Training female clients often raises a lot of questions for coaches.   Do the training requirements for female clients differ from those of male clients? What about the menstrual cycle? Should that affect your decisions? Should we design female training programs differently because of it?  In this episode, Stuart teams up with Lauren Conselo-Semple to address these questions. They delve into the most recent research surrounding training strategies for female clients and athletes. If you need to get up to speed on the latest scientific insights on this subject, this episode is your perfect companion. Lauren unpacks her latest research examining the impact of hormonal fluctuations on muscle development and performance, and whether the research supports adjusting training to align with the menstrual cycle. Expect to learn about the variability of the menstrual cycle, whether women have a higher injury risk and if they should eat more protein at specific times during their cycle. This episode is a really comprehensive guide for understanding the current evidence on female physiology and its implications for exercise. If you train female client’s, you don’t want to miss it!   Timestamps  1:50- What is the menstrual cycle? 3:30- What are the different phases of the menstrual cycle? 5:06- Is it important to understand the menstrual cycle? 6:23- What are the effects of the menstrual cycle? 7:10- Why did Lauren want to study the menstrual cycle and training? 10:35- Does the research suggest that the menstrual cycle affects performance and muscle growth? 18:53- What are the effects of the menstrual cycle? Part 2 20:18- Personalising a clients training. 21:57- Nutrition periodisation and menstrual cycle phase. 22:40- Training myths about the menstrual cycle. 24:00- Should men and women train differently? 29:45- How do elite rugby coaches train female athletes? 32:31- Recommend menstrual cycle resources? Find Out More About Lauren: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/laurencs1/   Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

