In this discussion, Steven Webster, founder of ASENSEI and a martial arts coach, explores the exciting intersection of AI and fitness coaching. He emphasizes how technology can enhance, rather than replace, human trainers while personalizing experiences through data analytics. Webster also highlights the transformative potential of digital tools in high school athletics and the importance of adaptive coaching models. He shares insights on continuous learning in martial arts and the vital role of technology in the future of fitness training.

Most “high level” trainers and coaches don’t like to talk about this, but we’ve ALL had crappy clients and athletes over the years. The person who is never motivated to train. Late cancels all the time (but doesn’t want to get charged). And literally sucks the life out of you every time they’re in the gym. But have faith my friend, because there’s a better way! In this show, I’m going to give you 3 steps every trainer and coach should take to create a stable of ideal clients that they love working with. Let’s do this!   Culture is absolutely a thing. It’s something you need to be conscious of. And what I keep coming back to is that culture is driven from the top-down. – Mike Robertson   10 Quick Takeaways from The Physical Prep Podcast: Setting expectations and boundaries is crucial for client relationships. Envisioning your ideal client helps in attracting the right people. High performers respect your time and understand the value you bring. Not everyone feels the same way about the gym as you do. You need to respect your value as a coach and service provider. Setting expectations upfront is key to client success. Culture in coaching is top-down driven and essential for success. Reinforcing positive behavior encourages clients to meet expectations. Communication is vital when addressing client issues. Letting go of non-ideal clients is necessary for maintaining a healthy coaching environment.     Level Up Your Program Design with Train Heroic! Are you tired of using clunky, antiquated program design tools like Microsoft Word or Excel? Are you ready to level up your programming, and make it far more engaging to your clients and athletes? If so, you need to check out Train Heroic. I’ve been using TrainHeroic for years now both here at RTS and at IFAST, and I can tell you the user experience both as an athlete and coach is truly second to none. To learn more and start your free 14-day trial, just follow this link to learn more about Train Heroic. Not only will you get your first 14 days free, but it’s just $10/month to get started officially after that. So don’t wait any longer – head over trainheroic.co/rts and start crafting beautiful programs your clients and athletes will love TODAY!   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post 3 Steps to Creating a Stable of Ideal Clients and Athletes appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Do you work with athletes who want to improve their vertical jump? Are you curious about the differences between 2-leg and 1-leg jumping? Or how the best dunkers of all time approach their jump training? If so, you’re going to LOVE today’s episode! Tyler Ray is a former professional dunker and a true expert in the space of vertical jump training. His business is a combination of education for trainers and coaches like us, but he still works with athletes as well, helping them take their jump technique and performance to the next level. And in this week’s show, we’re going to take a deep dive into how YOU can help your athletes jump higher than ever before!   It’s became a buzzword, right? The penultimate stride. Everybody now wants to speak on it and give their opinions on it. But a lot of people still don’t really understand its true purpose, and you can actually get yourself into a lot of trouble if you create a penultimate stride that’s too long. – Tyler Ray   10 Key Takeaways from This Week’s Physical Prep Podcast: A perfect jump approach involves smooth transitions and hip height management. Training intention is crucial for effective jump performance. Basketball players need to navigate defense, which will impact their jump technique. Common mistakes in jump performance include late lowering and diving through the penultimate stride. Understanding the difference between muscular and elastic jumpers is essential. Strength training should be tailored to the athlete’s jumping style. Low rim dunking is beneficial for practicing technique without high impact. Mastery in jumping comes from repetition and refining technique. Every athlete needs to find and flip their switch for optimal performance. Building confidence in weak legs requires more exposure to one-legged activities. Jumping should be viewed as a skill that requires practice, not just strength training.     Connect with Tyler: Tyler on Instagram Tyler on TikTok Tyler on YouTube   Related Links:   Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates! Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way. Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance. You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session. Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance. And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions. With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level. To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Unlocking the Secrets of Vertical Jump Training with Tyler Ray appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

