Physical Preparation Podcast Archives - Robertson Training Systems

If you were a basketball strength coach, what do you think you could learn working for a coach with NBA experience like Aaron McKie? Or what about a guy like Matt Painter, with his 19 seasons at Purdue? Or what about the one and only John Calipari? A guy who has had tremendous amount of success at numerous schools? Well today’s guest can give us the inside scoop – because he’s worked for all of them! Brady Welsh is a professional strength coach who has worked in some of the biggest college basketball environments on the planet, and today, he’s going to share with you his keys to success!   I truly believe that ego can be the biggest enemy of the strength coach, and that’s where humility has to come in. – Brady Welsh   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: What the TRUE ROLE of a strength coach is in college basketball. Why you need to understand the unique culture and environment of every program you work in. One of Brady’s biggest mistakes as a strength coach – and what he learned from it. How to connect with each athlete as an individual, and how that helps you as a performance coach. The difference between confidence and ego – and why humility has to be a focus. Brady’s 4 key metrics he tracks when it comes to force plate testing. Why body weight is something that should be on every coaches radar. The balance between soft skills and technical coaching. How to present data to coaches in a way that’s meaningful to them. Hard truth: Young coaches should seek mentorship and be prepared to make sacrifices. Why networking is still a key piece of your coaching and career development.     Connect with Brady: Brady on Instagram   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 Brady Welsh on Ego, Humility, and Communication as a Strength Coach appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Do you want to help your athletes get faster? More explosive? And teach them how to move effectively in the process? If so, you’re going to love this week’s episode with Lee Taft! From PE teacher to world-renowned speed coach, Lee has always questioned the current dogma when it comes to speed training. And in this episode, we’re going to break down (get it) some of the hottest topics in speed training today. The importance of heel contact in speed training. Why repositioning steps are so important for accelerating effectively. And finally, how to speed training fits into an overarching S&C program. Quite simply if you want to help your athletes get faster, you need to listen to this episode RIGHT NOW!   Young athletes are exposed to these high thresholds and demands in sport, but not every kid has the ability to decelerate their body well. – Lee Taft   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Lee’s journey from PE teacher to elite speed coach. Why Lee was always curious and questioning others when it came to speed training. The power of band resistance, and the numerous ways you can use it to improve speed and agility. Coaching efficiency first, then speed second. How to effectively coach and cue closeouts in basketball. The power of the heels, and why cuing athletes to be “on the toes” is a mistake. Repositioning steps, and the difference between a plyo step and a hip turn (this distinction was new to me!) Why pivots are slow and coaches should stop using them. The power of finding good angles in speed training. High-quality speed training shouldn’t take forever! Why the real juice is in teaching athletes to move more effectively.     Connect with Lee: LeeTaft.com Lee on Instagram   Related Links: Lee’s Previous Podcasts   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 Lee Taft on Braking, Directional Steps, and Building Elite Basketball Speed appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

