Is it actually harder to sign online coaching clients right now, or is it just you?

In this week’s episode of the Push Pull Legs podcast, Dan and Tom dive deep into the shifting landscape of the fitness industry.
We discuss the noticeable "quietness" in commercial gyms this January and February, and why Instagram isn't yielding the same results for personal trainers anymore.

The "YouTube Thesis" explains why long-form video is the better tool for building authority, trust, and a community that actually buys.
Plus, we explore the rise of Hyrox and community-based fitness as an antidote to "Instagram burnout" and a struggling political/economic climate.

What we cover:
The Content Shift: Why YouTube and Email are beating the Instagram algorithm in 2026.
Gym Observations: Is retail spending and gym participation actually down? Building Authority: How to "fail fast" with video to become the go-to expert in your niche.
Lifestyle & Filming: Tom’s street gets taken over by the crew of Slow Horses.

0:00 Pancake Day and Dietary Choices
3:29 Pancakes: Nostalgia vs. Adult Preferences
5:06 Fitness Training Routines and Gym Observations
11:04 VO2 Max Training and Personal Trainer Class Critique
14:50 The Importance of Live Classes and Engagement
19:01 Filming of "Slow Horses" on the Street
23:22 Recognising Actors from TV Shows
26:33 The Challenge of Client Acquisition in the Current Climate
32:24 The Impact of Political Landscape and Instagram Changes
35:36 The Rise of Community-Based Fitness and Events
38:22 YouTube's Growth and Building Authority
43:17 The Long-Term Game of Building Community
46:12 Gym Trends and Economic Outlook
47:54 Recommendations: Start a YouTube Channel

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Why Instagram is Failing PTs (And Why You Need YouTube Now)