As soon as Dr. Amy Bender’s aunt took her to a sleep lab, she became fascinated about sleep research. In fact, she was so fascinated that she eventually found herself landing a job as a sleep technologist at Washington State University, where she would go on to complete her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, focusing on sleep EEG. She later became a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Calgary, where she worked with Canadian Olympic athletes—an experience close to her heart, as she was once an elite athlete herself. Today, in addition to her role as the Director of Clinical Sleep Science at Cerebra, Amy serves as a consultant who helps executives, athletes, and everyday people sleep better. Amy joins me today to discuss the science behind sleep and why it’s essential to the health and performance of athletes and the general population alike. She shares her advice for getting better sleep and discusses what individuals can do when they wake up in the middle of the night. She describes how poor sleeping habits can impact health and affect the body’s hormones. And Amy also shares her tips for optimizing sleep when traveling and overcoming jet lag, and underscores how breathing and cognitive practices can help us get better sleep.   There are many things we can do to optimize our sleep, and it all starts with sleep hygiene. – Dr. Amy Bender   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Amy’s background and what led her to the world of sleep science The critical role of sleep for the body Recommendations for better sleep How much sleep athletes really need How scientists like Amy evaluate sleep quality What polysomnography is and how it compares to wearable devices like the Oura Ring Breaking down the various phases of sleep The benefits of using wearable sleep devices Amy’s tips on falling back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night Middle-of-the-night routines: what they are and why you should have them Breathing exercises and cognitive techniques and how they can help us return to sleep The different chronotypes and why Amy is a proponent of naps How to have the best naps to boost focus and performance Supplements for better sleep and optimizing sleep for travel The power of sleep hygiene   Connect with Dr. Amy Bender: Sleep in to Win Cerebra Cerebra on LinkedIn Amy Bender on LinkedIn Amy Bender on Instagram Amy Bender on Twitter   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Dr. Amy Bender on the Science of Sleep appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

With a truly pragmatic approach to training, Chris Chase emphasizes establishing standards in his programs. KPIs, he notes, provides a framework that helps players get to where they need to be. Perhaps this is wisdom drawn from experience; after all, Chris has coached at every level there is. He has served as Strength and Conditioning Coach for the University of Southern California and, in 2015, was named the Atlanta Hawks’ Performance Coach. Chris is currently an NBA Strength & Conditioning Coach and enters his third season serving as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Director of Performance. Chris joins me today to discuss the value of establishing standards, KPIs, and putting them to practice. He explains how quantifying information can help training and programming become more efficient and discusses the importance of using machines and isolation exercises. He also shares how he incorporates flywheels in training and how he monitors the demands of basketball in-game and uses his research to impact players’ training in the weight room.   Establishing standards, KPIs, and key results provides a framework when setting goals with players and objectifying where they need to be. – Chris Chase   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Training in the time of COVID and adjusting to a new normal The power of establishing standards and how to put them into practice The role machines play in Chris’ programming for basketball players The importance of machines and isolation exercises Expanding standards into as many elements of a training program as possible How quantifying and objectifying information can make your programs more actionable and efficient Monitoring the demands of basketball and how that data translates in the weight room Consolidating stressors, global stress, and why teams need to be in the same rhythm Mimicking basketball training and programming in the weight room The pros and cons of flywheel training, why Chris uses it, and how to implement it   Related Content: Physical Preparation with Chris Chase Chris Chase on the Trainable Exercise Menu Chris Chase on the Evolution of Strength & Conditioning in Basketball   Connect with Chris: Chris Chase on Instagram   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Chris Chase on Establishing Standards and Improving Performance in Basketball appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Like many people, Molly Galbraith was unhappy with her body when she was 18 and would spend years struggling with insecurities. But, when she discovered how she could stop comparing herself to other women, Molly dedicated her life to supporting women and helping them feel strong, confident, and empowered in their lives and bodies. She and other passionate women co-founded Girls Gone Strong as a platform dedicated to women and strength. Since its founding, Girls Gone Strong has grown to become the world’s premier education company that provides evidence-based interdisciplinary health, fitness nutrition, and pregnancy education for women and the health and fitness professionals who work with them. In her book, Strong Women Lift Each Other Up, Molly draws from her experience as a coach and Woman-in-Charge at Girls Gone Strong to guide women through what it takes to use their values and lift other women. Molly joins me today to discuss training during and after pregnancy. She discusses pelvic organ health and the role of coaches in supporting women’s health. She reveals the dos and don’ts of exercising and lifting heavy weights while pregnant and shares her advice for planning a return-to-work program for women postpartum. And Molly also explains why she is a staunch advocate of therapy and mental health and how women can develop a healthy relationship with their bodies.   