The Strength Coach Podcast

Is the back squat actually holding your adult clients back from their best results?
In this episode of the Strength Coach Podcast, legendary coach Mike Boyle dives deep into why he considers certain staple exercises to be the biggest mistakes in adult fitness programming.
Join host Anthony Renna as he explores the controversial takes that have kept Coach Boyle at the forefront of the industry for decades.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off First Place Fitness matss and check out the new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence. 
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In this episode, we break down the death of the back squat and why unilateral training is often the superior choice for longevity and athletic performance. Mike shares his list of the dumbest exercises for adults, including his thoughts on RDLs, hip thrusts, and the hidden dangers of sprinting for the average gym-goer. Pete Dupuis from Business for Unicorns to discuss a common pitfall for gym owners: confusing client attendance with true retention.

Whether you are a personal trainer, strength coach, or gym owner, this conversation offers a masterclass in training philosophy and business strategy. Learn how to navigate the modern world of social media education while staying true to functional training principles that actually work.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Sponsor Updates
3:12 Retention vs Attendance with Pete Dupuis
6:28 Mike Boyle on the Back Squat Debate
9:45 Why Goblet Squats and Single Leg Training Win
13:30 Ranking the Dumbest Exercises for Adults
17:15 The Risks of Sprinting for Joe from Accounting
21:40 Success in 2026 Writing Speaking and Social Media
25:50 Dealing with Instagram Trolls and Criticism
28:15 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap Up

If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! You can find more resources and upcoming seminar dates at the links provided in our channel bio.

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):
Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book
Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm
Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/
Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

Stop guessing about your adult clients fitness and start prioritizing what actually matters for longevity. In this episode, legendary coach Mike Boyle breaks down why VO2 Max training is no longer optional and how to integrate it without sacrificing strength gains. It is time to move past the performative antics and focus on the actual science of health span.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off Mini-bands and Superbad’s and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence.

We dive deep into the essential shift toward cardiovascular health for the aging population. Coach Boyle explains how to use Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) to prescribe precise intervals that actually move the needle on fitness. We also tackle the technical side of movement, specifically why the industry might be over-complicating regressions like the half-kneeling position when standing might actually be the better starting point for most adults.

The conversation shifts to the eternal debate of the trap bar deadlift versus the squat. Is it just semantics, or does the distinction change how we check the bilateral strength box? Finally, we address the rise of performative coaching culture in collegiate sports. From removing light dumbbells to choreographed game day lifts, Boyle pulls no punches on why these antics are turning strength coaches into court jesters and what professional training should really look like.

Chapters
0:00 Intro and Perform Better Updates 
3:15 Training Adult Clients for Longevity 
7:45 VO2 Max and Cardiovascular Health 
11:20 Programming Intervals with MAS 
15:00 The Reality of the Norwegian 4x4 
9:15 Half-Kneeling vs Standing Power Training 
22:45 Defining the Deadlift and Trap Bar Nuance 
26:30 The Problem with Performative Coaching 
29:15 Final Thoughts and Hockey Talk

If you want to elevate your coaching game and stay ahead of industry trends, make sure to visit StrengthCoach.com for more expert insights and resources. Subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Strength Coach Podcast.

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):
Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book
Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm
Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/
Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

In this episode of The Strength Coach Podcast, Mark Fisher joins host Anthony Renna to break down how artificial intelligence is changing the way smart gym owners operate their businesses. From saving hours every week to improving decision making and marketing execution, Mark explains how even small technical shifts can create massive material gains over the course of a year.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off Mini-bands and Superbands and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence.

Mark Fisher, co-founder of Business for Unicorns, shares how top fitness professionals are using AI tools to work smarter, not harder. While AI may feel overhyped in the short term, Mark explains why it is still one of the most powerful tools gym owners can adopt to create long-term growth.
In this conversation, Mark and Anthony explore practical ways gym owners can use AI today. From generating marketing first drafts to analyzing complex financial statements and insurance paperwork, AI can function like a pocket expert that helps business owners troubleshoot problems faster and make more informed decisions.
Beyond the technology, the discussion also highlights the timeless fundamentals of building a great fitness business. Mark explains why visiting other gyms is still one of the most powerful learning tools available and why successful multi-location owners tend to focus on operational excellence rather than flashy marketing tactics.
Whether you are a solo personal trainer or running multiple gym locations, this episode delivers practical insights on leveraging technology while staying grounded in the fundamentals of great coaching and business leadership.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:
-Why AI might feel overhyped but still delivers long-term business advantages
-Practical ways gym owners can use AI for marketing and operations
-The difference between automation, delegation, and artificial intelligence
-Using AI to analyze financial documents and complex business systems
-Why visiting other gyms is still one of the best learning strategies
-The realities of scaling to multiple gym locations

