As a toddler, you might have memories of taking your first steps. If not, your family likely has pictures or videos of the event. It's a pretty big deal at first, and then it becomes routine. While it might be second nature to many of us, the benefits go far beyond using it as a normal activity of daily living. Former race walk champion, registered kinesiologist and clinical exercise physiologist Sarah Zahab knows the important role walking can play in our lives. In this episode, the author of W...
Sep 19, 2025•26 min•Ep. 66
Injuries happen. Some are preventable while others might occur regardless of how much we prepare. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss the difference between acute and chronic injuries, why injuries occur, and what we can do to prevent or reduce the risk. Additional Resources Rock Solid Resilience https://ecs.page.link/De8S9 Training and Conditioning Young Athletes, Second Edition https://ecs.page.link/H7QnY Sport Injury Prevention Anatomy https://ecs.page...
Sep 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 65
Strength, power, and maybe even hypertrophy. We train them all, and each for our own valid reasons. But what about balance and stability? Those two components are often taken for granted but they are vital in both sport and activities of daily living. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss what it means to train for balance and stability, and why it is important. Additional Resources High Performance Training for Sports Developing the Core, Second Edition Ab...
Sep 05, 2025•30 min•Ep. 64
When you were a kid, playing sports was everything. You trained, practiced, and strived to make that game-winning shot, goal, or drive in that decisive run. As you progress in life, some things change, but the desire to compete and feel athletic shouldn't be on the list. In this episode, Dr. Matthew Ibrahim discusses how to never stop training like a pro. Learn more in his book, Train Like a Pro: Programming to Develop Your Inner Athlete. Train Like a Pro: Programming to Develop Your Inner Athle...
Aug 29, 2025•28 min•Ep. 63
Mike Boyle's name is known across the world among the most successful strength and conditioning coaches. From his time working at Boston University to duties with the Boston Bruins and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, to founding Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in 1996, he has found the most successful strategies and coaching methods in the industry. He joined Aaron Patterson and Human Kinetics for an exclusive interview about his career journey, what he has learned over the years,...
Aug 22, 2025•31 min•Ep. 62
The Rubber Band Method has a cool name, but what is it, and how does it work? In this episode, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Massage Therapist Kiara Armstrong explains what the Rubber Band Method is, why she developed it, and how it works. She dives into her journey in becoming a yoga teacher, and talks about her book, Hands-On Yoga Assists. Hands-On Yoga Assists https://ecs.page.link/CsTSJ Kiara Armstrong, e-RYT 500, CMT, YACEP Kiara Armstrong first started practicing yoga i...
Aug 15, 2025•35 min•Ep. 60
"How much can you bench, bro?" Really, how much can you bench? How much can you squat? And what does it all mean? In this episode, Tim Suchomel, author of Science and Development of Muscular Strength, defines strength and discusses the various measures of strength. What is the difference between absolute strength and relative strength? What about concentric and eccentric strength? Dr. Suchomel breaks down why it is important to define strength and distinguish between the various measures. He als...
Aug 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 61
You train consistently and put in the effort you need to succeed. But are you training appropriately for your sport or intended goal? In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson breaks down the three energy systems our bodies use to produce the energy needed for specific activities. Understanding the difference between the three will help you better prepare success in your sport. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational co...
Aug 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 59
The training and fitness world focuses on the importance of strength, and with good reason. It is essential to most things we do daily. But what about power? Power is necessary for many things we take for granted, especially as we age. These are things like walking up stairs and opening or closing a car door. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson continue their series, Training for Performance and Longevity, by discussing the importance of training for power whethe...
Jul 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 58
Strength training is the basis for all goals related to performance and longevity. Without a strong foundation, it will be much more challenging to realize other goals like speed, endurance, power, and stability. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron and Frank discuss the value of building a strong foundation and how that relates to performance and longevity goals. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the a...
Jul 18, 2025•42 min•Ep. 57
Regardless of if you are an athlete training for improved performance or realize the benefits of training to age gracefully, setting goals for your journey will help you stay on track. In this second episode of the series, Training for Performance and Longevity, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson explain not only how to set goals, but the importance of setting the right type of goals to set yourself up for success. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterso...