Unless you’re someone who specializes in working with young male bodybuilders, you’re going to work with women, and there are things you need to know about their bodies to be able to coach them well. – Molly Galbraith   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: How Molly got into the world of physical preparation Why she emphasizes pregnancy and postpartum phases in her work The reason coaches need to be educated on pregnancy, postpartum, and women’s health The biggest misconceptions and myths about pregnant women and exercise The dos and don’ts of exercising for pregnant women Molly’s recommendations for lifting heavy weights while pregnant Using the principles of strength and conditioning to write a smart return-to-exercise program for women in postpartum Assessing the healing of the diastasis recti The importance of seeing a pelvic floor specialist Tips and advice for coaches talking to their clients about potentially sensitive topics How therapy helped Molly cultivate a healthy relationship with her body How to be a strong woman who lifts up other women   Connect with Molly: Molly Galbraith Website Girls Gone Strong Book: Strong Women Lift Each Other Up Girls Gone Strong on LinkedIn Girls Gone Strong on Instagram Girls Gone Strong on Facebook Girls Gone Strong on Twitter Girls Gone Strong on YouTube Molly Galbraith on Instagram Molly Galbraith on Facebook Molly Galbraith on Twitter   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Molly Galbraith on Training during and after Pregnancy appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Running Force Fitness and Performance was great, but Olympic weightlifter and sports performance coach Wil Fleming wanted to focus on his true passion… …coaching. After 10 years of owning and operating Force, Wil decided to sell the business in 2018 and founded 1Kilo Weightlifting. At 1Kilo, Wil specializes in coaching Olympic weightlifting for athletes both online and in person. In addition to his work as a coach, Wil is a sought-after speaker and the author of numerous books for athletes, including the Complete Weightlifting Handbook and Velocity-Based Training For Weightlifting. Wil joins me today to discuss velocity-based training and how he’s using it with weightlifters. He explains how he uses VBT as a readiness tool and how it impacts his decision-making and training. He describes how he utilizes VBT to plan and manage his monthly training cycles, instead of using the more obsolete percentage-based approach. And last but not least, Wil also shares what exercise he finds most effective for power development, and reveals what Olympic derivatives he’d give to field and court athletes to maximize theirs.   If you’re a strength and conditioning coach, you’d want to touch that peak power zone. Olympic lifts are a direct route to that. – Wil Fleming   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: The evolution of Wil’s businesses and how he took his coaching online Why he sold his business and went on to become a solo entrepreneur Wil’s current business model and the importance of establishing the “why” of your business The value of niching down a business Why Wil is a huge fan of velocity-based training in weightlifting The importance of testing athletes and getting a velocity profile How Wil uses VBT as a readiness tool with weightlifters and other athletes The true power of the muscle snatch The objectivity behind velocity-based training Potential risks and complications from muscle snatches How Wil’s training philosophy changed over the past three years The biggest business lesson Wil learned since COVID-19   Resources Mentioned: CoachNow Book: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek   Related Content: Physical Preparation with Wil Fleming   Connect with Wil: Wil Fleming 1Kilo Book: Velocity-Based Training for Weightlifting: Current Concepts & Applications Book: Complete Olympic Lifting Handbook 1Kilo on Instagram Wil Fleming on LinkedIn Wil Fleming on Instagram Wil Fleming on Facebook Wil Fleming on Twitter Wil Fleming on YouTube   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Wil Fleming on Assessing and Implementing VBT in Olympic Weighlifting appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Brady Howe has had many titles throughout his career. He has been an athletic trainer, strength coach, and equipment manager for various institutions and teams, including the Utah Flash, Weber State University, the Salt Lake City Stars, the Idaho Stampede, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Phoenix Suns. But the common threads that run through these are his love for basketball and his desire to uplift others. Today, as the Senior Director of Health & Performance for the Phoenix Suns, Brady is driven not only to serve athletes and help them grow, but to empower the people around him in reaching their full potential. Brady joins me today to discuss the role of soft skills in leadership and athletic development. He shares his journey to becoming the Senior Director of Health & Performance of the Phoenix Suns and discusses how trusting others in his team helps him manage his responsibilities. He explains why basketball will always be his first love and why the sport is a family to him. And he also underscores why young people who aspire to be coaches need to face adversities and highlights the impact of culture on athletic development.   