You can read countless articles about semi-private personal training, but nothing compares to insights from someone who's been through it all.  Our guest of the day, Katie Hughes, has successfully created a bustling semi-private personal training business right from her back garden. Join Stuart as he delves into Katie's journey, uncovering why she chose semi-private training, how she transformed her garage, and what she charges.   Tune in to discover how to transition from one-on-one personal training to a semi-private setup, the tactics to secure more leisure time, and why networking with your parents' friends could be the unsuspected key to business expansion.     Timestamps  01:37-Katie's Typical Week  02:07-Introduction to Katie’s studio  03:19-How did Katie start as a PT?  04:22-Katie's Inspiration for her studio  04:54-Creating the studio  05:42-How Katie got her first clients  06:48-When did Katie decide to do semi-private?  12:45-Introducing semi-private to current clients  14:55-Booking approaches for semi-private  18:45-Costs of one to one vs semi-private  20:30-Taking time off  24:39-Programming semi-private  32:12-Advice for trainers considering moving to semi-private    Find Out More About Katie: Website: https://www.bodyworksmoray.co.uk/  Ig: https://www.instagram.com/bodyworksmoray/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Are you a personal trainer not focused on the latest fitness trends or helping clients achieve athletic milestones like running faster, jumping higher, or hitting a double bodyweight back squat? Perhaps you're more passionate about enhancing someone's daily life by enabling them to move easily, confidently climb stairs, or walk unaided.  If that resonates with you, you're not alone! Today's Lift The Bar Podcast guest is Helen Rothwell, a personal trainer specialising in programs tailored for older adults. Join Stuart as he and Helen discuss fall prevention, optimal session durations, and whether heavy lifting suits older clients. Learn about the most appropriate qualifications for working with this demographic, innovative marketing strategies for reaching a generation that may not be active on social media, and what happens when a 90-year-old requests FaceTime coaching.  This episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to break free from conventional fitness norms. If you're ready to move beyond pre-workout supplements, back squats, and Tupperware, older adults need your expertise. After listening, don't forget to check out Episode 370, featuring Dr. Janet Withall, for an in-depth exploration of the research behind training older populations!     Timestamps 1:50- What does Helen currently do?   3:03- Why did Helen focus on coaching older adults and falls prevention?  6:45- Are older adults underserved by the fitness industry?   8:30- Personal Trainer CPD for training older adults  10:30- How to grow an older adult client base.  16:40- Appropriate session length for older adults   19:00- Session pricing for older adults.   22:39- Managing missed sessions and holidays.  24:31- Communicating the price.  26:02- Coaching older adults via FaceTime.  27:34- Myths and misconceptions about training older adults: Should they lift heavy?    Find Out More About Helen: Website: https://fit-to-speak.com/  Ig: https://www.instagram.com/fit_to_speak/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Are you a fitness professional eager to share your knowledge, attract new clients, and earn money? It's time to think about running a seminar! But wait... What if nobody shows up? What if you only end up confusing everyone? And what if you mess up in front of all those potential clients?  In this episode of the Lift the Bar Podcast, Stuart welcomes back communication coach Jenny Rearick to discuss how you can confidently get started with delivering seminars and presentations in the fitness industry.  Whether you've been hesitant to take the stage, had a less-than-perfect experience in the past, or want to polish your skills, this episode is for you. Jenny shares valuable insights and practical tips for trainers at any stage of their career, helping you expand your reach, build your brand, and make a lasting impact on your audience.  We explore various topics, including the differences between seminars and presentations, connecting with your audience, and incorporating interactive elements to boost engagement. With Jenny's expertise and actionable strategies, you'll be well on your way to becoming a powerful and unforgettable presenter.  Tune in to this Lift the Bar Podcast episode and discover how to elevate your seminars, captivate your audience, and leave them motivated, educated, and eager for more.    Timestamps 01:40- Should PT’s run seminars or workshops?  03:48- What are the advantages to running a seminar or workshop?  04:37- Differences between seminar and presentations  07:45- What should PT’s consider before running a seminar?  11:45- How to design interactive seminar experiences  15:50- How can PT’s maximise their speaking opportunities  18:53- Planning your first presentation: Location  21:52- Planning your first presentation: Topic  24:03- Planning your first presentation: Cost  29:36- Planning your first presentation: Attendance  32:40- Eliminating “filler words” from your presentation  35:15- Why it is important to limit your presentation content.   36:08- Should you use slides?  38:17- How to make attendees feel welcome  39:49- Overcoming presentation nerves    Find Out More About Jenny: Website: https://fit-to-speak.com/  Ig: https://www.instagram.com/fit_to_speak/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Are you tired of hearing the same old fitness advice like, "Protein is essential for muscle growth," or "Eat veggies at every meal to shed pounds"? So are we. And more importantly, so is your audience. The fitness landscape has evolved, and it's crucial to stand out in this content-saturated world.  In this Lift the Bar Podcast episode, Stuart dives deep with Josh Taylor, a funny, engaging, science-based Online Personal Trainer who creates excellent video content. Don't just take our word for it – check out Josh's IG page if you want a chuckle.   Join us as Josh unveils his step-by-step process for crafting irresistibly entertaining videos that will leave your audience craving more. Learn the art of scripting, recording, and editing content that educates and captivates, eliminating the need to hard-sell your coaching services. Josh also shares his secret for generating compelling topics, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and the age-old question: do gingers really have souls?  Tune in now and elevate your fitness content game.    Timestamps:   01:47-Has Josh always been comfortable being funny on video?   05:23-How to create a video “style”  08:17-Has Josh’s content affected the number of coaching enquiries?   12:23-Quality vs Quantity of content.   18:45-Video planning  24:56-Creating content ideas  27:11-Writing content scripts  29:30-Setting up camera shots   33:02-Video Editing   34:09-The importance of quality audio  36:25-Making video thumbnails  38:10-Writing video captions      Find Out More About Josh: Website: https://www.joshtaylorpt.com/optin1584199229844  Ig: https://www.instagram.com/joshtaylorcoaching/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

“Earn seven figures! Pay off your mortgage! Run your business from Dubai and live like royalty. Everyone in my mentorship did it! Who wants in?!" Advice for online coaches often sounds like this, which, to be frank, is pretty damn shady. Thankfully, on this episode of the LTB podcast, we have Dan and Mike from Biceps and Banter to expose the frauds and give us the low down on what PT’s should do if they want to be successful online.     In this episode, you'll learn about the following:  Building effective systems for delivering top-notch coaching  The critical differences between one-to-one and group coaching in the online space  Why niching down involves more than just targeting a specific sex or age.   Tune in and elevate your online coaching game with real-world advice from industry experts, only on the Lift The Bar podcast.    Timestamps:   02:06- Deciding whether being an online PT is right for you  11:25- What was it like being a PT who started their career online?  15:30- What are the advantages of being an online PT?  20:05- Online coaching foundations  31:20- Creating a niche  43:42- Should a new online trainer do one to one or group coaching?  50:11- Shady online PT mentorships       Find Out More About Mike & Dan: Website: https://bicepsandbanter.co.uk/  Mike Ig: https://www.instagram.com/mikebicepsbanter/  Dan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/danbicepsbanter/    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Hey, you’ve got a gap between your clients, right?   Come hang out with Stuart and muse about being a PT.      Timestamps  0:56- An underrated investment worth making 4:00- Do you need a part-time job?   5:50- Do PT’s need abs?   11:38- Is your content actually any good?     Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial  Newsletter: https://ptroadmap.beehiiv.com/subscribe 