So you’re having some success training and coaching, and that’s got you thinking about opening your own gym. Congrats! But before you do…listen to this episode FIRST! Andy McCloy is not only one of the realest dudes I know, but someone that practices what he preaches. He’s running one of the most successful coaching gyms in the United States out of Hunstville, Alabama, and today we’re going to take a deep dive into what it REALLY TAKES to run a successful gym. Interested? You should be – because this episode is absolute fire. Let’s do this!   Sending multiple emails? Creating multiple posts? Referrals? Reach outs? That’s the juice man…but that’s also the REAL work. – Andy McCloy   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Why great entrepreneurs understand their true motivations. The biggest mistake that many coaches make when opening their own business. You need confidence to be a great coach – but to be confident, you have to get the reps! Unconfident? Insecure? We were too – here are some thoughts on how to fix it. If you want to be truly successful, you need to grow your network. An overview of the “Entrepreneurship Lifecycle” – and how to avoid the trap most people make in it! Ready to become an “online coach?” Here’s what you better do first… The high-value skills that EVERY trainer and coach needs to master if they want to be successful and stay in business. The role social media should play in your education. Why focusing solely on top-line revenue isn’t the best metric to track – and what you should be looking at instead. What Andy means when he talks about “Playing Business.” The difference between leading and lagging indicators. Finding actions that DRIVE outcomes. Final thoughts on leadership and leaving a legacy.     Connect with Andy: BuiltToLastGym.com Andy on IG   Related Links: Listen to ALL of Andy’s previous podcast episodes   Grow Your Fitness Business or Gym with Push Press! Gym owners and coaches, have you heard about PushPress? It’s the best gym management software company and it’s revolutionizing the fitness world. So check this out: PushPress is built BY gym owners. They understand the ins and outs of running a fitness business because they’re “in the trenches” in their own gyms every single day. Key products like Core, Grow, and Train are designed to help you with everything from billing and scheduling to lead generation and progress tracking. Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features. And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes. Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions. So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over to pushpress.com/ppp.   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 Andy McCloy on Entrepreneurship, Becoming an Elite Coach and “Playing Business” appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past 2 months, it’s hard to ignore what Elon Musk has been doing with DOGE – or the Department of Government Efficiency. And while I’m not here to play politics, one thing I think we can all agree on is this: It’s valuable to audit our work, and determine what’s working well versus what’s not. So today I’m going to create my own agency – the Department of TRAINING Efficiency (or DOTE, for short) to see what YOU can do to level up! We’re going to audit everything from your assessments, to your program design, to your coaching and cuing so we can figure out what’s working… …and most importantly, what’s NOT. So without any further ado, let’s dive in!   Don’t be the Workout Generator 5000 – remember that 20% of your exercises are going to give you 80% of the results. – MR   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Your assessment is not only a time to connect, but to fast-track the program design process. The role templates should play in your programming. Why templates aren’t bad – unless you’re just churning out cookie-cutter workouts! How many exercises do you REALLY need in a workout? Should you coach and cue every set? Why you should stop worrying about “perfect” movement…and what to do instead. My “not-so-secret” hack for writing programs fast that still get awesome results. Workouts taking too long? Spending 30 minutes to warm-up? Try THIS during your next session. Remember to ALWAYS make your clients and athletes feel successful when working with you!     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!   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 5 Ways to Become a More Efficient Coach and Program Designer appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Well my friends it’s been a hot minute, but we’re BACK with a new Q&A podcast! Now in the past when I’ve done these, I’ve always posted to IG and hoped (prayed!) that my core audience would see it and ask their questions. But this time I decided to get smart, sent it out to my newsletter list, and we got an absolute TON of awesome questions. In this episode we cover everything from increasing your income, to in-season training, to force plate testing, to gen pop program design and so much more. Needless to say there’s something in here for every trainer and coach, so I know you’re going to love it. Let’s do this!   At the end of the day, you have to find high level trainers and coaches to to surround yourself with. – MR   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: How to help your athletes keep strength when they’re playing 2 (or more) games per week. Thoughts on “selling” strength and conditioning to in-season athletes – and their parents! Using force plates to not only make the initial sale, but how to use them for on-going testing, tracking and athlete retention. How to increase your income as a trainer or coach WITHOUT taking on more in-person hours. What is braking? And why might it be important for a gen pop client? Plyometrics for clients over 40: Where to start? And should you be doing them at all? What training for longevity REALLY means How “strong” is strong enough for gen pop clients? Thoughts on progressing clients and athletes to more difficult exercises. How to “link” the templates from the Complete Coach Cert so you’re not doing just one-off programs. Selecting loads on assistance exercises like split-squats, single-leg RDL’s, etc. How to keep yourself engaged and switched on when it feels like everyone around you isn’t serious about getting better.     Related Links: In-Season Program Design Masterclass (can also be found in IFAST Basketball Insiders below) Braking Case Study Gen Pop Program Design Masterclass Complete Coach Certification Ryan Patrick IG Post Damien Harper braking article    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 Gen Pop Training, In-Season Program Design, and Increasing Income (February Q&A) appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

As an adult, it’s NORMAL to feel stuck at certain points in your career… …and I believe this is even more true in the fitness industry than others! Look, I’m 24 years in and I know there were numerous times along the way I felt like I was making zero progress. Couldn’t get a job out of college. Only working with broken people in a rehab job I hated after that. Grinding for hours on end doing in-home training. But rather than complain about everything that’s wrong, let’s focus on coming up with ideas to get you moving forward. Today’s episode is like a private, 1-on-1 mentorship or coaching call with yours truly. Whether you’re not making enough money, not getting great results, or simply don’t feel like you’re getting better, we’re going to walk you through 5 different reasons you might feel stuck, and how to fix it ASAP. Let’s do this!   Social media is NOT continuing education. Is it inspiring at times? Sure. Does it give you some great ideas? Sure. But continuing education? That’s a strong hell no my friend. – MR   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Feeling stuck in your fitness career is normal. Financial struggles are a common issue in the fitness industry. You may be underpaid…OR you might be overvaluing your current skillset. Client-driven programming is essential for success. Are your programs really helping your clients meet their needs and goals? Communication is crucial in building client relationships. Continuous professional development is necessary for growth. Are you taking the time to truly understand your clients and athletes? In-person seminars and workshops can help keep the fire stoked and motivation high. Why social media should NOT replace formal continuing education. Seek out mentors to guide your professional growth. Identify gaps in your knowledge to improve as a coach. Apply what you learn in real-world scenarios. Teaching others solidifies your understanding of concepts. Surround yourself with motivated individuals to keep yourself engaged and continue to grow and evolve as a coach.      Related Links: Luka Hocevar and Andy McCloy on Building the Life You Want and a Gym That Lasts Complete Coach Cert   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!   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 5 Reasons You’re Feeling Stuck in the Fitness Industry appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Pic Lead   QUOTE – Lee Taft   This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast: Bullets   YOUTUBEZ   Connect with Lee: LeeTaft.com Lee on Instgram   Related Links: Lee’s Podcasts here   Level Up Your Program Design with TrainHeroic! 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 TrainHeroic. 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 TrainHeroic. 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 Stephen Calarco on Building a Fitness Business, Continuing Education and Investing in Yourself appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

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.