Blog

<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">There’s an art to program design. It’s not as simple as “squat, bench, deadlift” or splitting the week into upper, lower, and accessory days. You can Google a workout plan and find success in the short term, but real, lasting change comes from consistency.And consistency only happens when the program is built for you, your values, goals, movement quality, and readiness to change. <h3>It Starts with the Human in Front of Me</h3>Program design doesn’t start with exercises; it starts with the person.Before I write a single set or rep, I want to understand who I’m dealing with. What motivates this person? What are their goals? What’s their movement history, injury background, and mindset toward change?My job is to meet them where they need to be met, to challenge them just enough to create growth while helping them feel successful. Success breeds consistency, and consistency builds results. <h3>Assess, Then Design</h3>Everyone’s body moves differently. Age, injury history, lifestyle, and posture all play a role. Posture, for example, is an expression of how your body tolerates its environment. And your body, by design, is lazy. It’s built to find the path of least resistance. That’s why assessment is non-negotiable.How someone moves dictates how I’ll program for them. The goal is to intelligently target their weaknesses while amplifying their strengths. If someone struggles to touch their toes, I’m not going to make deadlifts the cornerstone of their program. That’s not smart programming; it’s reckless. <h3>Function Before FitnesS</h3>One of my core principles is function before fitness. It’s not that I don’t want someone doing a particular exercise. It’s that we first need to train their body’s ability to do it well.Take the toe-touch example again. If someone can’t touch their toes, that tells me their pelvis likely struggles to internally rotate and compress—two essential mechanics for a hinge pattern. And a hinge pattern is the foundation of a proper deadlift.So before I load a barbell, I need to address why that pattern isn’t functioning well. That’s where corrective exercise strategies come in, drills that restore movement competency and teach the body how to hinge safely.Once that foundation is built, we can load it. That’s when strength, performance, and confidence start to grow.That process evolves over time. It’s fluid but intentional. And that’s the real value of working with a personal trainer: to bridge the gap between where your body is today and where you want it to be. <h3>Movement Before Muscles</h3>I don’t think in terms of muscle groups. I think in terms of movements.There are four pillars of human movement that guide my programming:<ol><li>Push: pressing something away from the body (push-ups, bench press, shoulder press)</li><li>Pull: drawing something toward the body (rows, pull-ups, pulldowns)</li><li>Level Change: lowering or raising the body’s center of mass (squats, hinges, lunges)</li><li>Locomotion and Rotation: moving through space and across planes (walking, carrying, twisting, running)</li></ol>We don’t move in straight lines in life, so we shouldn’t train like we do. Real life is multi-directional. Training should reflect that. <h3>Efficiency Over Excess</h3>People hear the word “circuit” and think “high intensity.” But to me, circuits are about efficiency.<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">For example, say we’re focusing on lower body work such as squats, lunges, and step-ups. Instead of sitting idle between sets, I’ll pair each movement with an active recovery exercise: <ul><li>Squat paired with TRX Row</li><li>Lunge paired with Plank Hold</li><li>Step-Up paired with Core or Mobility Work</li></ul>That structure maximizes time, maintains intensity, and keeps the heart rate elevated without compromising the focus of each main movement. <h3>Simplicity Wins</h3>The magic isn’t in variety; it’s in mastery.I’d rather have a client do the basics extremely well than chase endless novelty and do everything poorly. My goal is always quality movement done consistently and intentionally. On purpose and with purpose. When clients understand the “why” behind what they’re doing, buy-in skyrockets—and so do results.Because fitness doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be purposeful, efficient, and consistent.

How I Design Programs for My Clients

<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">One of the most common questions I get is, “What are your splits?”Here’s the truth: I don’t have splits. I’ve never had a “chest day” or a “leg day.” I’ve never walked into the gym chasing a muscle group. And here’s why. <h3>1. Movement Over Muscles</h3>The first reason splits don’t resonate with me is simple: they’re outdated and inefficient.Breaking your body into isolated parts leaves you sore, stiff, and often broken down without much payoff. Instead, I believe in training movements over muscles. There are four pillars of human movement:<ul><li>Push (chest, shoulders, triceps)</li><li>Pull (back, biceps)</li><li>Level Change (squats, lunges, deadlifts)</li><li>Locomotion (walking, running, carrying, moving)</li></ul> When you design training around these pillars, you build strength, move better, feel better, and create sustainability. You become a functional athlete—not just someone who can load up a bar and grind through pain. <h3>Splits vs. Movement-Based Training</h3>Imagine this: you dedicate a whole “shoulder day” to isolation work. Six different exercises, three sets each, long rest breaks. You crush your joints, barely elevate your heart rate, and leave the gym sore for days. That’s not efficient. Now compare it to a movement-based session:<ul><li>Overhead presses paired with deadlifts</li><li>Bench press with single-leg deadlifts</li><li>Push-ups, hinges, and curls in a circuit</li></ul> In one workout, you’ve trained your entire body, challenged your heart and lungs, stressed your system in a positive way, and left stronger, fitter, and more capable. <h3>2. Results Come From Consistency, Not Splits</h3>I never set out to “build muscle.” What you see is the byproduct of discipline and remarkable consistency. I just show up. Every single day.It’s not about intensity. It’s about stacking days. I’d rather get in ten minutes of movement every day than one big 60-minute session a week. When you show up consistently, that habit ripples into every other part of your life. That’s inertia—stay in motion, and good things follow. <h3>The Takeaway</h3>Muscle splits aren’t evil, but they’re not the most effective way for most people to train.If you want lasting results, focus on two things:<ul><li>Train movements, not muscles.</li><li>Show up consistently.</li></ul>That’s how you build a body that’s not only strong but sustainable.