Jul 11, 2025•35 min•Ep. 56
Whether you are training for performance or longevity, there are certain factors you should consider when planning your journey. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson introduce a series of upcoming episodes discussing a variety of topics including goal setting, strength, power development, and more, the importance of each topic as it relates to training for either performance or longevity, and the crossover between both goals. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC,...
Jul 04, 2025•30 min•Ep. 55
Did you know that 30.7 percent of adults are considered overweight and 42 percent have obesity? Roughly 48 percent of men and 61 percent of women in the United States have reported they desire to lose weight. But what is the best exercise method to use when training for fat loss? In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson, M.S., discusses training for fat loss and explores what the research says about the topic. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CTPS, CSAC Aaron Patterson provi...
Jun 27, 2025•16 min•Ep. 54
Good racing doesn't just happen. It's a skill that must be honed with training and hard work. In this episode, former Olympic marathoner and current elite running coach of Team New Balance Boston, Mark Coogan, along with Runner's World contributing writer and author Scott Douglas discuss what it takes to run your best race, how to stay healthy both physically and mentally, and have a successful running career. Mark and Scott are the co-authors of Personal Best Running. Personal Best Running: Coa...
Jun 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 53
There is a general misconception on what exactly metabolic training is and what benefits can be gained from performing metabolic training. Is it only for fat loss? Can an individual gain muscle while doing metabolic training? In this episode, trainers and fitness professionals, John Graham and Michael Barnes, answered those questions and more. Learn what metabolic training is, who can use it, and how to implement metabolic training into your workouts regardless of your specific goals. Metabolic ...
Jun 13, 2025•37 min•Ep. 52
With so many tools at our disposal to improve fitness, it should be easy to get in a great workout. But what do you do if that equipment isn't available? In this episode, veteran personal trainer Brad Kolowich, Jr. breaks down how to train with the most powerful tool we have available at all times: your own bodyweight. Brad discusses why he chose personal training as a career, the many benefits of bodyweight training, and his experience training top athletes and celebrities like WWE's Cody Rhode...
Jun 06, 2025•34 min•Ep. 51
Somewhere in the corner of your gym is the "Land of Misfit Toys" that seems to be forgotten. The collection sparked interest from certified trainers David Otey and Joe Drake, and they realized there was a lot they could do with the funny-looking barbell holder known as the landmine. After some exploration, they decided to share their knowledge and experience with others, ultimately resulting in the Complete Guide to Landmine Training. In this episode, David and Joe discuss their experience using...
May 30, 2025•31 min•Ep. 48
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and unfortunately mental illness impacts all of us, either directly or indirectly. One in five adults and one in six kids have a mental health condition, and 50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14. In this episode, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer and Mental Performance Consultant Aaron Patterson and NASM Certified Personal Trainer Frank Eyeson discuss mental health and how exercise can improve symptoms related to anxiety and depression. A...
May 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 50
We have been told the benefits of exercise and physical activity, but let's be honest, life sometimes gets in the way of our plans. Even with good intentions, you might find that your time is limited. In this episode, we introduce the newest member of the Human Kinetics team, Frank Eyeson, as he joins NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer Aaron Patterson to discuss the realities of busy schedules and the importance of staying on task. Learn how Aaron and Frank find ways to stay active and train despit...
May 16, 2025•28 min•Ep. 49
We are always looking for the best way to train. For athletes, it can seem overwhelming. What is the best way to train for strength, power, and build capacity? The field is continually evolving, but one way to see the response you need is contrast training. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and sport performance coach Aaron Patterson explains what contrast training is, how you can benefit from this type of training, and how to implement it into your programming. Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA...
May 09, 2025•14 min•Ep. 47
Bill Foran has had an accomplished career. As a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, he worked his way up from the high school level, to the collegiate ranks, and eventually was hired on as the first strength and conditioning coach of the Miami Heat. In this episode, Coach Foran discusses his career, strength training for basketball players, and NBCSA's Complete Conditioning for Basketball. Complete Conditioning for Basketball https://ecs.page.link/nikbe Bill Foran, MS, CSCS, RSC...
