#291 Training Programming for General Population with George Pagan

7 snips

Mar 6, 2026

George Pagan, personal trainer and founder of Fit Elite Nation and the Nexus education directory, shares a practical, non-dogmatic take on training. He discusses rep ranges as a spectrum, principles-first programming, assessments and tempo work, plus strategies for breaking plateaus and balancing rest, splits, and ongoing coach education.

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ADVICE

Use Simple Movements For First Assessments

Assess new clients by asking questions and observing simple movements without equipment.
George uses jumping jacks and bodyweight squats to judge proprioception, motor planning, and whether full tutorials are necessary.

ADVICE

Slow Down To Bust Plateaus

Slow down technique to break plateaus and reveal compensations.
George has clients slow reps to spot lateral shifts or coordination losses that reduce strength and hypertrophy potential.

ADVICE

Use Tempo To Improve Focus And Quality

Prescribe tempo for most exercises to keep clients present and prevent rushing.
George counts tempo in-person and prescribes it online so clients maintain quality under fatigue and distractions.

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Welcome to another insightful episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! Today, host Lisa Franz is joined by George Pagan, an established personal trainer and the visionary behind Fit Elite Nation and the Nexus education directory for coaches. With over a decade of experience, George Pagan brings a refreshingly non-dogmatic, accessible approach to fitness—helping both beginners and seasoned clients break through plateaus and rediscover their physical potential.

In this episode, George Pagan gets candid about his journey from recovering high school athlete to self-employed coach, shares how injury shaped his perspective, and discusses the ever-evolving world of exercise science. If you’re a gym-goer, coach, or fitness business owner, you’ll find practical programming advice, mindset tools for overcoming barriers, and valuable career insights, plus, hear all about Nexus, George Pagan’s free, one-stop hub for live and online continuing education.

Join us for actionable tips, personal anecdotes, and empowering strategies to make fitness accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for everyone!

Timestamp Overview:

[00:00] - Welcome & Episode Preview

[00:36] - Making Fitness Accessible & Non-Dogmatic Training Philosophy

[01:20] - George Pagan’s Background: From Athlete to Coach

[02:58] - Early Career, Work Experience, and Starting Fit Elite Nation [04:03] - What Is Fit Elite Nation? Niche, Clientele & Approach

[05:16] - Exercise Science Education: Takeaways & Real-World Application

[08:47] - Rep Ranges, Programming Myths & What University Didn’t Teach

[10:20] - Principles-First Programming & Meeting Clients Where They Are

[12:23] - Client Assessments: Movement Quality & Coaching Cues

[14:36] - Plateau-Busting Strategies: The Power of Slowing Down

[15:30] - How to Use Tempo and Rest in Programming

[18:36] - Class vs. Individual Approaches & Rest as a Tool

[19:23] - Preferred Training Splits for Clients & Self

[21:05] - Ongoing Education: The Value of Live Events & Feedback

[23:41] - Coaching Lessons: Asking for Feedback & The Kitesurfing Story

[27:16] - Adapting Coaching Styles: Tools for Every Client

[29:23] - Learning from Other Specialties (e.g., Pre/Postnatal, Therapy)

[30:27] - Introducing Nexus: A Free Directory for Trainers’ Education

[32:39] - George Pagan’s Current Training & Goals

[34:19] - Building a Hybrid Training Model & Favorite Clients

[35:56] - Personal Routines: Reading, Journaling & Self-Development

Connect with George Pagan:

Instagram: @fiteleitenation
website: https://fitletes.com/

Connect, Share & Subscribe: For more inspiring conversations and up-to-date fitness wisdom, subscribe to the Nutrition and Life podcast and follow us on social media! Share your favorite takeaway from today’s episode and tag us on Instagram @nutritioncoachingandlife. You can also find more show notes, practical tips, and resources on our website at https://nutritioncoachingandlife.com/.

Want more? Be sure to browse the Nexus for your next live event or course, and get in touch with George or Lisa for coaching and collaboration opportunities.