Podcast
The Show Up Fitness Podcast
Hosted by Chris Hitchko, CEO Show Up Fitness · EN
Join Chris Hitchko, author of 'How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer' VOL 2 and CEO of Show Up Fitness as he guides personal trainers towards success.
90% of personal trainers quit within 12-months in the USA, 18-months in the UK, Show Up Fitness is helping change those statistics. The Show Up Fitness CPT is one of the fastest growing PT certifications in the world with partnerships with over 500-gyms including Life Time Fitness, Equinox, Genesis, EoS, and numerous other elite partnerships.
This podcast focuses on refining trade, business, and people skills to help trainers excel in the fitness industry. Discover effective client programming, revenue generation, medical professional networking, and elite assessment strategies.
Learn how to become a successful Show Up Fitness CPT at www.showupfitness.com. Send your questions to Chris on Instagram @showupfitness or via email at info@showupfitness.com."
68episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer 2026 & Why 90% of Trainers QUIT
6d ago00:33:11Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Email info@showupfitness.com for the sale of the century w/ SUF FREEDOM sale. All certs, 1 seminar and life time access to the SUF platform to become ELITE.Four-week certifications and “just learn on the job” sound convenient until you watch trainer after trainer burn out, undercharge, and disappear. We are celebrating the weekend by calling out the uncomfortable reality in the fitness industry: personal training is treated like a shortcut profession, even though clients trust us with pain, movement, and life-changing goals. If you want to become a successful personal trainer in 2026, you need more than a textbook and a logo in your Instagram bio. We break down why the quit rate stays so high, what managers and top trainers report from inside big gyms, and how the system fails new coaches by starving them of hands-on continuing education and real mentorship. We also get specific about what competence looks like: anatomy you can actually explain, programming built on principles, and a process for screening, modifying, and referring out when a client shows up with shoulder, knee, or low back issues. Safety is not a buzzword, it is the foundation of confidence. Then we connect the technical side to the business side: why trainers get stuck at $25 to $50 an hour, how a lack of skill shows up as fear of sales, and how to build a clear offer, follow-up pipeline, and professional demeanor that makes clients want to commit. We also talk about leveling up with support from experienced coaches, physical therapists, and registered dietitians, plus adding additional revenue streams like nutrition coaching and deeper health education so your career has staying power. If you are tired of guessing and ready to build real expertise, listen now, share this with a trainer who needs it, and subscribe so you do not miss what we publish next. If you got value, leave a review and tell us: what is the biggest thing holding trainers back where you live?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →Effect of SWEARING on Physical Performance - Dan Garner Vitality Blueprint Review
1w ago00:11:32Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Dan Garner - Vitality Blueprint co-founder review on swearing FB post July 3rd 2026.One word can change your output, and the data is wild. We’re talking about swearing and physical performance, sparked by a 2024 mini review in Frontiers in Psychology that pulls together controlled studies on what happens when you repeat a swear word during a max-effort attempt versus a neutral word. Same task, same setup, different word, and the “explicit” option starts to look like a legitimate training variable.We walk through the headline results and why they matter for real-world coaching: wall sits held longer, more push-ups to failure, longer planks, stronger grip strength, and even a bump in Wingate test peak and average power. We also zoom out for perspective on how big those percentage changes are compared to typical training gains, and why replication makes this more than a one-off gimmick.Then we get practical and a little uncomfortable in the best way: why the mechanism is still unclear, why you shouldn’t assume it transfers to long endurance efforts, and how to apply it ethically as a coach. We talk mirroring clients, setting expectations, respecting your environment in busy gyms, and the fine line between “authentic” and “unprofessional,” especially when one offended person can cost you a review, a referral, or a room full of trust.If you like evidence-based training with real-life coaching judgment, hit subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a quick rating and review.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →From Real Estate to Personal Trainer at age 55 w/ Heather
1w ago00:22:26Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!IGs to follow: heather gregory realtor, conniebegonnie, dr. ashley dwyer, amanda.thebe, mike doehla, jebShe spent decades avoiding gyms, then a single question lit the fuse: which burns more calories, cardio or weight training? Heather’s answer, plus the surprising reaction she saw online, pushed her from curious to committed and straight into a personal trainer certification. What follows is a real-world look at how a midlife career change can work when you stop chasing hacks and start building skills.We talk about hiring an online coach across the country, why logging food is uncomfortable but powerful, and how “eat more” can be the missing step for body recomposition when you’ve been stuck in the fat-free mindset for years. Heather breaks down what it’s like to learn macros from scratch, train with purpose instead of punishment cardio, and finally feel in control of results. If you’re searching for practical guidance on online coaching, macro tracking, strength training for women, or how to become a personal trainer later in life, this conversation connects the dots.We also get into the bigger problem: fitness misinformation. From influencer hormone drama to supplement noise, we share how conferences, mentorship, and a strong coaching community sharpen your critical thinking so you can help clients with integrity. Heather lays out her next steps, including nutrition coaching, training out of a home gym, and starting with friends through word of mouth.Subscribe for more honest coaching conversations, share this with a friend who’s thinking about a career pivot, and leave a review with the biggest fitness myth you want us to tackle next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →How a 40 yr old increased his testosterone 35% in 3-years | Vitality Blueprint & SUF NC
