Education Sessions

Experience the Balanced Body® training methodology. Train with purpose in this engaging workout that combines strength and mobility training into one balanced equation. Come away with innovative ideas using portable equipment and bodyweight training to bring back to your clients tomorrow!

Kettlebells are useful for all types of training, from rehabilitation to body composition change to improved physical performance. Unfortunately, for many, they can seem intimidating and hard to use. In this session we will explore the strength-based kettlebell movements, get-up, squat and press. You’ll leave with the confidence to use kettlebells safely and the ability to effectively coach these movements and incorporate them into client programs.

Many clients experience shoulder problems like forward-shoulder posture, chronic tightness and rotator cuff impingement. Over time, these issues limit shoulder range of motion and strength and impact the ability to perform many activities of daily living. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how forward shoulder develops and how to create a corrective exercise strategy to restore range of motion, strength and function. You’ll also discover the exercises to eliminate from client programs that perpetuate common shoulder issues.

Mobility, stability and strength are often categorized separately when training clients. However, science suggests that all three are improved more effectively when trained together. In this interactive session, we’ll explore that science and how to incorporate mobility, stability and strength into each client session. We'll then discuss and experience complexes for enhanced function and performance that feature loaded mobility and multidimensional movement techniques. Get ready to walk away with ready-to-use exercises to train the mobility, stability and strength triad.

Many of your clients want to start running but non-stop running may be too much for them. In this session, you will get to peak behind the curtain of one of Northwest Personal Training's most popular—and revenue building—programs. We'll cover interval training strategies that use a variety of tools, from resistance tubing to your own bodyweight. Learn to develop a fun new program that will bring in more money and that you can use to get your clients up and running.

Bring outdoor running gear and come dressed to work out. In the event of poor weather, we will remain indoors.

The weight loss industry is full of misconceptions. Straight from the latest biomedical research, this engaging session will clarify the evidence for healthy and sustained weight loss. This lecture will give you the top 20 science-backed weight management tips to apply to your clients’ programs. Michelle will walk you through how to make suggestions while staying within scope of practice.

Older adults are the greatest and fastest-growing age group on the planet and the most educated and affluent older adult population in history. It makes perfect business sense to focus on this lucrative market. In this session, we’ll clarify the definition of this population and its subgroups. Then, we'll identify the pitfalls personal trainers and gyms should avoid when interacting with them, detail specific and effective marketing and programming strategies and develop a game plan for successfully engaging this group.

Unconscious biases (i.e., implicit biases) are stereotypes about groups of people that individuals form outside their conscious awareness. We all have implicit biases however, these biases are often incompatible with our conscious values. This session will cover the various biases we may have developed throughout our lives, how to recognize them, and how to address them to improve our client relationships and business success.

The deadlift has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past several years. This hands-on session will discuss and identify the biomechanics and technical intricacies of the deadlift for personal trainers and coaches, to help clients and athletes better understand the deadlift and its execution. This presentation will cover the importance of the deadlift and provide a complete analysis of its mechanics and technical intricacies—from both an execution and training perspective.

Did you know that the three most common low-back injuries—herniations, spondylolisthesis and stenosis—need different training strategies? And these strategies are all based upon the position of the pelvis, or “pelvic bias”. Learn what these strategies are, understand the assessments, goals and protocols for each injury, and discover what a neutral spine means for your client with lumbar conditions.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can help clients reach their fitness goals. In this workshop, we will explore the scientific evidence associated with the benefits of HIIT, which include increased fat loss, strength and aerobic and anaerobic fitness. We will then explore different work-to-rest programming options to enhance outcomes. The practical component of the workshop will include exercises using bodyweight, bands and towels so you can learn how to maximize results with minimal equipment.

Help your clients unleash and unlock their inner athlete! In this session, learn to utilize programming techniques and tools to create an athletic-infused and -inspired environment for clients. Leave this session with the keys to designing programs for individual and group formats to take your everyday athletes to the next level daily.