Leadership is about empowering others and showing that you believe in them. Find the best way to empower them and give them creative opportunities to maximize their potential. – Brady Howe   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Brady’s career path from the Utah Flash to the Phoenix Suns and how he got started in the world of physical preparation How a Facebook message led to Brady’s introduction to basketball What kept Brady returning to basketball How the different roles and responsibilities Brady has taken on evolved over the years Moving from soldier to commander, the power of communication, and why basketball is a family One of the most challenging parts about being in the NBA G-League The powerful impact of culture on success What leadership means to Brady and why young people should face their adversities   Resources Mentioned: Book: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek   Connect with Brady: Brady Howe on LinkedIn Brady Howe on Instagram   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 massive certification course 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 September 2021. 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 with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Brady Howe on the Power of Soft Skills in Leadership and Athletic Development appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Eric Cressey’s work ethic is incomparable. In addition to being the Co-Founder and President of Cressey Sports Performance—widely considered one of the premier facilities for baseball-specific training—Eric is a prolific writer who has authored over 500 articles and five books, including Maximum Strength and The High Performance Handbook. And as if that weren’t enough, Eric joined the New York Yankees in January 2020 to serve as their Director of Player Health and Performance while maintaining his role at CSP. Eric is a highly-sought after coach who has worked with hundreds of professional and youth players over his career—jumping, sprinting, and alongside his athletes to inspire them while keeping them healthy in the process. Eric joins me today to talk about business and baseball. He discusses how he manages his time between working with Cressey Sports Performance and the Yankees and describes the power of planning that makes it all happen. He shares the evolution of his training philosophy in baseball and explains why he shifted away from strength development to some degree. And he also discusses why so many youth baseball players get broken even before they get to the major league levels and reveals the three things he’d do to keep younger players healthier and on the field.   Being able to learn baseball on a deeper level has made me a better coach and allowed me to create better content for athletes. – Eric Cressey   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: How Eric balances his time between his New York Yankees role and his business His training philosophy and how it has evolved over the years The advantages of being an outsider and how having a deeper understanding of baseball made Eric a better coach Emerging injury trends in baseball and their common causes Protecting young baseball players from injuries Why catching is an incredibly challenging position in baseball and why kids shouldn’t exclusively pitch The state of baseball-specific training and the importance of understanding adaptations The role of weighted balls and how they should be incorporated in a program Eric’s principles for developing better baseball-specific training   Related Content: Eric Cressey on Building the Bulletproof Baseball Shoulder Eric Cressey on Baseball Development, Daily Schedules, and the Myth of “Balance”   Connect with Eric: Eric Cressey Website Book: Maximum Strength: Get Your Strongest Body in 16 Weeks with Ultimate Weight-Training Program by Eric Cressey Book: The High Performance Handbook by Eric Cressey Elite Baseball Development Podcast Cressey Sports Performance on Facebook Eric Cressey on LinkedIn Eric Cressey on Instagram Eric Cressey on Twitter Eric Cressey on YouTube Upcoming CSP Business Mentorship   IFAST University is BACK! Are You In? Are you ready to take your coaching and training career to the next level? You need to find great mentors to guide you along your journey – to help you find the blind spots in your own training programs and improve your skills as a coach. But… mentorship can be expensive, and unfortunately, it’s not always feasible for some budgets. That’s why Bill Hartman and I developed IFAST University, an online curriculum and mentorship program designed exclusively for fitness trainers, coaches, and rehab professionals. We want to help every trainer and coach in the industry improve their training techniques and write better training programs for their clients. By becoming a member of IFAST University, you’ll receive: Hundreds of hours of members-only exclusive content, Monthly updates and tips to help you improve your skills and programs, Group Q&A sessions to answer your specific questions, and Access to our Facebook group, where you can learn from other dedicated professionals such as yourself This blend of content and Q&A is specifically designed to help make YOU the best fitness trainer you can be. To learn more or to join IFAST University now, visit https://ifastuniversity.com/   Subscribe, Rate & Share! Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Eric Cressey on the Evolution of Baseball-Specific Training appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Two-time All-American javelin thrower Scott Fuchs didn’t start his athletic career in track and field. Nope, Scott started off in baseball, which took over his life when he was 13 years old. Knowing that he could play at the collegiate level, Scott went on to play for a Division III institution right out of high school. However, he soon found himself incapable of throwing strikes. One overthrow after another, Scott kept losing his command. But instead of giving up his love of sport, Scott tried his hand and found his place in the javelin throw. Scott became the third All-American in Beloit College’s track-and-field history, finishing with a career-best throw of 198-2ft (60.41m). He then went on to compete in seven meets for Iowa State University, qualify for NCAA Outdoor Championships, and earn his Second Team All-America honors in the javelin throw. With a personal record of 236-7ft (72.12m), Scott recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the javelin, finishing 18th with 212-10ft (64.89m). In addition to training and competing, Scott pursues his passion for the javelin by sharing the stories of other javelin throwers through his podcast, Through the Point. Scott joins me today to discuss what it takes to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the javelin. He discusses the various body types among javelin throwers and explains why elite throwers have a blend between high-force outputs and elasticity. He shares his unique training methods and describes how they may be improving his standing. He also highlights the importance of setting KPIs that matter, and why there’s probably more to it than just building a bigger bench-press or squat, and shares his thoughts on the role of strength training in the javelin throw.   When you’re an elite thrower, it’s risky to make a lot of technical and physical changes. Focus on maintenance, improvement, and injury prevention. – Scott Fuchs   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Scott’s background and how he transitioned from baseball to the javelin What it takes to invest in your athletic career and take it to the next level How Scott’s physical preparation and competition changed when he moved to the javelin The different aspects of a javelin throw The physical traits of the ideal javelin thrower Tools and training that made Scott throw from 197 to 237ft The use of in-range isometrics in the javelin and the need to have stability and control The value of having the right KPIs and how they can impact performance Why javelin throwers need to find the sweet spot between high force output and elasticity The similarities and differences between cricket bowling and the javelin The role strength training plays in performance and injury prevention Focusing on NCAA, making it to the Olympic trials, and Scott’s career highlights in the javelin throw   Related Content: Bill Miller on Tracking, Competition, and Developing Rotational Power Steffan Jones on Speed, Power, and Stiffness in Cricket Bowling   Connect with Scott: Through the Point Through the Point Podcast Through the Point Podcast on Instagram Scott Fuchs on Instagram   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 massive certification course 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 September 2021. 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 with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Scott Fuchs on Body Types, Training and KPIs for Throwing the Javelin appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Whether you’re new to the game or a savvy veteran, many coaches struggle with designing programs for their clients and athletes. While some feel challenged because they don’t understand the fundamentals of program design, others may feel hindered by a lack of design systems and principles. And trust me, I know…because I struggled too when I was getting started! Creating a program that meets what clients want to achieve with what they need to reach their goals felt like a real challenge, but, as time went on, my process of designing programs has evolved and improved. So in this episode, I give a broad view of how I design programs for athletes and clients. I discuss the importance of committing to improvement and having the right mindset for program design. I reveal the five critical areas I prioritize when designing programs, and describe how my process for writing training programs has changed over time. I also underscore the role of assessing your clients, creating a vision with them, and highlight the value of remaining flexible when writing and executing a training program.   Don’t become a slave to your program. Be malleable. Be flexible. Do whatever is in the best interest of your clients and athletes, and you will be successful. – Mike Robertson   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Having the right mindset in coaching, training, and designing a program Committing to writing your best program The importance of creating an assessment process for new athletes and clients How focusing on table tests lost us clients and how we evolved our assessment process at iFAST Evaluating a client’s fitness or athletic goals and the three big markers of an assessment process Crafting a vision with your clients and athletes How drafting your program design with pen and paper can gear you toward success Planning movements and why improving movement quality is the first thing you should consider Determining activities that will help clients or athletes achieve their movement goals Never giving up your superpower as a coach or trainer Structuring movements for your program and how time under tension sets the stage for sets and reps   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 massive certification course 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 September 2021. 