The squat is a true test of lower body strength. Any serious commercial, collegiate, professional, or home gym will have a squat rack and a bar to rep out some grueling leg days. A "big" squat...
10 Best Exercises to Build a Better Squat
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Exercise Science, Biology, and Research
Health and fitness articles for personal trainers rooted in exercise science, biology, anatomy, physiology, health psychology
Benefits of Plank: Emerging Research on Strength and Immune Function
Recent research has shown there to be even more benefits of plank exercise programming for fitness clients. Further research has also shown a variety of similarities and differences in using...
Understanding and Training the Quadriceps
Given that the quadriceps muscles are the largest muscle complex in the body, they are important to understand in depth and to focus on in training with clients. Training the quads can help to...
Metabolic Syndrome and Safety Markers for Fitness Clients
Why do personal training clients often feel as though or perceive that they are not making weight loss progress? As fitness professionals, we must consider the possibility that they truly are not...
The Plank: Quality Over Quantity
The plank is one of our most trusted tools in personal training for conditioning the muscles of the core. You can find multiple articles about its effectiveness within the NFPT blog. NFPT recommends...
Adding Balance Pods to Training Sessions
Balance training is an element every fitness coach can and should incorporate to a well-rounded program. After significant progress has been made, adding balance pods to personal training sessions...
Mindset Matters: Harnessing Positive Thinking for Better Health Outcomes
Preparing an effective training session requires carefully considering movement patterns, rep counts, number of sets, and other physical considerations; however, establishing a healthy and positive...
Hunger Hormones: Ghrelin, Leptin, and The Satiety Balance
Hunger hormones control the degree to which individuals sense hunger and fullness or, satiety, and can contribute to weight loss and maintenance success. Research shows that a significant percentage...
Stability Training: Load vs Platform
Balance and stability can be considered the foundations of fitness. Our best programs consist of proper progressions, from a long-term design perspective, and for each individual session. Stable...
Looped Resistance Band Workouts: Going Handle-Free
There are lots of types of exercise bands on the market. The tubed variety with handles offer many options, but plenty can be done with the flat, looped resistance bands as well. They offer...
