The Coaches Lounge

Women say they prefer a dad bod over a shredded physique… but what actually counts as a dad bod?After our viral body-type discussion sparked a huge reaction online, The Coaches Lounge returns to the debate.Timon, Sham and David discuss what women really mean when they say they want a dad bod, why people have completely different definitions of the term, and whether expectations around men’s physiques have become unrealistic.We discuss:* What actually qualifies as a dad bod?* Why Michael B. Jordan keeps coming up in the debate* Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua and different athletic physiques* Why looking fit and being fit aren’t always the same thing* Whether people understand the lifestyle required to maintain a muscular body* Physical attraction and relationship expectations* Whether men and women apply different standards to one anotherIs a dad bod genuinely what people want, or are we confusing it with an athletic physique?Let us know in the comments.🔗 LISTEN & FOLLOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qaMXCtC0SPSpKN4WONldFApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-coaches-lounge/id1859409935Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoacheslounge_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoacheslounge_

Are you actually training hard — or are you training so much that you're holding back your own progress?In EP45 of The Coaches Lounge, the coaches break down one of the biggest mistakes people make in the gym: assuming more training, more sets and more soreness automatically means better results.We get into training to failure, progressive overload, tracking reps and weights, recovery, training frequency, mind-muscle connection and why experienced lifters can often make MORE progress while doing LESS overall work.We also talk about the first Raise The Bar fitness retreat in Marrakech, building a genuine fitness community, setting goals that actually scare you, coaching clients rather than simply giving them instructions, and why your environment can completely change your progress.In this episode:💪 Are you training too much?📈 Progressive overload & tracking your lifts🔥 Should every working set go to failure?😴 Why recovery is part of building muscle🏋️ Training volume for beginners vs experienced lifters🧠 Mind-muscle connection vs simply lifting heavier👨‍🏫 What separates coaching from just giving someone a programme🌍 The first Raise The Bar retreat🤝 Why your environment and community matter🎯 Setting goals that genuinely challenge you💬 Live fitness questions from the audienceQuestion for the comments:How many days per week do YOU currently train — and do you think you could make better progress training less?Subscribe to The Coaches Lounge for weekly conversations around bodybuilding, fitness, coaching, physical health and mindset.🔗 Listen on Audio PlatformsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qaMXCtC0SPSpKN4WONldFApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-coaches-lounge/id1859409935Follow The Coaches Lounge:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoacheslounge_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoacheslounge_#TheCoachesLounge #GymTraining #Bodybuilding

Should parents stay fit for their kids, and what does being a fit parent actually mean? TJ joins David and Timon to debate fitness, fatherhood and the example adults set at home.

We discuss:

• Leading by example with food, exercise and everyday habits
• Being able to play, carry and keep up with your children
• Balancing training with family responsibilities
• Making movement fun instead of a punishment
• How becoming a parent changes your priorities

Do parents have a responsibility to stay active for their kids? Vote in the episode poll and tell us why in the comments.

Follow The Coaches Lounge on Spotify for honest fitness debates, guest stories and life beyond the gym.

Disclaimer: Discussions around steroids and other performance-enhancing substances are personal opinions and experiences only. They are not medical advice or instructions for using any substance.

Dad bods or shredded physiques: what really matters in attraction? David, Timon and Sham debate body image, dating standards and whether a relationship works when only one partner trains.

We discuss:
• Who we really build our physiques for
• Shared fitness habits versus looks
• Height, income and the problem with endless dating filters
• Supporting a partner's transformation
• Why one negative comment can drown out the positives

The conversation also covers wedding transformations, gym prices and the pressure to look a certain way.

Could you date someone who doesn't train? Vote in the episode poll and tell us why in the comments.

Follow The Coaches Lounge on Spotify for more honest fitness debates, guest stories and life beyond the gym.

Clips and behind the scenes: @thecoacheslounge_ on Instagram and TikTok.

Everyone has the same 24 hours…But does everyone really have the same responsibilities?Marky is back for Part 2 of his conversation on The Coach’s Lounge, and this one goes far beyond bodybuilding.From becoming a PT when his son was being born to building an online coaching business, Marky explains why simply looking good isn't enough to become a successful coach, why some new competitors need to humble themselves, and why fitness advice has to work in the real world.Things get heated when the conversation turns to young online coaches telling everyone:“We all have the same 24 hours.”Marky breaks down why someone with children, bills, a mortgage, a business and family responsibilities cannot always structure their life like a young coach with very few responsibilities. His approach is instead built around creating habits that people can actually sustain.One of Marky's biggest realisations as a father was that providing financially wasn't enough — being physically present and giving his children his attention mattered more than constantly buying things.👇 Do we genuinely all have the same 24 hours?Let us know in the comments.

