FITLETE Radio: Coach’s Spotlight: Let’s Meet Neal Snyder
Neal Snyder is a personal trainer, program director, and fitness industry veteran based in Garwood, New Jersey at Fitness Inc, known for his adaptable, client-focused training and management expertise.
About Neal Snyder
Neal Snyder has a background in computer engineering before making a career switch to personal training in 2009. He’s worked in major fitness centers, including Equinox in Manhattan, and is now the Program Director at Fitness Inc in Garwood, NJ. Neal is described as fun, pragmatic, and experienced in handling real-world client needs, supporting fitness goals for everyone from teens to octogenarians.
Key Takeaways
* Adaptability: Neal’s approach to working with clients who have aches, injuries, or limitations centers on detailed assessment, communication with healthcare providers, and creative problem-solving such as adjusting movements or ranges to ensure progress and comfort.
* Mindset Matters: Coaching isn’t just about physical training—Neal emphasizes supporting clients’ mindsets and expectations, especially when adjusting movements for safety and effectiveness.
* Debunking Myths: Neal takes a practical, non-dogmatic stance with nutrition and exercise misconceptions, encouraging skepticism, short-term experiments, and open discussion rather than rigid rules.
* Multi-Goal Coaching: He helps clients prioritize multiple objectives, especially as initial progress slows, and applies management strategies from his own experience leading large teams.
* Value of Education: Neal underlines the importance of foundational knowledge in anatomy, kinesiology, exercise technique, and effective programming—plus learning through mentorships and observing skilled trainers in action.
* Tech Use: Despite his engineering background, Neal values “old school” methods—pen, paper, and face-to-face connection—while using technology strategically for online coaching, reminders, and progress tracking when beneficial.
Quotes from Neal Snyder
“Oftentimes it’s not the whole movement that hurts. It’s a little bit of the movement. So now we’re looking at cutting short range of motion... Just kind of investigating as much as you can.”
“If it’s not dangerous and they want to try it, I’m all up for running a short term experiment... ’cause I think a large process of that is them learning by themselves as well.”
Connect & Discover Neal Snyder
* Fitness Inc Training Studios, Garwood, NJ
* Neal Snyder on Instagram and Linkedin for updates and coaching insights
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