I don’t know about you, but it felt like 2024 absolutely BLEW BY. Maybe it’s just my age or everything I have going on, but it definitely seemed to be here and gone faster than most. So whenever a year wraps up, I like to take some time, decompress, and really get clear on my personal and professional life. What’s going well? What needs to improve? And how can I make the upcoming year my best year EVER? Well in this week’s episode, I’m going to give you a candid look at what went well in 2024, and what I’m going to do in 2025 to make it an amazing year for all of us here at RTS. Let’s do this!   I want to work with high performers and people that have the internal motivation to see change, whether that’s with their body, their mind, their programming, or their coaching. –  MR   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: An honest appraisal of 2024, and why I describe it as a year of personal and professional growth. My thoughts on where the podcast is at, and tweaks/changes I want to make in the future. Zigging while others zag in regards to writing articles and creating content. Why I DO NOT think video should be your only means of communicating with your audience. The creation of IFAST Basketball Insiders, and why it’s forced me to become a better coach AND communicator. Why I want to write more programs for the general population in 2025. The culture of IFAST, and why it’s still awesome to this day. How I’ve refined my online coaching process to make it as similar to offline coaching as possible. Personal goals I’ve set for myself this year, and how I’m hoping to interweave work and play a little bit more!     Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post RTS and IFAST 2024 Year in Review and 2025 Preview appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Have you ever thought about the BUSINESS SIDE of collegiate strength and conditioning? For instance, how do you go about hiring high-quality staff? How do you develop them and ensure they’re growing while under your tutelage? And how the heck do you decide what to spend money on? Well lucky for us, today’s guest has experience doing all of this! Eric Guthrie joined George Washington in 2021 and is responsible for overseeing the sports performance department and working directly with Gymnastics and Lacrosse. Guthrie came to GW from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he worked as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach since 2013. And in this episode, we’re going to break down the business of collegiate strength and conditioning!   You have to turn the dial up and down…you’re not going to go into working with golf at the same intensity as you would with football or baseball. – Eric Guthrie   10 Quick Takeaways From This Week’s Physical Prep Podcast: Most great coaches have a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology. Make it a goal to work more hours and with as many athletes as possible when you’re young. Hiring should focus on good people FIRST – then skills. Curiosity and a growth mindset are essential traits for coaches. Regular assessments, high-quality meetings and good communication enhance the quality of your coaches and overall staff. Building trust with young coaches takes time and effort. Exposure to various training methods is crucial for growth. Make it a goal to understand the context of training principles, and where they originally came from. Budgeting in collegiate sports requires strategic planning, and you need to know what your overall vision is for your program. Finding work-life balance is an ongoing challenge for most coaches.     Connect with Eric: Eric on Instagram Eric on X/Twitter Eric’s Website   Improve Your Conditioning, Recovery and Health with Morpheus! If you’re looking to improve your conditioning and recovery, or take your health and performance to the next level, you need to try Morpheus. Created by world-renowned conditioning expert Joel Jamieson, in just 3 minutes per day, you can test your Heart Rate Variability (or HRV) to monitor your recovery and see how hard you should workout. Based on your recovery, Morpehus will help auto-regulate your training and prescribe specific heart rate training zones you should be working in to maximize your results. And to help guide you in this process, Morpheus will give you Zone Based Interval Training workouts – so instead of being “random,” these sessions will actually help push you towards you training goals! Whether you want high-intensity, low-intensity or something in between, Morpheus has a zone-based workout you can follow. If you’d like to learn more, head over to TrainWithMorpehus.com and see how Morpheus can help take your conditioning, recovery and health to the next level!   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Eric Guthrie on Hiring Great People, Developing Coaches, and the Biz of Collegiate S&C appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

As we age, our training must evolve to maintain strength and mobility. Deload weeks and thoughtful intensity checks become essential for recovery and performance. Engaging in sports with family can keep motivation high and foster a healthier lifestyle. Balancing functional exercises with nutrition advice reinforces longevity. Emphasizing strength training is crucial for muscle maintenance, while recovery strategies help prevent injuries. Mindset adjustments play a key role in embracing fitness after 40.