Why Muscle Splits Don’t Work For Me

Life has a funny way of pulling us away from what really matters: the essentials. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> My daily walk grounds me. It strips life back to its core and reminds me of what I actually need: air in my lungs, the ability to move my body, food to fuel me, a roof over my head, family, community, and love. Everything else? That’s a bonus. <h3>The Privilege of the Everyday</h3>We get so caught up in chasing more: more money, more resources, more accomplishments. The more we accomplish, the more we grow, the further removed we become from what truly matters. The truth is, waking up in the morning is the ultimate privilege. Resting your head on a pillow at night is an even greater one. The air in your lungs, the freedom to move, the gift of vision and perspective, and the chance to play this game of life for another 24 hours—that’s wealth beyond measure. When you see life through that lens, it becomes harder to live negatively. Gratitude reframes your reality. It allows you to choose joy, peace, and presence over scarcity and stress. <h3>Life is a Single-Player Game</h3>At its core, life is a single-player game. It’s made up of a million sensory experiences, each one shaped by your choices. That’s the beauty of it. You hold control over your outcomes. Every day you wake up, you have an opportunity to carve out who you want to be. You design yourself. You create your experiences. Each choice you make determines the chances you get. And those choices ripple outward, creating long-term impact. That’s why the small, momentary decisions matter so much. They compound. They build habits, shape character, and form the foundation of your future. <h3>Be Intentional Every Day</h3>This is where intentionality comes in. Each day is an opportunity to make choices that produce positive outcomes. You don’t need to control tomorrow or undo yesterday. You just need to control today. Make the decisions today that put you in the best position for tomorrow, and then learn to live with what comes. Because when you strip life back to the essentials, you realize something simple: if you have breath, movement, and love, you already have everything you need.

The Essentials

The reality is this: time and gravity are undefeated. Every day, your body absorbs forces that work in direct opposition to your health.Your posture is a expression of your body’s ability to tolerate its environment—both literally and metaphorically. If you don’t take steps to build strength and resilience, those forces will win. That’s when hip pain, back pain, or knee pain shows up, and too often it gets dismissed as “just getting older.”But the truth is, it’s not just age. Your body is an incredibly efficient—and lazy—system. It’s designed to do the least amount of work necessary to survive. If you don’t move, if you don’t stress the system proactively, breakdown is inevitable. And that’s only the orthopedic side. We haven’t even touched the broader health consequences.This is where traditional healthcare roles—physical therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists—come in. They are incredibly valuable, but their work is often reactive, helping you recover once issues have already taken hold.The role of a personal trainer is different. Our responsibility is to design and deliver programs that proactively combat life’s undeniable stressors—before pain and dysfunction dictate the terms of your health.<h3> More Than a Workout</h3> Workouts are everywhere. You can find them online, in an app, at a CrossFit box, a yoga class, or on a Peloton screen. But here’s the difference: a personal trainer doesn’t just hand you a workout—we meet you where you are.Our responsibility is to design a program that:<ul><li style="list-style-type: none;"><ul><li>Fits your unique movement capacity</li><li>Accounts for your goals, orthopedic limitations, and medical history</li><li>Creates a positive relationship with fitness and health</li><li>Holds you accountable to showing up consistently </li></ul></li></ul>Because the truth is this: the movement of your body creates space for your mind. A well-designed program doesn’t just strengthen your body—it clears your head, reduces stress, and gives you mental energy to take on life. <h3> Do You Need a Trainer?</h3> Not everybody needs a personal trainer. But everybody needs to move.If you:<ul><li style="list-style-type: none;"><ul><li style="">Struggle with accountability</li><li style="">Lack experience or confidence in the gym Have movement limitations</li><li style="">Want peace of mind—eliminate the guesswork and just be told what to do </li><li style="">Have medical or orthopedic limitations﻿</li><li style="">Don’t know how to start or where to start</li></ul></li></ul>…then a trainer might be the right fit for you.On the other hand, if you’re intrinsically motivated, disciplined in other areas of your life, and confident in your ability to self-start, you can do great with more affordable options like group fitness, CrossFit, Peloton, or even your own workouts. Those disciplines have their limitations, but if you’re proactively seeking movement, you’re on the right path. <h3> Where the Value Lies</h3> The true value of a personal trainer isn’t in the workout—it’s in the intentionality of the program. It’s having something designed specifically for you, with your goals, movement patterns, and health in mind.And when life throws a curveball—an injury, a setback, or an unexpected change—a skilled trainer knows how to adjust your plan without compromising your progress or your health.<h3> Final Word</h3> Stillness can be illness. Movement is medicine.In a world with endless training options, the best one is the one that helps you show up consistently and safely while moving toward something specific. For many, that’s where a personal trainer becomes invaluable.Find what’s best for you. Show up for yourself. And if you need someone to meet you where you are with a plan in hand trust it’s worth it—it’s a lot easier when you know someone’s waiting for you.