May 02, 2025•31 min•Ep. 46
The first step in building anything is to start with a solid foundation. The body is no different. Setting yourself up for long-term success means building a foundation through a safe and effective strength training program. In this episode, strength coach and athletic trainer John Flagg explains the importance of finding the right program for your fitness level and goals, how to reduce injury risk, and how to train around injuries when they occur. He detailed all of this in his book, Foundation...
Apr 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 45
Bodybuilding is often described as an art, but speak to any competitive bodybuilder and you'll quickly learn that the true artistry lies in the training and preparation. In this episode, Dr. Mike Israetel and Dr. Christle Guevarra discussed the intricacies of bodybuilding and training for hypertrophy. As Dr. Mike said in the interview, it is straight forward but it's not always easy. Learn more in their co-authored book (with Jared Feather), Bodybuilding Anatomy. Bodybuilding Anatomy https://ecs...
Apr 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 44
Did you know that approximately 90 percent of high school student-athletes report sustaining an injury while participating in sports? Injuries happen at all levels, and sometimes when we least expect it. Dr. Robb Rehberg has dedicated his career in athletic training and sports medicine to helping athletes prevent injuries and providing the best possible care when they occur. As the Senior Medical Advisor and Director of Game Day Medical Operations for the National Football League (NFL), Dr. Rehb...
Apr 11, 2025•34 min•Ep. 43
Injuries, fatigue, soreness and pain are things we all experience. But what do you do when they occur? Do you stop all physical activity, or do you continue training? In this episode, physical therapist and strength coach Dan Pope and certified exercise physiologist Dean Somerset use their decades of experience in helping athletes return to play pain free to discuss why injuries happen, how to train through them, and how to use those methods to train for longevity. Dan and Dean are the co-author...
Apr 04, 2025•37 min•Ep. 42
Caffeine consumption in the United States has been on the rise over the last decade. On average, adults consume 135mg of caffeine per day. Depending on your desire (or need) for a daily boost, that might seem low. But consumption doesn't stop there. Using caffeine for performance dates back to the early 1900s, but how effective is it? To answer that question and more, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson dives into the research and history of the popular supplement to explain how caffeine work...
Mar 28, 2025•19 min•Ep. 41
As coaches, we know that injuries happen. Not all injuries can be prevented, but the risk of some can be reduced. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and sport performance coach Aaron Patterson discusses how injuries happen, how to limit the risk, and how managing your workload could make a huge impact on your overall performance. Aaron Patterson, NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, streng...
Mar 21, 2025•18 min•Ep. 40
Legendary track and field coach Boo Schexnayder has had an accomplished career spanning over 40 years, perhaps most notably coaching for Team USA and his 18-year tenure at Louisiana State University. In this episode, coach Schexnayder talks about speed development, coaching jumps, rehabbing injuries, and his experiences as a coach and consultant. Schexnayder was a contributor to the recently released NSCA's Developing Speed, Second Edition. NSCA's Developing Speed https://ecs.page.link/WmUag Boo...
Mar 14, 2025•35 min•Ep. 39
The idea of "working out" excites some people and is daunting to others. In this episode, personal trainer, educator, and author Pete McCall discusses the importance of staying active and integrating fitness into your lifestyle. Add in recovery, and you now have a recipe to longevity. Pete also talks about his journey as a fitness professional, keeping himself in shape and game ready, and the benefits of living in southern California. Learn more in his trilogy of resources with Human Kinetics. S...
Mar 07, 2025•31 min•Ep. 38
You are training hard, but are you training for your specific goals? The concept of interference isn't new. It actually dates back over 40 years, and it could be a reason you aren't improving in the areas you need most in order to compete at a high level. In this episode, we explore interference and the need for a balanced training program. Aaron Patterson Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, a...
Feb 28, 2025•12 min•Ep. 37