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 with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Big Picture Program Design appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Becoming NBA agents wasn’t part of Jelani Floyd and Dan Poneman’s plan…like many people, they wanted to play for the NBA as kids. While Dan was in high school a website in high school where he ranked top basketball players in the state. He later found his niche in athletics not as a player, but as a writer. From a writer, he became a scout and—15 years later—an agent. Jelani, an Arthur Ashe National Sports Scholar, played professional basketball in Europe after becoming a stand-out student-athlete for Brown University and UC Davis. He always wanted to become an attorney and later earned his Juris Doctor degree at Illinois Tech’s Chicago-Kent College of Law. While studying to become an attorney, Jelani cultivated his relationships in basketball and reconnected with Dan. They later became co-founders of Beyond Athlete Management, a full-service sports agency. Dedicated to ensuring the success of their clients at the highest level, Beyond Athlete Management seeks to diverge from the archaic practices of the athlete management industry and raise the standard of sports representation. Jelani and Dan join me today to discuss the life of an NBA agent and what it takes to become one. They share how they became interested in athletics, and their journey to starting Beyond Athlete Management. They reveal the necessary steps to become a licensed NBA agent, and the business tasks involved in running an athlete management firm. And they also describe their process for recruiting athletes into their firm, and highlight why being an NBA agent is more than just being a business advisor for athletes.   Being an agent—especially for young athletes—is not just being a business advisor; you’re also a life advisor. – Dan Poneman   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Dan and Jelani’s backstory and what led them to the world of athlete management How Dan and Jelani decided to become NBA agents How to be a licensed or certified NBA agent Why networking and cultivating relationships in the athlete management industry is more important than getting a certification What makes the Beyond Athlete Management recruitment process stand out from other sports agencies Why being an agent for young athletes involves more than just being a career advisor What a typical workday looks like for an NBA agent The different back-end tasks related to working as an NBA agent Dan and Jelani’s favorite time of the year as NBA agents The parallels between working as a coach and an NBA agent Leading by example and how they educate young athletes on fiscal responsibility What the NIL is and what the system can do for college athletes   Connect with Beyond Athlete Management: Beyond Athlete Management Beyond Athlete Management on LinkedIn Beyond Athlete Management on Instagram Beyond Athlete Management on Twitter Beyond Athlete Management on YouTube   Connect with Jelani: Jelani Floyd on LinkedIn Jelani Floyd on Instagram Jelani Floyd on Twitter   Connect with Dan: Dan Poneman on LinkedIn Dan Poneman on Instagram Dan Poneman on Twitter   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 September 2021. 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 with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Jelani Floyd and Dan Poneman on the Life of an NBA Agent appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.

Ben Eisenmenger’s passion for training and physical preparation began early in his life, when he started doing workouts from muscle magazines in his basement using his father’s weights. Much of his inspiration came from his father, who lifted weights despite having cerebral palsy. Ben eventually pursued wellness and training full-time after college and trained for bodybuilding, hardstyle kettlebell, and strongman. He won Kentucky’s Strongest Man in 2018 at 105kg, West Virginia’s Strongest Man in 2020 at 125kg, and recently placed first in the U.S. Strongman National Championship in the middleweight division. A dedicated father and husband, Ben considers spending time with his family an important aspect of his life while he trains himself and others in his gym, Be Strong KY. Ben joins me today to discuss strongman competitions, high-quality training, and life. He explains how he got started, how he does his training splits, and the specifics of strongman lifting, such as postural demands. He underscores the importance of training smart and avoiding burnout and the value of training at sub-max levels before a competition. Ben also highlights how he finds the balance between training and competing at a high level and spending time with family and loved ones.   Be 100% engaged at every moment during the training process, the build-up, and the competition day. That’s the way to win. – Ben Eisenmenger   This week on the Physical Preparation Podcast: Ben’s backstory and what led him to the world of physical preparation His introduction to coaching people and how his father inspired him to lift weights Ben’s first strongman competition and how he transitioned to coaching professionally The value of education and competition How to get started on strongman lifting Basic tools and equipment to get started with strongman lifting Postural and movement demands unique to strongman training and competition What a typical strongman training program looks like The importance of cultivating mental resilience when training for a strongman competition Identifying the needs of a strongman event and the difference between general and specific training Managing the weeks and days leading up to a strongman competition to ensure you’re in peak condition How to stay motivated, disciplined, and balance high-quality training with family time   Connect with Ben: Be Strong KY Be Strong KY on Facebook Be Strong KY on Instagram Be Strong KY on Twitter Be Strong KY on YouTube Email: ben@bestrongky.com   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 massive certification course 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 September 2021. 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 with Mike Robertson – your one-stop-shop for fitness trainers, coaches, and athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website. And last but not least, please don’t forget to share your favorite episodes with your friends on social media. Thank you! The post Ben Eisenmenger on Strongman Training, Competition and Life appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.