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The easy way, textbook certs: NASM/ACE/ISSA.

The QUALIFIED WAY: NSCA, ACSM, SUF-CPT.

Hands-on learning > specializations.

Get a DPT & RD on your team.

Master the fundamentals of movement, anatomy, sales, and assessments.

Ever wonder why so many certified personal trainers struggle or quit within their first year? The answer lies in a startling disconnect between certification marketing and real-world preparation.

Across the fitness landscape, aspiring trainers face a critical choice – pursue the "easiest" certification or invest in truly learning the craft. This episode exposes the uncomfortable truth that the most marketed certifications (NASM, ACE, ISSA) fail to prepare trainers for actual client work, while the certifications respected by physical therapists and movement experts (NSCA, ACSM) remain less popular despite better preparing professionals for success.

Drawing from over 20 years of experience and thousands of trainer interactions, I unpack why memorizing textbooks and multiple-choice answers isn't the path to becoming a respected fitness professional. You'll discover why no client will ever ask you to identify an "agonist muscle" or follow NASM's formulaic approach, yet these are what commercial certifications test extensively. Instead, real success comes from mastering movement assessment, developing hands-on skills, and building relationships with other health professionals.

For those serious about turning their passion into a sustainable career, this episode offers a reality check and a clear alternative path. The fitness industry doesn't need more certificate holders – it needs qualified, competent trainers who can deliver results and earn their place alongside other health professionals. Whether you're just starting out or feeling frustrated after certification, this frank discussion will help you understand what it really takes to thrive as a personal trainer.

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

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Become a QUALIFIED Certified personal trainer with www.showupfitness.com

Qualifying yourself as a professional personal trainer means going beyond basic certifications when working with clients who have complex conditions like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This episode breaks down exactly how to establish yourself as a trusted fitness professional within the medical community while designing effective programs for clients with neurological challenges.

When working with clients who have medical conditions, your first move should always be reaching out directly to their healthcare providers. We walk you through exactly how to approach doctors and therapists, what to say, and how to present yourself as a qualified professional who stands apart from the Instagram fitness crowd. This simple step not only improves your programming but positions you for valuable referral relationships.

For the long-distance runner with FND who experiences symptoms while descending stairs, we detail a comprehensive programming approach focusing on unilateral strength, frontal plane stability, and neurological control. You'll learn specific exercise selections—from explosive step-downs to airplane poses—that directly address the functional limitations while building overall performance. Most importantly, we explain why consistent progression of these movements creates better results than constantly changing exercises.

The difference between average trainers and elite coaches isn't just exercise selection—it's creating comprehensive systems and networks. By learning to work collaboratively with medical professionals and focusing on evidence-based programming rather than entertainment, you'll not only help clients overcome conditions like FND, but you'll establish yourself as an indispensable part of their healthcare team. Ready to elevate your professional status and help clients who truly need your expertise?

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

The fitness industry harbors a shocking statistic - 90% of personal trainers quit within their first year. In this passionate, no-holds-barred episode, we dive deep into why this happens and how aspiring trainers can avoid this fate by taking a radically different approach to building their careers.

We expose the fundamental flaws in the traditional path most trainers take: getting a textbook certification that requires minimal knowledge, seeking "experience" at low-tier gyms without proper mentorship, failing to master anatomy and movement fundamentals, and refusing to invest in quality continuing education. This approach virtually guarantees failure in an industry that should offer tremendous opportunity.

The episode offers a blueprint for success that stands in stark contrast to conventional wisdom. True success comes from mastering anatomy (can you name all 17 muscles of the shoulder?), understanding movement patterns for efficient programming, building relationships with medical professionals, and consistently investing in yourself. When you develop genuine expertise rather than collecting certifications, you can command premium rates while working fewer hours.

Our message is clear: stop following the struggling masses and start challenging yourself to reach a higher standard. The trainers who thrive aren't just passionate - they're professionally competent, continuously learning, and committed to excellence. Ready to fish in a blue ocean where the competition disappears? It starts with mastering the fundamentals that most trainers ignore.

Ready to transform your training career and join the elite 10% who succeed? Listen now and discover exactly what separates those who quit from those who thrive in this rewarding profession.

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Discover the top books for personal trainers to read like Grit, How to win friends and influence people, How to Become A Successful Personal TRainer and many more.

Reading might be the most underrated skill for personal trainers looking to elevate their careers above the 90% who quit within their first year. While most fitness professionals obsess over certification acronyms, the truly successful ones are quietly building their intellectual foundation through consistent, deliberate reading habits.

The contrast is striking. Picture a potential client walking into a gym to meet two trainers: one scrolling social media, the other absorbed in a professional development book. Before a word is spoken, one has already established themselves as a dedicated professional. This single habit creates an immediate differentiation that clients intuitively recognize and respect.

Starting a reading practice doesn't require massive time commitments. Begin with just 5-10 minutes of distraction-free reading daily, timing yourself to establish a baseline reading speed. Create the right environment by eliminating distractions – put your phone across the room, find a quiet space, and treat reading with the same discipline you bring to physical training. As with fitness, consistency produces remarkable results over time.

