NASM Master Instructor Roundtable: A Show for Personal Trainers

In this “Master Instructor Roundtable,” co-hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, take a deep dive into some of the most persistent myths in strength training. Whether you’re a fitness newbie, a seasoned trainer, or just fascinated by health science, this lively discussion will help clear up common misconceptions that still linger in gyms everywhere.

The two tackle myths like the idea that lifting heavy weights automatically leads to bulkiness, especially for women, and whether kids and seniors should steer clear of strength training. They dispel the old “high reps for toning, low reps for bulk” rule, explain why “muscle confusion” isn’t the magic bullet it’s made out to be, and set the record straight on spot fat reduction and the safety of squats for your knees.

Drawing on up-to-date research, years of professional experience, and practical examples (from training young athletes to keeping grandparents strong and independent), the hosts break down how strength training impacts everyone—at every age. They cover how adaptations really work, the crucial role nutrition plays in muscle growth, and why proper technique and progression always trump trendy workout fads.

With plenty of humor, relatable anecdotes, and actionable advice, Wendy and Marty equip both trainers and clients with the facts they need to make smarter choices in and out of the gym. If you want to gain confidence in your training—or help others do the same—don’t miss this myth-busting episode that promises to educate and empower.

Show Notes & References:Schoenfeld, B.J., Grgic, J., Ogborn, D., & Krieger, J.W. (2017). Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(12), 3508–3523

Lorenz, D., Reiman, M., & Walker, J. (2010). Periodization: Current review and suggested implementation for athletic rehabilitation. Sports Health, 2(6), 509–518.

Myer et al. (2014). Sixty minutes of what? A developing brain perspective for activating children with an integrative exercise approach. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(12), 947–953.

Westcott, W.L. (2012). Resistance training is medicine: Effects of strength training on health. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 11(4), 209–216.

Ramírez-Campillo et al. (2013). Effects of abdominal exercise on abdominal fat. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 27(12), 3419–3425

Hartmann, H., Wirth, K., & Klusemann, M. (2013). Analysis of the load on the knee joint and vertebral column with changes in squatting depth and weight load. Sports Medicine, 43(10), 993–1008.

Peterson, M.D., Sen, A., & Gordon, P.M. (2011). Influence of resistance exercise on lean body mass in aging adults: A meta-analysis. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(2), 249–258.

Mitchell et al. (2012). Sarcopenia: Age-related muscle loss mechanisms and therapy. Biogerontology, 13(1), 1–11.

Lopez et al. (2018). Effects of resistance training on older adults: A systematic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 26(4), 608–618. 

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,” co-hosts, and NASM Master Trainers, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, dive deep into the art—and real-world challenge—of bridging the gap when your clients don’t fit the fitness textbook. Kicking off with classic wisdom from Bruce Lee and examples from pro athletes like Derek Jeter, Marty and Wendy remind us why mastering the fundamentals is truly non-negotiable.

Throughout their candid and experience-driven discussion, the duo explores what to do when the “perfect world” of the textbook doesn’t align with the messy reality of diverse clients: from young little leaguers and former college athletes to parents with jam-packed schedules. They break down the NASM OPT and CES models, comparing them to real-life navigation tools—a compass for some, Google Maps for others—emphasizing the need to adapt the blueprint to fit each individual’s unique journey.

Listeners will gain practical strategies for assessment, adaptation, and communication. This episode is packed with stories, case studies, and tactical advice on using assessment findings to guide programming, regressing and progressing exercises intentionally, addressing pain and limitations ethically, and focusing on movement quality over flashy routines.

Whether you’re a brand-new trainer overwhelmed by the textbook or a seasoned pro stuck in the weeds, this episode offers both reassurance and actionable solutions. Tune in for expert guidance on personalizing client programs, building trust, and ultimately, helping people move—and feel—their best in the real world.

Show Notes & References:

NASM CPT 7

Section 4, Chapter 11 (Health, Wellness, and Fitness Assessments). Lessons 1-6 

Section 4, Chapter 12 (Posture, Movement, and Perofrmance Assessments). Lessons 1-6 

NASM CES 3

Chapter 1, (Introduction to Corrective Exercise). Lessons 1-3 

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 "Master Instructor Roundtable," hosts, and NASM Master Instructors, Wendy Batts, and Marty Miller, dive deep into the world of speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) training—shattering the common myth that these techniques are only for elite athletes or hardcore weekend warriors. Drawing from their extensive experience, Wendy and Marty explain why SAQ should be a staple for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.

They kick things off by sharing real-life examples—like hurrying to cross the street or stepping around unexpected obstacles at home—to highlight how SAQ principles translate directly into everyday safety, confidence, and functionality. The conversation moves into the differences between speed, agility, and quickness, providing clear definitions and practical examples to make these concepts approachable for all listeners.

Throughout the episode, they bust misconceptions about risk and accessibility, emphasizing that SAQ training can be easily adapted for seniors, beginners, and even children. They offer simple, budget-friendly ideas for practicing SAQ at home, stressing that you don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership to get started.

Listeners will also gain actionable tips on safely integrating SAQ drills into general fitness programs, plus coaching strategies to keep workouts fun, progressive, and confidence-building. Perfect for trainers, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone looking to enhance daily movement and prevent injury, this discussion is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical advice. Don’t miss it—your next burst of energy might come from embracing SAQ! 

Show Notes: For more information, check out Chapter 19 in the NASM Essentials of Personal Training Textbook (7th Edition).

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

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