On this “Master Instructor Roundtable," co-hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, take a deep dive into the ever-evolving concept of functional training, a term often tossed around but rarely fully understood. Drawing from over two decades of industry experience, Wendy and Marty unravel the origins of functional training, tracing its roots back to physical therapy in the 1970s and ’80s. They highlight how its true intent was to restore efficient, multi-joint movement patterns essential for everyday life—well beyond gym floor trends and Instagram-worthy workouts.

The hosts discuss how functional training has been redefined and sometimes misused as fitness fads have come and gone. They emphasize the importance of quality movement, stability, and assessment-backed programming rather than simply chasing novelty with flashy tools and exercises.

Both also break down the NASM OPT model, explaining how evidence-based assessments and targeted corrective strategies create purposeful, individualized progressions for every client—from elite athletes to older adults managing daily activities.Listeners will gain actionable advice on how to distinguish true function from mere fancy, why quality always trumps quantity, and how to align training with clients’ personal goals and real-world needs.

Whether you're a new trainer or a seasoned coach, this episode will help you clarify your understanding of functional training, reinforce the fundamentals of assessment-driven programming, and ultimately, train smarter for real-world results. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

 In this episode of the “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, explore the real role of corrective exercise and challenge the common misconception that trainers are supposed to "fix" movement. 

They discuss the difference between optimizing movement patterns and chasing perfection. We’ll also dive into the scope of practice for NASM professionals and how to reframe success with your clients through the lens of function, not flaw. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

As fitness professionals, we strive to help our clients achieve their goals, but what happens when a session reveals something outside our scope?  

In this “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, dive into the critical topic of recognizing red flags and understanding when it’s time to refer out. 

We’ll explore the physical and mental warning signs no personal trainer should ignore, from unexplained pain to signs of disordered eating or mental health struggles. You'll learn how to build a trusted referral network, how to have those tough conversations with clients, and why referring out is a sign of strength—not weakness. 

Whether you're a new CPT or a seasoned pro, this episode will sharpen your awareness, protect your certification, and help you better serve your clients. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

In this special episode of the NASM “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, sit down with featured guest, PGA Tour pro Scott Stallings, to explore his inspiring fitness journey and how it’s transformed both his life and his performance on the course. 

Scott opens up about the pivotal moment that led him to prioritize health, the role fitness plays in his competitive edge, and how technology is reshaping the future of both golf and athletic training. 

From data-driven insights to the discipline behind lasting change, this conversation blends elite sport with real-world strategies that any coach, trainer, or athlete can learn from. 

Tune in for a candid, motivating, and tech-savvy look at what it takes to evolve — in body, mind, and performance. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

In this special episode of the “NASM Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, sit down with legendary fitness innovator, featured guest, Randy Hetrick, founder of TRX and the new mobile fitness venture, OutFit. 

From creating a suspension trainer out of jiu-jitsu straps while deployed as a Navy SEAL to building one of the most recognizable brands in the fitness industry, Randy shares the real story behind TRX, the lessons learned in business and coaching, and how he's reshaping the way we think about training access with OutFit. 

Whether you're a personal trainer, entrepreneur, or movement enthusiast, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and tactical advice from one of the most respected voices in modern fitness. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

It’s time to turn the mic over to YOU, our NASM community! 

On this episode of the NASM “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, answer questions submitted by trainers, coaches, and fitness professionals just like you. 

From program design and corrective exercise to client communication and career development, no topic is off-limits. Whether you’re a new CPT or a seasoned pro, these questions will spark new ideas, clarify common challenges, and offer real-world insights from two of NASM’s Master Instructors. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

On this episode of the “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts Wendy Batts and Marty Miller dive into the essential strategies for training athletes in rotational sports—a timely topic as more people head outdoors for tennis, golf, pickleball, baseball, and even pre-camp basketball training. Wendy and Marty break down why it's crucial not to assume elite athletes are always ready for power-focused programming just because of their sport; instead, they emphasize a foundational, assessment-driven approach for all levels and ages.

The conversation starts by highlighting the importance of movement assessments, like the overhead squat and single-leg squat, to identify imbalances, compensations, and side-to-side differences—vital for rotational athletes who often favor a dominant side.

They detail how using NASM’s OPT model and corrective exercise protocols ensures programs are tailored to individual needs and not just sport-specific demands. Wendy explains how both mobility and stability—especially in the thoracic spine, hips, and shoulders—are key to safe and powerful movement. The hosts discuss practical examples, such as the importance of hip internal rotation for baseball players and golfers and offer tips on restoring optimal movement patterns using foam rolling, stretching, and muscle activation techniques.

Listeners will also hear about the importance of collaboration with sport coaches, building strength before adding power, and how stabilization phases can be surprisingly challenging. The episode is packed with actionable advice—like using targeted activation, integrating core and contralateral exercises, and progressing from controlled movement to loaded and high-speed drills.

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

On this “Master Instructor Roundtable,” host, and NASM Master Instructor, Marty Miller, will take a deep dive into the world of movement dysfunction with featured guest, Dr. Mike Wasilisin, from MoveU, a leading voice in functional movement, injury prevention, and body awareness. 

They will explore movement dysfunction, how it impacts performance and everyday life, and the steps fitness professionals and clients alike can take to restore optimal movement patterns. 

Dr. Mike brings his signature energy and evidence-based insights to the table, sharing real-world strategies to assess, correct, and coach through dysfunction with clarity and purpose. Whether you're a trainer, coach, therapist, or just passionate about moving better—this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM.

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

This week on the “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, discuss the newly released and updated Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Specialist course.  

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and more and more fitness enthusiasts adopt these world class athletes training programs to improve their overall fitness levels.  

Wendy and Marty will deep dive into the science on how MMA training can be safely added to all your clients' programs when done in a systematic way.  

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

On this “Master Instructor Roundtable,” hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, spotlight the Olympic Lifting chapter of NASM’s Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES), expertly written by this week’s featured guest, Rodney Corn.

We sit down with Rodney to explore how Olympic lifts can enhance athletic performance, power, and movement efficiency. He breaks down key coaching cues, progressions, and the purpose behind the programming.

Whether you're new to Olympic lifting or refining your approach, this conversation delivers practical takeaways you can apply right away.

If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!

Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm