The Strength Coach Podcast

Stop guessing about your adult clients fitness and start prioritizing what actually matters for longevity. In this episode, legendary coach Mike Boyle breaks down why VO2 Max training is no longer optional and how to integrate it without sacrificing strength gains. It is time to move past the performative antics and focus on the actual science of health span.Brought to you by PerformBetter.comHead over to their website to get 20 percent off Mini-bands and Superbad’s and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence.We dive deep into the essential shift toward cardiovascular health for the aging population. Coach Boyle explains how to use Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) to prescribe precise intervals that actually move the needle on fitness. We also tackle the technical side of movement, specifically why the industry might be over-complicating regressions like the half-kneeling position when standing might actually be the better starting point for most adults.The conversation shifts to the eternal debate of the trap bar deadlift versus the squat. Is it just semantics, or does the distinction change how we check the bilateral strength box? Finally, we address the rise of performative coaching culture in collegiate sports. From removing light dumbbells to choreographed game day lifts, Boyle pulls no punches on why these antics are turning strength coaches into court jesters and what professional training should really look like.Chapters0:00 Intro and Perform Better Updates 3:15 Training Adult Clients for Longevity 7:45 VO2 Max and Cardiovascular Health 11:20 Programming Intervals with MAS 15:00 The Reality of the Norwegian 4x4 9:15 Half-Kneeling vs Standing Power Training 22:45 Defining the Deadlift and Trap Bar Nuance 26:30 The Problem with Performative Coaching 29:15 Final Thoughts and Hockey TalkIf you want to elevate your coaching game and stay ahead of industry trends, make sure to visit StrengthCoach.com for more expert insights and resources. Subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Strength Coach Podcast.Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-bookBook a free 10-minute intro call HEREhttps://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstormFollow BFU on Instagram HEREhttps://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

Mark Fisher, founder of Mark Fisher Fitness and co-founder of Business for Unicorns, is an experienced gym owner and consultant. He explores how AI can save hours, generate marketing first drafts, and act as a pocket expert for finances and paperwork. He contrasts AI with simple automations, stresses systems and in-person learning, and explains why small weekly gains compound into major annual advantages.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OR A LEADER IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY? In this episode of The Strength Coach Podcast, legendary coach Mike Boyle joins Anthony Renna to dive deep into why being evidence-based might be holding you back and why Zone 2 Cardio is currently the most overrated trend online. We explore the balance between scientific research and real-world coaching experience to help you become a better trainer, therapist, or business owner.Brought to you by PerformBetter.comHead over to their website to get 20 percent off PB Extreme Soft Toss Med Balls and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence. Coach Boyle shares his take on the limitations of the evidence-based crowd and explains why innovation often happens in the gym long before the studies are published. We also discuss the practical use of isometrics and how a simple belt strap can transform your summer programming for athletes and general population clients alike. Plus, Mark Fisher from Business for Unicorns joins us to talk about marketing for gym owners who are struggling with stalled growth.KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:-Why Zone 2 is the overrated darling of the internet-The difference between being evidence-based and being a follower-Marketing strategies for gym owners and the importance of a time audit-Programming isometrics using the Zero RM ISO belt strap- News on the MBSC Spring Seminar and hockey performance insightsWant to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):**Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE- (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book)**Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm)**Follow BFU on Instagram HERE (https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/)**Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing)CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro and Perform Better Updates3:20 Fitness Business Power Play: Stalled Growth7:15 MBSC Spring Seminar and BU Hockey Talk11:45 Why Zone 2 Cardio is the Darling of the Internet16:00 The Truth About Being Evidence-Based21:30 Innovation vs Following the Research26:10 Rethinking Squats and Unilateral Training30:00 How to Properly Read and Filter Research34:20 Using the Zero RM ISO Belt Strap37:45 Programming Yielding and Overcoming Isometrics39:58 ConclusionWant More Coaching Insights? Check out STRENGTHCOACH.COM and MBSC.TV for a 7-day free trial. Join the community and take your coaching to the next level with resources from the top experts in the industry.Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes of The Strength Coach Podcast! 

Justin Kegley, performance coach and founder of Movement Fitness, specializes in training female athletes to boost performance and cut injury risk. He breaks down the alarming ACL trend and a huge training gap between girls and boys. Conversation hits neuromuscular training, single-leg work, barefoot progressions, speed and change-of-direction mechanics, and how parents and coaches shape long-term development.

Episode 433 of the Strength Coach Podcast, "Train Like an Olympian: Consistency is Key!" is out. This episode dives into the importance of year-round training programs for elite athletes, featuring insights from Coach Mike Boyle and host Anthony Renna. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or fitness enthusiast, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and fascinating stories from the world of Olympic and professional sports.Brought to you by Perform Better, your go-to for functional training and rehab equipment. Don’t miss their current deals on foam rollers and bundles!Check out Perform Better⁠ (https://www.performbetter.com) for info about the upcoming Functional Training Summits.**Highlights of the episode:**-  The evolution of training for Olympic athletes, especially in women's hockey before and after the PWHL launch.-  How consistency in training has been the foundation for athletes like Angela Ruggiero and Hilary Knight.- Practical tips for creating effective training programs that balance accountability and year-round conditioning.-  The role of on-ice and off-ice testing in athlete development.-  Insights on lactate workouts, their relevance beyond track athletes, and how to adapt them for team sports.-  A fun look at how the women's hockey game has evolved globally, with increased competition and talent.We also dive into fitness business tips with Mark Fisher, who shares strategies for boosting sales without being pushy. Plus, learn how to help clients connect with their deeper fitness goals to achieve long-term success!Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):**Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE- (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book)**Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm)**Follow BFU on Instagram HERE (https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/)**Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing)----------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks for tuning in! Hit that play button to discover how training like an Olympian starts with consistency and ends with extraordinary results. CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro02:38 - Mark Fisher Insights07:08 - Coach Boyle Techniques09:54 - Training Olympians Effectively12:44 - Consistency in Training Importance14:44 - Professional Women's Hockey Growth16:38 - Evolving Game Strategies18:58 - Future of Women's Hockey Development21:00 - Lactate Workouts- 23 Second Drill Overview25:40 - Aerodyne Sprints Benefits29:06 - Targeting Lower Abs Exercises33:09 - Recovery Position Techniques