1w ago00:20:41Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Become a nutrition coach w/ Show Up Fitness Nutrition Coaching Certification learning how to interpret blood panels w/ the Vitality Blueprint partnership while networking with RD'sA 40% testosterone increase in your 40s sounds like hype until you see the labs, the timeline, and the unsexy habits that actually move the needle. We walk through my blood work and why a “normal” total testosterone range can still leave you performing below your potential, especially when sleep, stress, body fat, and micronutrients are quietly dragging you down.We also talk about our partnership with Vitality Blueprint and what changes when you stop relying on the standard 10 to 20 lab markers and start looking at 80+ markers with clear recommendations and scientific references. That bigger picture helps you avoid the common trap of getting sold on TRT as the first option. TRT can be the right call for some people, but we make a strong case for optimizing naturally first, using a structured test, plan, retest approach and working alongside medical professionals when needed.You’ll hear practical strategies for testosterone optimization and longevity: lifting weights without fearing cardio, eating enough protein and healthy fats, improving vitamin D, managing cortisol, reducing alcohol, avoiding estrogen-like chemicals where possible, and building a sleep routine that actually works, including getting your phone out of the bedroom. If you’re a coach, we also get into how blood work and better systems can level up your service while keeping you in your lane.Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s “fine” but tired, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: what’s the one habit you’re changing first?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →How many clients do you need to make 120k/ yr as a personal trainer
2w ago00:16:49Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!$120,000 as a personal trainer is not a mystery, it is math plus strategy. We start with the clean target of $10K per month and work backward into what your week actually needs to look like, including the part most people ignore: clients say they will train three times a week, then life happens. Missed sessions, weak cancellation policies, travel, sickness, and burnout turn “perfect plans” into messy income fast, especially at $50 per session.We walk through the real numbers at $50, $75, and $100 per session, and how each tier changes the size of your client roster and the stress level of your calendar. We also get blunt about the thought experiment that should shape your whole business: why work more when you can work less and get paid more? If you want a sustainable personal training career, your pricing has to match your skill, your market, and the results you deliver.Then we go beyond sessions into personal trainer revenue streams, especially nutrition coaching done the right way. We talk about separating training from nutrition, earning the “green light” after a month of consistency, building accountability with food logging, and even partnering with a registered dietitian for monthly calls and deeper client support. We close with a simple 60/30/10 model for training, nutrition, and supplements, plus ideas for email lists, content, and online coaching so your income is not tied to one gym or one crisis. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the rate you want to charge next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →PASS NASM 2026 W/ TUTORING & LIVE CALLS
2w ago00:21:53Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!The fastest way to fail the NASM CPT is to study like you’re trying to become a walking textbook. We take the opposite approach: pass the exam quickly, then put your energy into the hands-on coaching skills, people skills, and business confidence that actually keep trainers in the industry.We walk through the NASM OPT model in a way that makes test questions feel predictable. You’ll hear how NASM frames periodization across stabilization, strength, and power, and exactly which acute variables you should memorize to win easy points: reps, sets, intensity, tempo, and rest intervals. We also cover muscle actions, why plyometrics bring up the amortization phase, and how ATP recovery shows up in rest-period questions. The goal is simple: recognize the pattern, pick the answer, move on.Then we connect the certification to the career: why hands-on seminars beat endless reading, how to think about getting hired at top gyms, and why a diversified resume can be the difference between getting an interview and getting ignored. We also talk about building a support team, delivering better assessments, and charging like a professional when you can truly help people.If you’re studying for the NASM CPT exam or you’re rebuilding momentum after stalling out, this one will help. Subscribe for more practical coaching, share this with a friend who’s stuck in the book, and leave a review so more future trainers can find the shortcut that actually works.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →How to train small group / semi private clients
2w ago00:11:50Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Want to become a successful personal trainer? SUF CPT, SUF STM, SUF NC will help trainers build the streams of revenue, confidence and teams to become successful making over $100,000/ year.Random circuits look creative, but they usually produce one thing fast: tired clients who are not getting stronger. We break down a clean, repeatable way to design small group training programs using movement patterns and a simple circuit template (CCA) that you can run in almost any environment, from a fully equipped gym like Lifetime or Equinox to a smaller studio with limited stations. If you coach personal training and want better flow, better progressions, and fewer “what do I do next?” moments, this is your playbook.We talk through how to build full body strength sessions even when clients think they only want glutes, abs, or arms. The secret is pairing core lifts with accessories that do not steal force production from the main pattern. You will hear practical examples for groups of three where everyone shares the same squat, pull, and plank patterns, plus ways to swap variations when you do not have enough racks or pull-up bars. We also cover rotating stations, where the coaching focus goes, and how to keep accessories engaging without turning the workout into a circus.Then we get honest about a common mistake in small group fitness classes: mixing heavy lifting with early cardio. When conditioning comes first, strength output drops, loads drop, and results slow down. We explain how to place jumps and power work for fast twitch recruitment, when to save cardio for a game or a finisher, and how to make five-person circuits work without compromising performance. Finally, we zoom out to programming systems like progressive overload, simple testing on day one and day 30, and monthly templates that help clients chase PRs and stay bought in.If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a review with your biggest small group training challenge so we can tackle it next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →How to Ace Your First Personal Training Interview (And Actually Get Hired)