In the world of fitness, few have delved as deeply into the realms of business, personal growth, and education as our distinguished guest today. We're excited to welcome back Mark Fisher, the inspirational founder of Mark Fisher Fitness, to the Lift the Bar Podcast as he discusses his new book, The Book of Fitness Business Secrets. Join us and uncover some of the key secrets behind Mark's success.  Explore Mark's essential pillars of marketing and learn how they have contributed to the meteoric rise of Mark Fisher Fitness. Uncover practical tips for managing distractions. Even the ones that come from inside your own head! Mark also shares his invaluable approach for gathering meaningful feedback from clients and even talks about when he chooses to disregard feedback.  This episode is a treasure trove of valuable insights for personal trainers, gym owners, and fitness enthusiasts looking to up their game in the competitive fitness industry. You don't want to miss this opportunity to learn from Mark Fisher's wealth of wisdom and experience as he shares his journey with the Lift The Bar Podcast. So, sit back, listen, and learn – and be sure to have a pen ready for this one!    Timestamps 2:05- Why publish a book?  4:14- Can it be easier to publish a book than we think?   7:02- Marks hardest career moments  12:50- The pillars of marketing  17:10- Referral Campaigns.  22:41- Managing Distractions  26:33- Maximising continuing professional development.   31:20- Getting feedback from clients   35:40- The importance of time away from business.       Find Out More About Mark: Website: https://www.businessforunicorns.com/team/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkFisherHumanBeing    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

Is it that time of the month? The point where you're scrambling around for fresh ideas for your semi-private group workouts? The same old goblet squats just aren't cutting it anymore, and both you and your clients crave something more engaging.  Well, never fear! You're not alone! We've been in that "staring blankly at Excel" situation ourselves, and we're here to help! Get ready to revamp your approach to small-group programme design with this week's LTB podcast.   We're diving into the archives to bring you an insightful conversation with Stuart Macdonald, who's no stranger to the challenges of keeping workouts fresh, engaging, and effective.   Bid farewell to the mundane and embrace exciting programs your clients will love. Listen in as Stuart shares how he's revolutionised his training methods by organising client sessions into long-term dynamic blocks, complete with seamless transitions. Plus, discover how our Programme Design Mentorship transformed Stuart's approach to workout planning, banishing those program design headaches for good.    Timestamps   1:20- Stuart's first experiences with programme design  8:31- What does Stuart's small-group programme look like now: The Importance of Blocks  11:13- How does Stuart design individual sessions within a block  14:35- The value of naming weeks and blocks  17:30- Why semi-private still isn't the norm  19:15- What does a session involve actually involve: Part 1  21:10- The value of cluster sets and time blocks  26:30- Adapting semiprivate for individual clients.   29:10- How Stuart encourages client to coach either other  30:48- What does a session involve actually involve: Part 2  33:01- Finishers and Challenges  34:16- The difference between Session A, B, C  35:25- How does a session progress between months?      Find Out More About Stuart: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truefitnessstudiosolihull  Website: https://truefitnessstudio.com   Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial 

In the last episode of the Lift The Bar podcast, we explored Harriet's journey as she transitioned careers to become a personal trainer. Today's episode features a guest at the other end of the spectrum.   Dean Somerset boasts 20 years of experience as a personal trainer. He is a world-renowned course instructor and speaker. Curious about how he achieved such success? This episode delves into his humble beginnings at a commercial gym, his strategies to build an initial client base, and his insights on making career decisions. We also discuss the ever-present debate: which is more important, lifestyle or money?    Timestamps   01:26- Imposter Syndrome  06:34- Why did Dean stay in a commercial gym for so long?  10:12- How important is it for new trainers to look for the right gym?  11:52- Did Dean ever consider being an employed trainer?  14:14- What would Dean change about his early career?  16:48- How to develop people skills.  21:42- Dean’s advice for a struggling PT  24:06- Focusing on lead generation inside vs outside of a gym.  27:10- What else should trainers do early in their career?  29:29- Why Dean didn’t open a facility?  33:47- What is the best piece of advice Dean’s ever been given?  33:57- What would Dean change about the fitness industry?  34:42- What would a national campaign for personal training look like?  35:28 Advice for a PT who has fallen out of love with coaching.    Find Out More About Dean: Website: https://deansomerset.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsomerset1/?hl=en    Find Out More About LTB: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/  Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Free Trial: https://liftthebar.com/free-trial