The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Realistic Exercise and Nutrition Advice for Lasting Weight Loss Results

   You cannot choose where your body loses fat, because spot reduction is a myth. In this “NASM CPT Podcast” episode, host Rick Richey answers the real questions behind common client concerns about fitness and weight loss. Drawing on trusted research and practical experience, Rick explains why you lose fat according to your unique body patterns, not by targeting certain areas with specific exercises. He also discusses the most effective ways to lose weight (hint: nutrition is key), how much and how often you should exercise for noticeable results, the expected timelines to see fitness and strength improvements, and whether weightlifting will really make you bulky. After listening, you will clearly understand what drives fat loss, how to set realistic workout routines, why progress looks different for everyone, and how to answer frequent client questions with confidence.This episode is essential for trainers and fitness enthusiasts looking for honest answers based on science and experience, all with practical NASM guidance. Chapters: 00:01 What is spot reduction, and can I lose fat from a specific area? 05:45 What is the best way to lose weight? 10:08 How long and how often should I exercise to see benefits? 15:25 How long does it take to see results from working out?19:11 Will weightlifting make me bulky? 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

   August 18, 2026·21min
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   Number 2: Reduce Back Pain with Strength Training: Stefi Cohen’s Guide

   Are deadlifts bad for your back? Why do some people get injured lifting weights while others don't? Can resistance training actually reduce pain and injury risk? Find out in this can’t-miss episode of the “NASM CPT Podcast” featuring Dr. Stefi Cohen — 27-time powerlifting world record holder, pro boxer, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and founder of the Institute of Strength Training. Host Dr. Rick Richey and Stefi dive deep into: · The biopsychosocial model of pain and why pain isn’t always about tissue damage · The real difference between “injury” and “pain” and what that means for your workouts · Stefi’s personal story overcoming chronic back pain — and what REALLY works for recovery · Why your mindset can amplify or dampen pain signals (backed by neuroscience!) · How to avoid the most common training mistakes that lead to injury · Proven strategies for building resilience, managing training load, and keeping clients (and yourself) strong and healthy · Why deadlifts and other barbell movements aren’t inherently dangerous — plus evidence-based tips to use them safely · Actionable advice for trainers and everyday lifters on progressing after injury, breaking the pain-avoidance cycle, and becoming a “movement optimist ”Don’t miss Stefi’s expert insight on: · Foam rolling, manual therapy, and pain relief hacks that work · How to safely return to intense training after injury · Using resistance training to reduce pain from osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions · Busting the top fitness myths holding you back from your strength goals 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

   July 14, 2026·53min
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   Number 3: Hamstring Muscle Anatomy: Origin, Insertion & Function

   🔔 Subscribe for expert fitness insights! Welcome to the NASM-CPT Podcast with Rick Richey, Emmy Award winner and your guide to the latest in functional anatomy, fitness education, and corrective exercise strategies. In this episode, Rick takes you on an engaging, easy-to-understand exploration of the hamstring muscles – perfect for personal trainers, corrective exercise specialists, and anyone serious about fitness optimization. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Hamstring Muscle Breakdown: Discover the three key hamstring muscles (semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris), their origins, insertions, and joint actions. Functional Anatomy Explained: Get a practical definition and real-world application of functional anatomy, including concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions. Medial & Lateral Hamstrings: The “semi-sisters” vs. biceps femoris, plus easy mnemonics for remembering anatomy. Common Imbalances & Corrections: Hear how to spot and correct overactive lateral hamstrings (biceps femoris) and underactive medial hamstrings using targeted corrective exercises. Practical Fitness Tips: Learn Rick’s “diamond curls” technique and active hamstring stretches to address muscle imbalances and improve knee stability. Fun Etymology & Anatomy Facts: Enjoy Rick’s memorable stories, easy visuals, and clear explanations to make anatomy stick. Why Watch? Perfect for NASM students, CPTs, CES specialists, and fitness enthusiasts. Boosts your understanding of anatomy for safer, smarter workouts. Learn corrective exercise strategies for better client outcomes. Practical tips you can use immediately in your training or teaching. Hamstring etymology and history Muscle origins and insertions with visual mnemonics Joint actions: what hamstrings do and stabilize Corrective exercise application: step-by-step protocols Real-life stories for memorable learning Chapters & HighlightsIf 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

   February 17, 2026·24min
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   Number 4: How learning theories improve personal training results

   Personal trainers can improve client outcomes by understanding and applying different learning theories such as pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy. This “NASM CPT Podcast” explains how trainers are not just coaches but educators who need to tailor their approach based on whether a client learns best through directive instruction (pedagogy), adult facilitation (andragogy), or self-directed learning (heutagogy). In this presentation, host Dr. Rick Richey discusses how recognizing client readiness, motivation, past experience, and individual learning preferences leads to better results and a more respectful trainer-client relationship. Listeners will learn how to identify whether a client needs a structured program, collaborative goal setting, or simply support in their self-chosen pursuits. After the episode, trainers will be able to evaluate their own teaching style, adjust communication, and better align exercise programming with client goals, as supported by NASM best practices. Dr. Richey also highlights when it is important to refer clients to others if their own expertise does not meet client needs. Chapters: [00:00:00] What are the main learning theories trainers can use with clients? [00:03:13] What is pedagogy and how does it apply to personal training?[00:06:48] What is andragogy and what are its six assumptions for adult learners? [00:15:36] What is heutagogy and how does client self-direction impact the trainer’s role? [00:20:23] How should trainers choose which teaching approach to use with each client? [00:22:17] Why should trainers consider referring clients out or adjusting their style? 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

   September 08, 2026·25min
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   Number 5: How to Train and Recover for High-Demand Combat Sports

   To succeed when training elite MMA fighters and athletes in high-demand, high-risk sports, coaches must balance sport-specific preparation with intelligent recovery and individualized strategies that prevent overtraining and support safe weight management. In this episode of the “NASM CPT Podcast,” host Rick Richey talks with guest Brandon Harris, a UFC performance coach and founder of Premier Fitness Systems, about how trainers working with NASM can apply these principles to help both elite and everyday clients thrive. Listeners will learn why "addition by subtraction"—removing unnecessary or excessive training instead of adding more—is often key for athletic success, especially in fighters who already have demanding training schedules. The conversation explores practical approaches to energy system development, wheat cutting, recovery techniques (including breathwork and nervous system regulation), and the role of curiosity and education in a successful coaching career. After listening, you will understand how to evaluate training volume, when to pull back or push intensity, how to address weight cut challenges, and how to foster resilience for long-term performance and health. Chapters: [00:00] What is addition by subtraction in elite athlete training, and why does it matter? [06:18] Why did Brandon Harris move from commercial gyms to starting his own business? [09:21] How did certifications like NASM and curiosity influence Brandon Harris’s career path? [14:18] How do you prepare fighters’ bodies and minds for the demands and risks of MMA and combat sports? [17:03] How do you train both explosive power and endurance for MMA athletes? [18:11] What does addition by subtraction look like in real training sessions? [20:21] Why do coaches sometimes reduce training rather than add more, and what are real-world examples? [24:39] How does weight cutting work in fight sports, and what are the risks? [33:08] How did networking and volunteering lead to Brandon Harris working with UFC fighter Sean O'Malley? [36:53] What recovery methods matter most for fighters and high-performance athletes? [40:43] How do you teach efficient breathing and energy management during high-stress sports scenarios? [43:35] What is the bigger-picture impact that trainers and coaches can have on clients’ lives? [45:41] How can listeners connect with Brandon Harris and learn more about his methods? 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

   September 01, 2026·48min
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