4w ago00:21:16Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Most new trainers think the first job interview is a quiz on anatomy. It usually isn’t. What hiring managers really watch is whether you show up early, communicate like a pro, and can connect with everyday members who want results, not gym jargon. We walk through how to prepare for a personal trainer interview when you are still finishing a NASM certification, and how to make a strong first impression without pretending you know everything. We also zoom out and talk about gym tiers. High-volume chain gyms often hire fast, pay less, and may not test much beyond basic competence and reliability. Higher-end clubs like Lifetime or Equinox tend to run a more formal hiring process, sometimes with phone screens, practical coaching tests, and role play that reveals how you think under pressure. We share the research steps that help you stand out: learn the gym’s mission statement and core values, understand how their personal training department works, and tailor your story to the members you will actually train. The biggest shift is turning the interview into a two-way filter. We give you high-value questions to ask managers about mentorship, continuing education, onboarding, getting clients, and support with programming and sales. We also cover presence and confidence: a tight elevator pitch, strong posture, fewer filler words, and simple ways to handle sales conversations without sounding pushy. If you want to get hired at a gym, grow your confidence fast, and build a long-term career in personal training, listen through and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the one interview question you’re going to use next.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →How to study for NASM 2026 | Pass in 30 days GUARANTEED
4w ago00:07:19Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!The fastest way to fail the NASM CPT exam is to study like you’re trying to become a walking textbook. We’re personal trainers, and most of us learn by doing. So we break down how to pass the NASM CPT without drowning in chapters you’ll never use, and why a focused plan can realistically get you across the finish line in less than 30 days.We map out the handful of areas that keep showing up: the human movement system, behavior change coaching, the assessment process (yes, overhead squat assessment concepts like compensations and overactive vs underactive muscles), the OPT model and its phases, acute variables, energy systems, basic nutrition, and the key terms you must be able to recognize on sight. The point isn’t to “know everything” it’s to know what the exam rewards and to build a study routine you can actually stick to.Then we get honest about the mental side. NASM-style practice questions can read like they were written to mess with you, and that confusion often triggers automatic negative thoughts and wasted study time. We share how to “put the NASM hat on,” focus on the words that matter, and stop letting tricky phrasing shake your confidence.Passing the certification is step one. Coaching real clients is where your career is made, so we also talk internships, supervised reps, learning from physical therapists and experienced coaches, and why relying on random internet advice can leave you stuck when a real human shows up with pain, limitations, or complex needs. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a future trainer, and leave a review. What part of the NASM CPT is stressing you out most right now?Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
Transcribe →How to get clients at Life Time Fitness w/ PTL1 Mike in Canada
Jun 700:23:23Tap to summarizeSend us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why!Improve your soft skills as a trainer and you will get more clients. PTL1 Mike from Toronto Canada, talks about how Show Up Fitness helps trainers level up their business and technical skills. How to improve your people skills? That's what we discussed today.Your schedule isn’t empty because you “need a better certification.” It’s empty because you’re avoiding the one skill that makes personal training a real career: connecting with members on the gym floor. Chris sits down with Mike, a Toronto-based PT leader, to get painfully practical about how great trainers get hired, get noticed, and get clients without acting like a pushy salesperson. We dig into what Mike looks for in interviews, including a hands-on practical where trainers must show progressions and regressions and prove they can coach movement patterns safely. From there, we zoom out to the business side of personal training: why floor engagement has faded over the last decade, why app-booked consults often no-show, and how a quick “wow factor” interaction can make someone 10x more likely to show up and buy. Mike shares easy, low-pressure ways to start conversations, from offering a towel to giving a simple form cue in the machine area, plus how to exit gracefully when someone isn’t interested. If you’re more introverted, this conversation still hits hard. Mike explains how to build confidence through reps, start with easy wins, and adopt a mindset of service: you’re not “selling,” you’re helping people avoid injury, train with purpose, and finally see progress. We also get into consult questions that uncover the real why behind a goal, plus how to “paint the picture” with long-term programming and realistic timelines so clients stay for months, not weeks. If you want more clients and better retention, press play, take notes, and try one floor interaction today. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with the one tip you’re going to use first.Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world!Want to ask us a question? Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqANASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
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