Have you ever thought about how we can improve the healthcare system in our country? Maybe you got hurt, and didn’t have the ability to finish physical therapy. Maybe you realize that truly proactive healthcare starts with foundational elements like exercise, nutrition and recovery versus doctors visits and medication. Or maybe in a worst case scenario, you’ve lost a loved one to cancer or heart disease, simply because they were diagnosed too late. Well if you’ve ever thought there has to be a better way, you’re going to love today’s episode of the podcast. Dr. Jeremy Bettle is internationally recognized as a leading expert in the field of Human Performance. His role as an innovator and disruptor, over almost 20 years, at the cutting edge of high performance sport led to the development of world-leading systems of athlete care and optimization. Now, as the founder of Vitality Collective, Jeremy is applying these principles of athlete optimization to the broader field of longevity, with individuals who don’t leave any stone unturned in their pursuit of optimal health and vitality. And today, we’re going to talk about how Jeremy is making this proactive version of healthcare a reality!   We start treating you BEFORE something hurts. We get you above strength levels so you don’t blow out your Achilles. – Dr. Jeremy Bettle   15 Quick Takeaways from This Week’s Physical Prep Podcast: Physical preparation is crucial for both athletes and general population. Biomechanics and neuroscience are both key in understanding performance. Injury prevention should be a proactive approach, not a reactive one. While many are focus on longevity, vitality is the key to getting the most out of those days. Monitoring health markers can prevent injuries in the general population. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective health management. The glorification of overwork can hinder overall performance. Rest is essential for high performance, not just for athletes. Sleep is the most effective performance enhancer we have available to us – make it a priority! Mental resilience is crucial for balancing work and family life. Exercise, including weightlifting, boosts brain function. Self-care is foundational for high performance in any field. We MUST shift our healthcare system from a reactive to proactive model. People are sick of the current healthcare system. Education is crucial for both practitioners and patients if we want to revolutionize healthcare. Building partnerships is essential for a cohesive system.     Connect with Dr. Jeremy Bettle: Jeremy on Instagram Vitality Collective Montecito Vitality Collective Website   Related Episodes: Joel Jamieson on Longevity, Preventing Cardiovascular Disease, and Training the Individual Joel Jamieson on Metabolic Optimization, Longevity and the Future of Sports Supplements   Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates! Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way. Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance. You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session. Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance. And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions. With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level. To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Dr. Jeremy Bettle on Vitality, Training High Performers and Reimagining Healthcare appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

If you’ve been following pro sports lately, it seems like every week an athlete from the NFL, NBA or MLB is dealing with a calf strain, or even worse, rupturing their Achilles tendon. And while you can obviously go to IG or TikTok and pick up some cool new exercises, I think it’s far more important to have a really good understanding of the lower leg anatomy, how to assess it, and from there how to train it effectively if we want to make a real impact in improving calf and Achilles function. And that’s why I’m so excited to have Dylan Carmody on the podcast – as he literally wrote an entire ebook on this topic! Dylan is a Physical Therapist and sports practitioner in Bend, Oregon. Along with practicing and working with local sports clubs in the Bend region, Dylan is a podcast host and individual contributor to Inform Performance and is the Clinical Marketing Manager at VALD Performance. And in this episode, we’re going to take a deep dive into everything related to calf training and performance!   You can’t hide from the calf…it’s ALWAYS there. – Dylan Carmody   10 Quick Takeaways from This Week’s Physical Prep Podcast: The soleus muscle plays a crucial role in lower limb function and injury prevention. Understanding the anatomy of the calf is essential for effective rehabilitation. Injury mechanisms can vary significantly between individuals due to anatomical differences. Rehabilitation strategies for tendons should include specific loading protocols. The relationship between muscle fiber types and performance is vital for training programs. Loading strategies should be tailored to individual responses. Incorporating various planes of movement is crucial for calf training. Slow to moderate speed running can be protective for calves. Short ground contact times may be beneficial during rehab. Quality over quantity in loading reps is essential. Rehabilitation processes can be counterintuitive, especially for calves.     