Practical Trainer Podcast

Janelle Chow talks about her journey as a Division I Volleyball/Basketball Player and how she found her way into coaching clients with a variety of fitness goals.

Janelle has been a star athlete from the time she was in middle school. She shares an interesting perspective because she is a high level athlete who is able to learn and adapt to performing physically at the highest level and she coaches individuals at all fitness levels. Through hard work and talent, Janelle played Volleyball overseas for a year. She found her way back to the states and fell into her career in Personal Training and Coaching Sports. 

She has thrown herself in every fitness activity you can name. Crossfit, Spartan Races, Biking, Volleyball, Basketball, Squash, Table Tennis, etc...

Her clients love her for her endless energy, constant smile, and a unique ability to maintain an enormous network of friends and family. Seriously check her facebook, she knows everyone!

Josh Martensen is part Owner of Elevate Fit Life in downtown Bellevue, Washington and one of the most professional Personal Trainers I have ever worked with. In this episode, he shares his journey to becoming a Gym Owner. He has worked in gyms of all sizes. His unique experience of being exposed to all the different roles within a gym setting offers valuable insight for anyone interested in working in the fitness industry.

Josh also shares his day to day experience as a Gym Owner and how his role shifts depending on what goals the gym needs to prioritize at any given moment. He has a passion for building teams and helping them operator at full potential.

We also talk shop about training philosophies and how he has adapted to training larger groups of people. I didn't expect 90 minutes of content and we probably talked for over 2 hours. I look forward to checking in with Josh in the near future! 

This episode available at youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEyw7TgFwqw&t=921s

Dan searches for the perfect strength program. He shares his philosophy on program design and how variety is key to not only getting results, but critical for keeping the training fun and interesting.

Show notes:

Do no harm.

Keep your clients safe.

What is the weakest link? Seeing how people move and how they break down. Screening the basic movements and understand how to overcome weaknesses or compensations

Trial and Error-Find things he prefers and tinker with one or two variables.

Considering different body types and goals

Favoring a conjugate method

Variety (1/3/5, 2/4/6) 6 week blocks variations each week. Still specific on developing certain movement patterns. Examples: Alternating bench and push up every other week.

Potential problems with Progressive overload. Same exercises 6-12 weeks. Repetitive strain and overuse with straight loading.

General pop vs Powerlifting. Foundation movements patterns for both

GEN POP fighting similar compensatory patterns. (training posterior chair and regressing movement)

General strength to hypertrophy rep range. 5-6 reps. Sometimes going to 1-3 but not too often.

Powerlifting isn't the safest sport. Heavy loads, grinding reps. Trying to keep technical failure vs Mechanical failure in training.