The reading curriculum for elite trainers spans multiple disciplines. For mindset development, explore works like "Grit" by Angela Duckworth or "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins. Business acumen grows through texts like "Go For No" by Richard Fenton, which teaches the counterintuitive approach of pursuing rejection to calibrate value. Technical mastery comes through studying "Starting Strength," "Fat Loss Forever," and "The Science and Practice of Strength Training." For comprehensive development, aim to read 50+ books annually – a simple habit that places you among the intellectual elite in fitness.

Transform your reading habit into

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Choosing the right gym environment can make or break your personal training career. After visiting nearly 50% of all Equinox locations and 15 Lifetime facilities across the country, I've gained unique insights into which premium fitness giant might offer the better path for ambitious trainers.

The differences are striking. While Equinox offers brand prestige and exclusivity, they cap trainer rates around $175/hour regardless of experience or demand. Lifetime, with their expansive facilities featuring everything from water slides to extensive wellness areas, allows trainers to charge whatever the market will bear—some reaching $250+ per hour within their first year.

Beyond compensation structures, the cultural environment varies dramatically. Equinox trainers often operate in a competitive atmosphere where interaction between colleagues is minimal. Lifetime fosters a more collaborative culture where networking happens naturally. This distinction impacts both job satisfaction and client acquisition potential.

What truly matters is developing the complete package: technical expertise, business acumen, and exceptional people skills. The 90% of trainers who fail within their first year typically lack supervised experience and the confidence to command premium rates. Success requires investment in your education through quality certification programs that teach practical skills rather than just theory.

No matter which environment you choose, approach your role with professionalism and confidence. Remember that clients aren't rejecting your rates because they can't afford you—they're indicating they don't see sufficient value. When you deliver transformative results and communicate your worth effectively, you can command fees that might seem impossible to less qualified trainers.

Ready to elevate your training career? Visit showupfitness.com to explore our certification programs designed to give you the skills premium gyms are des

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

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Glucose tablets—the one essential item every personal trainer should carry at all times. This seemingly simple tool can mean the difference between a successful training session and a medical emergency. 

In this eye-opening conversation, we dive deep into real-life scenarios where client safety was compromised when blood glucose levels plummeted during workouts. From Will, who nearly passed out after a night of drinking and insufficient sleep, to a 250-pound student who lost consciousness completely, these stories highlight the critical importance of being prepared for emergencies.

Trainers often face a unique challenge: clients who underreport their limitations. Men especially tend to push through discomfort, claiming they're "fine" while their body is screaming for help. The signs are there if you know what to look for—loss of color in the face, incoherent speech, or dizziness. When these symptoms appear, glucose tablets provide the fastest route to recovery, as they're rapidly absorbed through the sublingual gland directly into the bloodstream.

Beyond emergency preparedness, we discuss how asking the right questions before each session can prevent these situations entirely. "How did you sleep? Did you eat today? Any alcohol last night?" These simple inquiries can inform your training approach and potentially save lives. The difference between certified trainers and qualified professionals lies in this comprehensive understanding of human physiology and client management.

As we work to elevate the perception of personal training from just "posting TNA pics online" to a respected profession, these practical skills matter more than ever. Show Up Fitness is changing the industry one qualified trainer at a time, equipping professionals to earn substantially more than the industry average while providing truly transformative client experiences. 

Ready to level up your training career? Subscribe and throw that five-star review

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Do you want to become a successful personal trainer? Textbook certifications aren't the best route. Become a QUALFIEID certified personal trainer with SUF-CPT the fastest growing certification ONLINE w/hands-on learning with our partnership with Life Time Fitness. 

The personal training industry just received a massive wake-up call. The United Arab Emirates has banned several major fitness certifications—including ACE, NASM, and ISSA—for lacking hands-on, practical learning components. This groundbreaking decision highlights what many industry veterans have known for years: there's a vast difference between being certified and being qualified.

What would you think of a surgeon who planned to "fake it till they make it" with your body? Yet this is precisely the mindset many newly certified trainers adopt after completing textbook-only certifications. The statistics tell a troubling story—70,000 new trainers enter the industry annually, with nearly 90% obtaining their credentials through text-based, multiple-choice exams. Perhaps this explains why 90% quit within their first year.

The certification crisis creates a predictable pattern: trainers study theoretical concepts, pass an exam, proudly display their credentials, then face crippling impostor syndrome when dealing with actual clients. Many respond by accumulating more certifications rather than seeking the supervised, practical experience they desperately need. This cycle of theoretical knowledge without application leaves trainers unprepared for real-world challenges like conducting proper assessments, designing effective programs, and communicating value to potential clients.

Quality training education should mirror other professional fields like medicine and law—combining theoretical knowledge with rigorous practical application under expert supervision. When trainers receive critical feedback on their programming, communication style, and client management skills through hands-

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Want to become a successful personal trainer?

