical quality when it comes to advancing your health, fitness, and performance. It’s important to build durability in single-leg exercises so that your lower body can be strong enough to withstand the demands of playing sports, going for a run, and lifting weights. We are going to break down single-leg strength with respect to the deadlift (hip hinge) pattern …
coaching
What COVID-19 Taught Us: Why You Need To Build Your Personal Brand
Just when we thought we were knee deep already in the digital age, 2020 has shown us that technology is both the present and the future. With the spread of COVID-19, businesses of all types have moved online and have employees working from home. I even have some friends whose business is choosing not to renew the lease on their building to save money, as they realized they can be sustainable with the company working …
Building Single-Leg Strength from the Ground Up: Part 1
Being strong and durable on one leg bodes well for all aspects of health and performance. Whether you’re an endurance athlete who runs a lot, an athlete in a field or court-based sport, or just looking to get stronger on one leg in the gym, this information is for you. In part 1, the focus will be on building single-leg strength with respect to the single-leg squat pattern. Then, we will tackle the …
Managing Your Athlete’s Recovery When Returning To The Weight Room
With the gyms beginning to open up again, we’ll probably see an influx of new members and people starving to get fit. Something akin to New Year’s resolutions will kick in but perhaps on an even larger scale. This will be a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the increased demand for coaching, as people will be more discerning and selective about whom they choose to guide them. While this is a benefit to your …
5 Ways You Can Make The Most Of Your Weekly Newsletter To Your Email List
Your email list is one of the most powerful weapons you have in your arsenal. While it’s great to have a large social media following, at the end of the day, Instagram and Facebook control the rules and change the algorithm so often it’s hard to keep up. You might have 100,000 followers on a particular platform but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can convert many of those into paying clients. Your …
Develop a Consistent Training Model Now
When I first got into the industry, I was introduced to the concept of the “neutral spine” and what it means to lift with good form. The thought process I was taught was: Neutral Spine = Good Form = Healthy = No Injury/Pain Not Neutral = Bad Form = Unhealthy = Potential for Injury/Pain I liked the idea of “fixing” people’s posture by having them lift weights with a neutral spine, so I tried to make …
Programming Strategies: Eccentrics, Isometrics, and Tempo
Coach: “Hey, [insert athlete’s name], let’s slow those down a bit.” Athlete: “I am going slow, Coach.” Coach: “Your training program calls for a five-second eccentric. You’re doing more of a two-second eccentric.” As a coach, I bet you’ve been here before. I bet there’ve been times, too, when you’ve questioned the why behind using eccentrics, isometrics, and tempo in your training programs. Let’s be …
Boundaries: A Coach’s Responsibility
As we all know, being a coach is such a rewarding career. It allows you to help people craft better versions of themselves. What’s better than that? In addition, you encounter a variety of people who challenge you to become a better version of yourself. Yet, no matter the situation, as coaches we’re responsible for maintaining boundaries with our clients. Some clients are angry, stressed, grieving, …
4 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make When You Start Coaching Again After Quarantine
We’re all grateful to get back into the swing of things. But there are a lot of things we have to keep in mind as we return to the gym and begin coaching clients again. Your clients are eager to get back into the gym, just like you’re looking forward to training them regularly again. However, don’t let your excitement distract you from the questions you need to ask yourself and your clients before you just jump back …
The Changing Landscape Of Fitness And What That Means For The Coach
We can all agree that 2020 has been an interesting year to say the least. This time has affected all coaches whether you work in person or online with your clients. With the shutting down of gyms, businesses and reshaping what “normal” looks like, it will have massive implications to fitness trainers and coaches across the globe. It just may not be the change you are expecting. While it's not over, we …