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):
Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book
Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm
Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/
Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro and the Truth About AI for Gym Owners
3:45 The Power of In-Person Connections and Gym Visits
8:15 Why Networking Still Beats Digital Bits
12:30 Automations vs Delegations vs AI
16:10 Using AI for First Drafts and Marketing
20:45 ChatGPT vs Claude for Fitness Professionals
24:20 AI as a Strategy Analysis Tool
28:50 Personal AI Use Cases for Health and Finance
32:15 Troubleshooting Your Life with a Pocket Expert
36:40 Budgeting for AI and Choosing Your Models
40:20 Synthesizing Data and Summarizing Systems
44:10 Scaling to Multiple Locations The Boring Basics
48:30 Lessons from Closing a Gym Location
51:45 Conclusion and Resources

Want more coaching insights?
Check out STRENGTHCOACH.COM and MBSC.TV for a 7-day free trial. Join the community and take your coaching to the next level with resources from the top experts in the industry.

Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes of The Strength Coach Podcast!

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OR A LEADER IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY? 

In this episode of The Strength Coach Podcast, legendary coach Mike Boyle joins Anthony Renna to dive deep into why being evidence-based might be holding you back and why Zone 2 Cardio is currently the most overrated trend online. We explore the balance between scientific research and real-world coaching experience to help you become a better trainer, therapist, or business owner.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off PB Extreme Soft Toss Med Balls and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence. 

Coach Boyle shares his take on the limitations of the evidence-based crowd and explains why innovation often happens in the gym long before the studies are published. We also discuss the practical use of isometrics and how a simple belt strap can transform your summer programming for athletes and general population clients alike. Plus, Mark Fisher from Business for Unicorns joins us to talk about marketing for gym owners who are struggling with stalled growth.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:

-Why Zone 2 is the overrated darling of the internet
-The difference between being evidence-based and being a follower
-Marketing strategies for gym owners and the importance of a time audit
-Programming isometrics using the Zero RM ISO belt strap
- News on the MBSC Spring Seminar and hockey performance insights

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):
**Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE- (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book)
**Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE (https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm)
**Follow BFU on Instagram HERE (https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/)
**Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing)

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro and Perform Better Updates
3:20 Fitness Business Power Play: Stalled Growth
7:15 MBSC Spring Seminar and BU Hockey Talk
11:45 Why Zone 2 Cardio is the Darling of the Internet
16:00 The Truth About Being Evidence-Based
21:30 Innovation vs Following the Research
26:10 Rethinking Squats and Unilateral Training
30:00 How to Properly Read and Filter Research
34:20 Using the Zero RM ISO Belt Strap
37:45 Programming Yielding and Overcoming Isometrics
39:58 Conclusion

Want More Coaching Insights? 

Check out STRENGTHCOACH.COM and MBSC.TV for a 7-day free trial. Join the community and take your coaching to the next level with resources from the top experts in the industry.

Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes of The Strength Coach Podcast!

Episode 434 of the Strength Coach Podcast, “Becoming the Unshakeable Female Athlete” is out.

Female athletes face a significantly higher risk of ACL tears compared to their male counterparts, but physiological differences are only part of the story.

In this episode, we explore the shocking training gap that leaves young women vulnerable to injury and discuss actionable strategies to keep them safe on the field.
Discover how to shift the focus from early specialization to long-term athletic development and build unshakable confidence.

Welcome to Episode 434 of the Strength Coach Podcast with your host Anthony Renna.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off PB Extreme Soft Toss Med Balls and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence. 

Today we are joined by Justin Kegley, performance coach and founder of Movement Fitness.
Justin recently released his new book “Becoming the Unshakable Female Athlete”, available in dedicated versions for both parents and athletes. 

We dive deep into why female athletes are still seeing a rise in ACL injuries. We examine physiological factors like the Q-angle and joint laxity, combined with the heavy loads of modern club sports.
Shockingly, while 50 percent of male varsity athletes are required to strength train, only 9 percent of female athletes have the same requirement. We discuss how neuromuscular training can close this gap, maximize performance, and dramatically reduce injury risk.

Check out BusinessForUnicorns.com for free resources designed for gym owners and personal trainers.

If you found this episode valuable, please hit the like button and subscribe to the channel for more professional strength and conditioning insights. Drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway on youth athlete development, and share this video with a parent or coach who needs to hear this important message.