Ltb Podcast

Are you ready to break free from your 9-to-5 job and turn your passion for fitness into a career as a personal trainer? Making the transition can be a daunting journey, but fear not! You're not alone. Many have successfully completed the switch before you, and you can too.  In this inspiring episode, Stuart sits down with Harriet Olliffe, who shares her journey from teaching classes in a local town hall to owning a gym. Together, they explore the challenges of building a career in fitness, including navigating the ups and downs, the importance of hard work, and the value of being risk averse.  Through their discussion, you'll gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in the industry and why the effort is ultimately worth it. So tune in now to learn from Harriet's experiences and discover how to pursue a fulfilling career doing what you love as a personal trainer.    Timestamps 01:46- Harriet's career before personal training  05:35-Running classes at the local town hall.  10:39- What wou

The guys from Lift the Bar are back in full force for another Q&A. Join Stuart, Gregg, and Alex for this week’s episode of the LTB podcast as they dive into a variety of topics that will make your life as a personal trainer much easier.   You can expect to learn whether you need to periodise programmes for the general population, how to determine which experts to trust, and how you can organise your time better. Spoiler Alert: Maybe you need a social media blocker! Also, on this week’s episode, Gregg condemns himself to a life without sleep, Alex considers buying a Nokia 3310 and Stuart learns a new word.      Timestamps   02:28- Time Management: How to be more efficient and organised.  06:22- Should everyone “time block”?  08:40- Problems with Task Switching and social media.  09:59- Using website blockers to your advantage.  19:58- How can we know which experts to trust?  28:11- Can you trust an expert to recommend you another?!  32:32- Should PT’s periodise programs for the gener

    Effective communication is vital for personal trainers, so we've invited returning guest Cathy MacDonald from The Art of Communication to join Stuart on today's episode. Together, they explore scenarios PTs encounter in the gym and share tangible actions to make your communication more effective. You'll discover how to discuss money without feeling awkward, steer people away from dangerous activities without making them defensive, and why you shouldn’t give Stuart an axe.  Tune in to sharpen your communication skills and become a more effective personal trainer.    Timestamps  01:28 How to communicate with new gym members.  07:37 The Importance of learning about people  09:23 Core Emotional Concerns  13:49 How to communicate with a gym member who is at risk of injury.  21:06 The value of compliments   24:46 How to offer your services without being salesy  31:35 How to talk about your prices   33:57 How to respond if someone asks for a discount  38:57 How to communicate a price in

  Are you struggling to differentiate yourself from other personal trainers on social media? With so many others offering similar services, it can be challenging to stand out and attract potential clients. After all, why would they pick your “121 sessions, personalised plans and monthly reviews” over anyone else's?!   But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.   In this episode, Stuart is joined by Jonathan Goodman, a renowned business coach with over 15 years of experience in the personal training industry. As the founder of many successful ventures such as the Personal Trainer Development Centre, QuickCoach, Online Trainer Mentorship and author of 11 books, Jonathan shares his expertise on all things business. Expect to learn about the impact of discounts on your business, how to craft a compelling brand message that resonates with your audience, and why getting more followers is probably a waste of time.    Timestamps:  04:44- Post 1: Will discounts ruin your business?  07:48- The best and wors

PT: “Okay, just before we start, I need to check if you have any medical conditions?”  Client: “Okay, yes…I’ve got *insert complicated Latin sounding word*”.   PT: “Umm… so we might need to check with your GP before we start training.”  Most personal trainers have been there before, and let’s be honest, it’s better to be safe than sorry! But do you always need to ask a client’s General Practitioner (GP) Doctor? And even when you do, how do you do it so that the GP actually gets back to you? Here to answer all these questions and more is Dr Katy Fisken.  Dr Fisken joins Stuart on the podcast to discuss improving communication between personal trainers and GPs. They explore when PTS must check with a client’s GP about medical conditions before training, and how to do so. They also touch on Dr Fisken’s fascinating personal experience as a GP-turned-PT, the level of exercise and nutrition education in medical schools, and the growing importance of lifestyle medicine.      Timestamps  01:08 Exercise and Nu

Should you spend ££££ on a machine to measure your client's body composition? Will it help you make better decisions for your clients? Can they really measure someone's body fat?   Stuart welcomes Dr. Eric Helms back on the podcast to find out. Along the way, they also talk about research on the relationship between sedentary time and health. You can also expect to learn exactly whether specific exercises can really target certain regions of muscle, why squats won't make your hamstrings grow and why you DON’T want early career success.        Timestamps  0:01:22 Exploring Early Career Success and Longevity 0:15:40 The Relationship Between Sedentary Time and Exercise 0:25:25 Exploring the Accuracy of Body Composition Measurements Methods 0:39:34 Regional Hypertrophy in Response to Resistance Training 0:42:16 How does Regional Hypertrophy inform a personal trainers practice?   Find Out More About Eric: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/?hl=en  3DMJ: https://3dmusclejourney.com/about/  MASS: https://www.s