Connect with Dr. Dylan Carmody: Dylan on Instagram Inform Performance Podcast   Related Links: Comprehensive Calf Force Profiling Ebook   Stop the Frustration! Get the Complete Coach Certification Are you a young fitness trainer or coach? Are you frustrated by the results you’re getting or the lack of resources available to learn the skills you need to be successful? Are you struggling to get enough clients or wondering how long you’ll be able to follow your passion for helping others? It’s time to stop the frustration and stop worrying. It’s time to get certified! If you’re serious about improving your results, serious about becoming a better coach, and serious about increasing your bottom line, then you need the Complete Coach Certification. In this massive course, you’ll learn: How to use the R7 system to create seamless, integrated and efficient programs for clients and athletes of all shapes and sizes How to create the culture, environment and relationships with everyone you train so you can get the absolute best results The exact progressions, regressions, and coaching cues I use in the gym – from squatting and deadlifting to pressing and pulling and everything in between The assessment process I use to determine the best exercises for a client or athlete on Day 1, and how to set them up for maximal success down the line! This certification is jam-packed with everything I’ve learned over the last 20 years of my career. So if you’re ready to get serious about the results you’re getting for your clients and the impact your programs have on your income, head over to www.completecoachcertification.com to sign up for the Complete Coach Certification course today! Spots are limited, and the next certification is set to launch in March. To learn more, please join my FREE Insiders List and stay tuned for our launch details to save $200 when the course opens!   Subscribe, Rate & Share Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Dylan Carmody on Understanding Anatomy to Optimize Performance and Health in the Lower Leg appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Dr. Jim Stoppani, a leading authority on exercise science and sports nutrition, shares his fascinating journey from idolizing bodybuilding legends to becoming a key figure in the fitness industry. He emphasizes that the scale doesn’t tell the whole story, explores effective training techniques for fat loss, and discusses the importance of understanding body composition beyond just weight. Stoppani also addresses the balance of macronutrients in diets, debunks common myths about carbohydrates, and highlights the need for informed consumer practices in supplementation.

It seems like everybody and their mother is talking about force plates these days. And I’m obviously guilty of it myself…but only because I feel like force plates are the single-most impactful thing I’ve added to my coaching in the past five years. But what if you’re not a sports scientist – how do you get started? What tests should you use? And what metrics should you be looking at? Well if you’re curious at all about force plates or how to use them, you’re going to love today’s episode with Dr. John McMahon! Dr. McMahon is the Director of Research and Education at Hawkin Dynamics. He is also an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Salford, where he previously worked for more than a decade as a biomechanics researcher and educator. John has authored over 100 published journal articles and has presented his force assessment research at multiple international conferences spanning the fields of strength and conditioning, sports biomechanics, and sports science. And in this episode we’re going to take a deep dive into force plates and how to use them!   Testing should feel like part of coaching. Dr. John McMahon   12 Quick Takeaways from the Physical Prep Podcast: Force plates provide valuable insights into athletic performance. Start with basic tests to build confidence in using force plates. Key tests for performance include counter movement jumps and isometric pulls. The ODS framework helps link output metrics to performance drivers. Athletes need to be educated on how to interpret their performance data. Communicating results to athletes is crucial for understanding. Relative forces are more significant than absolute forces. Tracking metrics helps refine coaching programs. Athlete motivation and effort are key to accurate assessments. Observing athletes during tests is essential for accurate data. Engaging with athletes during testing enhances the experience. Reducing the number of metrics can prevent overwhelm. Focus on the human aspect of coaching, not just data.     Connect with Dr. John McMahon: Force Plate Coach on IG   Related Links: Dr. Paul Comfort on Assessing and Evaluating Force Production Drake Berberet: The Beginners Guide to Assessing and Training with Force Plates The ODS System: A Guide to Selecting Your Force-Time Metrics   Supercharge Your Decision-Making and Program Design with Hawkin Dynamics Force Plates! Hawkin Dynamics designs and builds performance hardware and software the right way. Their dual wireless force plates give you the most accurate, real-time data on athletic performance. You’ll have the ability to performance test your athletes in a matter of seconds, and give them immediate feedback on their strengths, weaknesses and readiness for that day’s training session. Their software is designed in house and continually updated to ensure the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to use, so both you and your athletes can visualize what’s going on and how to improve their performance. And Hawkin Dynamics is built around their customers and provide industry-leading support and training services to ensure you get the most out of their solutions. With options to lease or buy, coupled with a 5-year warranty, Hawkin Dynamics force plates can take your performance facility to the next level. To learn more, head over to HawkinDynamics.com or follow them on Instagram @HawinDynamics.   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you! The post Dr. John McMahon on The Future of Force Plates in Athletic Performance appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.