Why did Marky James stay natural until around 40, then decide to use steroids? In Part 1, he reflects on natural bodybuilding, competing against enhanced athletes and the personal trade-offs behind that decision.

We discuss winning two natural pro cards, losing at his professional debut, contest-prep pressure, family life, longevity and the physical and mental changes he experienced.

What should count as success in bodybuilding: trophies, progress or quality of life? Tell us in the comments.

Follow The Coaches Lounge on Spotify for more honest conversations about bodybuilding, coaching and life beyond the gym.

Disclaimer: This podcast discusses performance-enhancing drugs from personal experience. It is not medical advice and does not encourage or instruct the use of steroids or other substances.

He was overweight, insecure, rebellious and excluded from four or five schools.One decision by his mother may have stopped him from entering the young-offender system. Years later, he has earned three degrees, two master’s degrees and built a life centred around education, fitness, fatherhood and helping others become 1% better.In Episode 40 of The Coach’s Lounge, our guest opens up about:-Growing up overweight and struggling with self-esteem-Using bad behaviour to hide insecurity-Fitness becoming an escape from the outside world-Moving from bodybuilding into running, swimming and endurance events-Why he chose to invest in a coach-How changing his nutrition transformed his energy and family life-Why he struggles to accept leadership advice from unhealthy leaders-How becoming a father changed his purpose-Being excluded from multiple schools-The day his mother may have saved him from prison-Going from almost no qualifications to three degrees and two master’s degrees-Why failure can become your greatest teacher-Out-of-shape personal trainers and coaches-Whether peptide users can genuinely call themselves natural-The dangers of getting drug information from influencers and dealers-Physical transformation versus genuine mental well-beingThis conversation is about more than building muscle. It is about identity, education, fatherhood, mental strength and taking responsibility for the direction of your life.👇 Which part of his journey stood out to you most?Like, comment, share and subscribe for weekly fitness, health, business and mindset discussions from The Coach’s Lounge.

Three fitness coaches walked into a podcast studio…and admitted that none of them can confidently swim.In Episode 39 of The Coach’s Lounge, the conversation begins with hilarious swimming confessions before turning into a deeper discussion about fear, embarrassment and finally understanding why beginners experience gym anxiety.The coaches also discuss:Nearly drowning on holiday and at a waterparkWhy adults are embarrassed to learn new skillsFake muscle shirts and padded absThe “laziest” way to get in shapeWhy people use “life is short” to avoid changingDiscipline, routine and being judged for living differentlyWhether most gym-goers understand training failureForm breakdown, partial repetitions and training intensityWhy lifters advertise that they are naturalRacism and the powerlifting controversy discussed in the episodeWhich admission surprised you the most?Comment below, subscribe and turn on notifications for new episodes of The Coach’s Lounge every Sunday.Follow @thecoacheslounge_ on Instagram and TikTok for clips, debates and behind-the-scenes content.

Why do so many people wait until there's a health scare, a special event or a wake-up call before they decide to change?In this episode of The Coach's Lounge, we discuss the psychology behind why people delay improving their health, fitness and lifestyle—and what finally pushes them to take action.We discuss:🏋️ Why people keep putting fitness off🧠 The psychology of procrastination🥗 Losing weight without waiting for "Monday"❤️ Why prevention is better than cure📈 Building habits that last💬 What stops people from making the first moveIf you've ever said "I'll start next week" or "I'll wait until January," this conversation is for you.👇 Let us know in the comments:What finally motivated you to take your health seriously?

What would you do if you only had £3,000 left in your bank account?In this episode of The Coach's Lounge, we're joined by Tej, who shares the story of taking a huge gamble on himself by investing the last £3,000 he had into building an online coaching business.That decision changed everything.We discuss:💰 Why he risked his last £3,000📈 How he built a successful online coaching business🌍 Moving to Dubai and growing internationally🧠 The mindset needed to take big risks🏋️ Lessons for coaches, entrepreneurs and anyone chasing a dream🚀 What he'd do differently if he started againWhether you're a coach, business owner or someone thinking about taking a leap of faith, this episode is full of valuable lessons.👇 Let us know in the comments:Would you have taken that risk?Tej's Instagram: @coachedbytej