The Value of a Personal Trainer in a World Full of Options

There’s a quote I often come back to: &nbsp;“Exchange expectations for appreciation.”Some expect to see tomorrow. Others pray for one more day. The truth is, none of us is guaranteed anything. We all have an expiration date. That’s not morbid, it’s reality. We get one Our mindset matters. It’s our mental attitude that predetermines our response to every situation and circumstances . And just like your muscles, it can be trained., one opportunity to play this game. It's to be enjoyed!Imagine how our lives would feel if we woke up appreciating the simple privilege it is to wake up in the morning. Our feet touching&nbsp;ground.The air in our lungs.Having vision, perspective, and opportunity. None of this is owed to us. It’s a gift. When we start from that foundation, we build a happy, rich, and meaningful life. <h3>The Lens You Choose</h3>Gratitude vs. deprivation—it’s a lens we get to choose every single day.<ul><li>&nbsp;It’s not “We have to work out.” It’s “We get to move our bodies.”</li><li>&nbsp;It’s not “We have to eat healthy.” It’s “We get to nourish ourselves in ways that help us thrive.”</li></ul>Our mindset matters. It’s our mental attitude that predetermines our response to every situation and circumstance. And just like your muscles, it can be trained. <h3>Planting Seeds of Gratitude</h3> The most effective training methods I know aren’t about sets and reps, it’s about planting seeds of gratitude daily.I never start a morning without giving thanks for waking up. That’s the baseline. If I can stack enough mornings like that, enough days rooted in appreciation—I’ll have built enough momentum that even the most challenging of days are met with the proper perspective. Smile. Spread love. Laugh. Stay positive.That’s how you maximize the time you’ve been given. <h3>Final Word</h3>Gratitude provides a powerful shift in perspective. You stop living like the world owes you something, and start living like every moment is an opportunity.Exchange your expectations for appreciation. Live with the awareness that tomorrow isn’t promised. And if you can stack enough days with that mindset, you’ll enjoy the fruit of a life well lived.

Appreciation Over Expectations

<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">There is no step more significant than the first one. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The hardest part is always getting started. You are always a single decision away from changing your life, but that decision means nothing unless you act immediately. Urgency matters. Inspiration is perishable. If you wait, it fades. <h3>Stop Complicating Success</h3>We often complicate success by focusing too much on outcomes. The reality is this: your process defines your success.<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">It’s never about the destination. It’s about the journey. It’s about the lessons that turn into blessings. That’s where the magic happens. That’s where the growth happens. <h3>Start Small</h3>Today’s blog is proof of this concept. Honestly? I didn’t want to write today. But I simplified the start. I told myself: “Write one sentence.” If I wanted to keep going, I could. That was enough to create momentum. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">That’s inertia. <ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Don’t feel like walking? Just put your shoes on. </li><li>Don’t feel like reading? Just turn to the first page. </li><li>Don’t feel like getting up? Just put your feet on the floor.</li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Define the first win. Make it as easy as possible. <h3>Motivation Is Active</h3>People often think motivation is passive—that it arrives like lightning. The truth is, motivation is active. You summon it by doing.<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The smallest action creates momentum. Small successes fuel bigger ones. Success breeds success. It’s the best motivational tool there is. <h3>Make Wins Easy</h3>If you want to be successful, make your wins simple and attainable: <ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Don’t focus on washing all the dishes. Just wash one plate.</li><li>Once you’ve started, momentum takes over.</li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">The hardest part is always getting started. <h3>Focus on What You Control</h3>Don’t overwhelm yourself with thoughts of the end result. Instead, focus your attention on the small, manageable behaviors you control today.<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Create an environment that makes success easy. If your process is aligned with taking positive steps forward, I promise—you’ll be satisfied with the outcome.