 Is 2023 the year when the robots take over?   With the recent release of Chat GPT, many coaches are considering how AI will affect their future careers.   Stuart welcomes Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon back onto the Lift the bar podcast to explore this and many other questions. Expect to learn what AI should be used for and what it shouldn’t, why being solution-focused leads to better client success and the best way to future-proof your coaching skill set.    Timestamps    1:26- Should personal trainers coach nutrition?  3:10- Should nutrition and exercise be separate services?  6:47- Why trainers should refer to other professionals for detailed nutrition support.   12:17- Being a solution-focused coach.  22:51- What does AI bring to coaching?  33:02- How could a new coach use Chat GPT?  34:52- Will AI be able to write good training programs?  41:16- How can coaches future-proof their skillsets?     Find Out More About Krista: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/stumptuous/  Website: https://

In 2023, it seems like everyone is an “online coach”. But just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should. That’s why this episode from the vault is getting another airing.  In this week’s edition, Stuart talks to Dan Smith about all things online coaching. They cover why selling “online coaching” doesn’t work, the importance of designing your program and how to advertise so you never have to “sell” your service again. Expect to learn how to create a rewarding online coaching business, how to deal with the highs and lows of business and what happened to Dan in Ibiza…  This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to start or grow an online coaching business in 2023.     Timestamps    1:26 How can coaches regulate their emotions?   7:00- How to create a better work-life balance.  8:43- How should coaches discuss their clients’ results?      12:41- What role do transformation pictures play in selling online coaching?   17:54- Why coaches should stop selling online coaching

Are you interested in starting an online group coaching program but don't know how? Look no further! This archived episode of the LTB podcast features Emma Storey-Gordon. Emma’s last intake of the EC method successfully helped 600+ new clients, so she knows what she is talking about!     Stuart and Emma cover everything you need to know about online coaching such as how to create digital systems, make effective onboarding processes, and how previous members can help new clients. Tune in to learn more!    Timestamps  1:37- How does Emma manage her time?  2:45- The Issue with task switching  6:09- How Emma uses a Virtual Assistant to help with workload  6:52- What and when should you outsource?  12:32- What is the EC method?  13:48- How long does the EC method last?   16:11- How do people pay for the EC method?   16:44- Should coaches get a business partner to help run group coaching?   21:16- How does someone sign up for the EC method?   25:33- What does the EC welcome email say?   27:

The world of biomechanics can be a pretty scary place for a beginner. We have pulled this episode from the archive to help you delve into the fascinating world of biomechanics.   Stuart talks to Paul Standell about how personal trainers can understand the physics that underlies exercise and how doing so will accelerate their careers and even, get them more clients!  Discover why specific exercises, such as the dumbbell lateral raise, become more difficult at the top instead of the bottom (Hint: It’s not because your arm got heavier!). Learn how exercise mechanics can be used to tailor sessions to individual clients and the surprising benefits of spending time on a seesaw.      Timestamps: 1:08- Why are personal trainers like advisors?   4:41- When should personal trainers be more directive?   6:43- How many choices should personal trainers give their client?   7:28- Definition of exercise mechanics  20:12- Why should personal trainers care about exercise mechanics?   27:30- Can exercise

In this week's episode, Stuart sits down with Ben Pickard to discuss common challenges fitness businesses face. They explore why an increase in clients may not necessarily improve profitability, the viability of trainers opening their own facilities, and how owners can retain top staff. Ben also delves into the ethics of sales and the importance of financial planning, provides a comprehensive overview of tracking key performance indicators, and shares insights on the shifts in client behaviour following the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for valuable tips and strategies to help your fitness business thrive in 2023.     Timestamps  1:08 Why is Ben still in the fitness industry?  04:16 How can independent gyms keep their best staff?   08:16 Should trainers open their own facility?  10:54 Career trajectory for PT’s  14:01 How have potential clients changed post-COVID?   16:50 Is profit evil?   18:42 Ethics of selling: Self-Serving or Client Serving?   21:31 The Importance of Financial