Show Up Fitness (SUF-CPT) is the fastest growing personal training certification globally recongized. If you're thinking about becoming a personal trainer, start with the book, How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer Vol. 2: https://a.co/d/ifxvxQH

Chris Hitchko, Founder of Show Up Fitness CPT has gyms in Santa Monica and has been a teacher of trainers for over 10 years. If you're looking for HANDS ON learning to become a trainer, our 2-month personal training internship will help you better learn how to train clients, assess those with pain, use soft tissue mobilizations to help clients get out of pain, network with physical therapists (DPT's), Registered Dietitians (RD's) and other fitness professionals. 

The SUF-CPT is in person but also online: www.showupfitness.com where you can become a QUALIFIED certified personal trainer anywhere in the world. We have elite partnerships at Life Time Fitness and Equinox - we guarantee interviews at the best personal training gyms in the world. If you're looking to turn your passion for fitness into a career, it's time to SHOW UP.

Show Up Fitness has 3 certifications:

1. SUF-CPT: Certified for Life mastering programming and you never have to renew.

2. SUF-STM: Soft Tissue Mobilizations mastering the assessment process, becoming a stretch specialist and being able to get your clients out of pain (learn how to partner and reach out to Physical Therapists)

3. SUF-NC: Nutrition Coach. Learn how to develop streams of revenue by making more than $30,000 per year extra by becoming a nutrition coach (online and in person). You will learn how to network with an RD to bring on your team.

For hands-on learning, we have our 2-month internship in Santa Monica and weekend seminars every month at Life Time Fitness. 

Email [email protected] to become a trainer today. IF you need to pass #nasm #nasmcertified #personaltrainer #o

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

Ever wonder what exercises truly deserve "greatest of all time" status? This episode dives deep into the exercise variations that deliver maximum results with the best return on investment for both trainers and clients.

Starting with a fascinating breakdown of fundamental movement patterns, we examine how terminology and categorization affect programming decisions. While most fitness professionals agree on basic patterns like push, pull, hinge, squat, and unilateral movements, the specific exercise selections within these categories spark passionate debate.

We meticulously analyze Doc Russin's top 10 exercises, agreeing with stellar choices like the trap bar deadlift, Romanian deadlift, and reverse lunge, while offering thoughtful alternatives for others. The trap bar deadlift emerges as a standout choice for teaching hinging mechanics without the extensive coaching time conventional deadlifts require. For unilateral work, reverse lunges prove incredibly versatile – simply adjust torso angle to shift emphasis between hip and knee dominance based on client needs.

The most compelling section explores overlooked exercises that deserve more attention: bar dips instead of pushups for superior upper body development, pike pushups progressing to handstand work for shoulder strength, landmine presses for shoulder-friendly pressing, and the lost arts of rotational training and sprinting. These movements challenge fitness professionals to expand beyond comfort zones and conventional programming.

Ready to elevate your training approach? Join us at upcoming seminars in Austin, San Francisco, and Sacramento this April. Our certification is now officially accepted at 286 Equinox and Lifetime premium locations nationwide!

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...

Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!

What are the best personal training certifications? 

How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer Vol 2. Breaks down the top globally recognized personal training certifications.

NASM, ISSA, ACE, NSCA, ACSM, NCSF, FFT LEVEL 3 (UK), Canada Fit Pro (Can Fit Pro), SUF CPT, NPTI, Fitness Mentors, Brent Brookbush Institute, NPTA, what’s the best personal training certifications for you to become a personal trainer?

Navigating the maze of personal training certifications just got easier with our comprehensive "March Madness" style breakdown of the top 16 globally recognized credentials. We pull back the curtain on what makes each certification unique, revealing critical insights that go beyond the marketing hype.

The "big four" certifications—NASM, ACE, NSCA-CPT, and ISSA—dominate the industry landscape, but does their recognition truly reflect their quality? We examine how investment firms with deep pockets have positioned certain certifications as the "gold standard" through aggressive marketing rather than superior educational content. A simple Reddit search for "NASM personal trainer hell" might tell you more than their polished website ever will.

Most aspiring trainers face a shocking reality: 90% quit within their first year. This isn't primarily due to lack of knowledge about exercise science, but rather gaps in practical skills—assessment capabilities, programming expertise, business acumen, and client management abilities. The certification you choose should prepare you for these real-world challenges, not just help you pass a multiple-choice exam.

What truly matters in selecting a certification is alignment with your career goals. Before committing to any program, research where you want to work and what certifications those establishments recognize. The most valuable approach is interviewing trainers at your target gyms rather than relying on opinions from anonymous internet users.

The fitness industry isn't sa

Want to ask us a question? Email email [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showupfitnessinternship/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showupfitnessinternship
Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Personal Trainer Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Personal-Trainer-Successful/dp/B08WS992F8
Show Up Fitness Internship & CPT: https://online.showupfitness.com/pages/online-show-up?utm_term=show%20up%20fitness
NASM study guide: ...