Mark Fisher, a fitness business strategist sharing lead-generation tactics without paid ads. Mike Boyle, veteran S&C coach and author known for practical methods. They debate anti-rotation core work and where rotary power comes from. They probe glute activation methods and toe wedge ideas. They compare hill sprints to sled sprints. They clarify exercise naming and why consistent terminology matters.

Dr. Haley Perlus, a sport and exercise psychologist and author of 'Personal Podium,' shares her expertise on optimizing mindset for peak performance. She discusses transforming anxiety into energizing focus, overcoming mental blocks, and changing perceptions of pressure as an opportunity to excel. With insights from legendary moments in sports, she emphasizes the importance of self-awareness over tech devices, offers practical strategies for injured athletes, and redefines mental toughness as sustainable discipline.

Mike Boyle, a veteran strength coach known for training elite athletes, dives into the complexities of lifting heavy weights, particularly for older adults and women. He discusses how social media fuels misunderstandings and backlash around heavy lifting and lets us peek behind the curtain of injury statistics and research reliability. Boyle emphasizes the importance of context in training and shares his thoughts on safe programming. Tune in for a fresh perspective on strength training and the evolving landscape of fitness communication.

Welcome to Episode 429 of the Strength Coach Podcast.  Host Anthony Renna chats with Coach Mike Boyle about ithe year in review, his thoughts on the future in the fitness business, lifting heavy with adults & the Goldilocks Affect for Injuries as it relates to Training Loads and Sprinting Volume. Highlights of the episode include:- We talk about any changes from last year or even the year before, and what has “stuck”- Expanding on weighted sprints- how, why & when- Thoughts about what’s coming in fitness, including people taking control of their own health- We revisited the Adults lifting Heavy posts he has on Instagram- How to use the Goldilocks principle to “get things just right” in programming- Goal setting tips from Business for Unicorn’s Mark Fisher.  He lays out his framework for setting goals and you can get his full framework free by emailing him at Mark@BusinessforUnicorns.com.Brought to you by Perform Better, the experts in functional training and rehabilitation, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and thought-provoking discussions to help you build a thriving gym and community.Perform Better, your go-to for functional training and rehab equipment. Check out Perform Better⁠ (https://www.performbetter.com).----------------------------------------------------------------------Get Mark’s complete framework for Goal Setting- email him at Mark@BusinessforUnicorns.comWant to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):**Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE- (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book)**Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm)**Follow BFU on Instagram HERE (https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/)**Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing)----------------------------------------------------------------------Discover new ways to inspire and educate your clients while creating a safer and more effective training environment. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments and tune in for more episodes! Thanks for listening!

In Episode 428 of the Strength Coach Podcast, host Anthony Renna chats with Scott Leech, Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Rhode Island, to explore game-changing strategies for coaches, trainers, and athletes. The focus is on High School but Episode 428 is for everyone, packed with insights to help you rethink your approach to training and athlete development.Highlights of the episode:- Scott talks about why prioritizing speed, power, and jump training is replacing outdated max-effort lifts.- A chat on programming smarter workouts and what strength coaches should subtract for better results.- Insights on developing high school strength coaching programs with limited resources.- How contact prep programs improve athlete confidence and safety in off-season training.- Exploring bilateral vs. unilateral work, and why Olympic lifts might not be essential for everyone.- A special discussion on IU football’s shortened practice approach and its impact on performance.- Brought to you by Perform Better, offering 20% off bands and tubing products—check them out today at www.PerformBetter.com!We also dive into how Scott’s Gridiron Warrior platform is helping coaches elevate their training systems, plus tips for leveraging education and creativity to optimize training without breaking the bank.Perform Better, your go-to for functional training and rehab equipment. Check out Perform Better⁠ (https://www.performbetter.com) for their latest sale- 20% off bands and tubing products!Thanks for listening! Engage with this episode and get ready to rethink strength training for smarter, more effective results.----------------------------------------------------------------------Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):**Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE- (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book)**Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm)**Follow BFU on Instagram HERE (https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/)**Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing)----------------------------------------------------------------------CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro03:20 - Maximizing the Member Experience, with Naamly08 :20- Scott Leech interview10:25- What’s Wrong with High School S&C?14:37 - Importance of Subtraction in Training17:10 - Strength Coaches' Essential Practices19:31 - Coaching High School Coaches Effectively23:10 - Contact Preparation Techniques27:33 - Less is More Philosophy in Training31:58 - Educating High School Coaches37:15 - Benefits of Single Leg Training40:38 - Speed and Explosiveness vs. Heavy Lifting42:40 - Incorporating Olympic Lifts45:18 - Financial Success as a Strength Coach50:39 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome54:00 - Gridiron Warrior Insiders Insights