If you want more clients, you need to build relationships.   There are few better ways to do that than writing.   In this week's episode, Stuart interviews Ann Hanley. Ann is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Everybody Writes and Content Rules. They talk about how you can become a more natural, engaging writer so your future clients get to know the real you. You'll learn specific editing techniques which make your life easier and your content more engaging.      Timestamps:   Ann's first newsletter: 4:18  What is honest empathy? 9:13   Should you write the same way you speak? 14:53  Making every word count: 18:08  The importance of editing: 21:19  Why writing is a privilege: 23:55  Developing your writing voice: 25:06  Building a relationship with your readers: 31:45  Should personal trainers start a newsletter? 34:18  Ann's advice for her younger: 38:44                         Find Out More About Ann: Website: https://annhandley.com/  Instagram: https:

Personal trainers have a lot of different hats to wear. Business owner. Exercise specialist. Content creator. Nutrition expert.   Would it be best for everyone if they took off the nutrition hat?   In this week’s episode, Stuart talks to Alan Flanagan about how PTs should deliver nutrition advice. They also touch on how to assess whether other nutrition professionals are good sources of information, the importance of building a referral network, and the surprising link between studying law and studying nutrition.   Alan was previously a practicing barrister before turning to his passion for nutrition. He holds a masters and PhD in nutritional medicine. He is the founder of Alinea Nutrition and is also a contributor to Sigma Nutrition.       Find Out More About Alan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenutritional_advocate/?hl=en      Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.

Most personal trainers who work in commercial gyms leave the industry within two years. Today's guest has beaten those odds.   Pete Yardley has been personal training in a Pure Gym for ten years. In this episode, Stuart talks to Pete about career longevity. They cover the best approaches to lead generation in a commercial gym, work-life balance and how a lump of chalk helped Pete thrive during lockdown.         Find Out More About Pete: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteYardley.HF       Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49 S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16 

Most personal trainers want to have a steady income. They also want to make a meaningful impact on their client’s lives. Focusing on one specific population of potential clients might help you do both.  Can you guess who it is? It’s our mums and dads. Our grandparents and maybe even our great-grandparents! The elderly are hugely underserved by the fitness industry. So, you’re not going to have much competition. More importantly, it’s incredibly rewarding to spend your time helping people maintain their ability to walk, see their friends and, ultimately, their independence.   Today Stuart welcomes Dr Janet Withall from the University of Birmingham. Dr Withall is an expert in healthy ageing. She focuses on helping elderly people maintain their activity levels and strength. In this episode, expect to learn how to attract elderly clients to exercise services, how those services should be designed to maximise results, and how physical activity can affect people’s disease risk.          Find Out More Abou

Obesity is a choice. People should just choose to eat less and move more. This would make problems with weight disappear. Right?   This week Stuart talks to LTB staff member Alex Pearson about whether this common view of obesity is correct. Expect to learn about the causes of obesity, its relationship to health and why fat shaming is both ineffective and unethical.         Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? Black Friday Offer: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/lift-the-bar-membership-4for4/   S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16 

  Do you throw a post-up on Instagram every so often and hope for the best? Well, it might be time to get a long-term social media strategy in place for 2023!   To give you a helping hand, Stuart welcomes returning guest Simon Mitchell onto the podcast. In this episode, they discuss how to build an email list from scratch, how to use email marketing and social media to compliment each other, and how multiple different platforms can work as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy!         Find Out More About Simon: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsimonmitchell/?hl=en      Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49 S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16 

You’ve dismissed Linkedin. After all, it is just for business-to-business networking. It would be a waste of time if you wanted to grow your client base…right?   Well, this week’s guest, Lea Turner thinks you're wrong!   Stuart and Lea have a revealing conversation about how Linkedin has massively under-utilised potential for reaching future customers. Expect to learn the best ways to set up a Linkedin profile, how to communicate with people on the platform and the type of content you should post. If you’re sick of Instagram and want a new way to grow your business, this episode is for you!         Find Out More About Lea: Website: https://leaturner.co.uk/      Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49 S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16 

Hindsight is always 20-20, right? Well with this in mind, Stuart takes a trip in a time machine to talk about how he would change the beginning of his career. He gives us five key points which cover improving work-life balance, organising education and much more!             Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49 S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16 

Hearing about the journey of an experienced personal trainer can be a great way to accelerate your career. With that in mind…in this week’s episode, Stuart talks to a long-standing LTB member, Jake Weekes. This wide-ranging conversation captures what “growing” as a personal trainer is like. You’ll hear Jake talk about almost every part of personal training life. He covers going freelance, helping clients learn to love strength training and the key lessons he has taken from years of CPD.        Find Out More About Jake: IG: https://www.instagram.com/leanerstrongerjake/?hl=en  Website: https://leanerstronger.co.uk/      Find Out More About LTB: Website: https://liftthebar.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftthebar/? 14-Day Free Trial: https://liftthebar.thrivecart.com/ltb-membership-49 S.Q.U.A.T.S Newsletter: https://liftthebar.activehosted.com/f/16