The balance between energy intake and expenditure determines whether there is weight gain, loss or maintenance. The static equation of energy balance—which states that the body energy store is equal to energy intake minus energy expenditure—has provided awareness and confusion for those looking to gain, lose or maintain a certain weight. This session will dive deep into the differences between static and dynamic energy balance equations and how to apply these concepts to client training programs.

Physical transformations require modifications to diet and exercise, but the selected dietary intervention(s) don't always optimally align with exercise regimens, which may diminish success potential. This course will review the energy pathways and how macronutrients support exercise intensity and duration. We will then examine various popular dietary interventions, briefly review some pros and cons and then discuss exercise recommendations and modifications for each diet type.

Do you ever think that you should be reaching more people and making more money? This session, from bestselling author and entrepreneur Doug Harrison, focuses on the mental roadblocks—aka "mind traps"—that keep you and your business from achieving optimal success. Doug, who has helped more than 1,000 businesses go from good to great, will explain the 10 mind traps that entrepreneurs face, how to identify which ones might be hindering you and what you can do to overcome them.

Training multiple clients in a single session is time-saving and financially rewarding. However, working with small groups and providing individualized training for each participant can be difficult. This lecture will help you understand how to program and train multiple clients with varying abilities while combining the specificity of individualized one-on-one training and the fun and social aspects of group fitness. Then, we’ll cover the business aspects of semi-private training, from pricing to marketing.

Conventional core strength and stability training isn’t always the most effective strategy to elicit improvement. People often fail to train up and down the kinetic chain with different movement patterns, resulting in suboptimal core strength and stability. Join Dr. Mike and learn unconventional core training strategies to help clients and athletes achieve next-level performance. He’ll share the importance of power and rotation, core training progressions and program design integration, how to correct common exercise mistakes and more.

This workshop will dive deep into the evidence base for the critical and undeniable benefits of "Instability Resistance Training (IRT)," an important form of strength training for long-term health. With a focus on grip strength, core stability and joint mobility as our three pillars, you'll understand why IRT is impactful for your clients and athletes. Then, you'll learn how to incorporate it into client programs. Plus, we'll tackle strategies to enhance mental performance and mindfulness for an improved mind-body connection. You'll walk away with a new set of tools to develop research-based, innovative and enjoyable client programs.

Many clients participate in activities that require rotational power, such as golf, tennis-, and baseball. Have you ever thought about the transferability of your training to help them better perform their activity of choice? This session will investigate the foundations of rotational power and how to develop it in your clients. You’ll leave with programming and coaching strategies to enhance client rotational power for improved athletic performance.

From dorsiflexion to plantarflexion, the ankle joint dictates how we load and transfer energy when we walk, run or jump. Join functional podiatrist Dr. Emily as she explores the ankle joint complex and some of the most common compensation patterns observed in the client. In this dynamic session, you’ll learn how to assess, mobilize and improve ankle joint function.

Resistance training involves a sequence of shorter, intense bouts of work coupled with recovery between sets. A common approach to determine work-to-recovery ratios is to use the science of anaerobic energy pathways. This approach focuses on effort rather than intensity, which can negatively impact performance and goals. This session provides a comprehensive overview of how each system contributes to energy level and performance so you can design resistance training programs that yield better client results.

Are you ready to boost your studio’s or gym’s personal training revenue? This session will provide instructions and best practices for pricing and programming to maximize profits for personal training business owners and managers. You’ll learn the best approach and options for pricing for personal training services, review effective programming models for personal training departments and strategies for maximizing profits.

While gathering pages of information during a new client intake consultation is common practice, knowing what to do with that information isn't always obvious. This session will cover the basics of a proper client intake and how to use that information to build a well-tailored training program. From PAR-Q to health history to movement screening, learn how to transform intake data into quality programs that address the whole client.

The need for qualified adaptive fitness coaches is on the rise, and you can be at the forefront of helping this population see benefits beyond traditional health outcomes from exercise. Join adaptive fitness trainers and adaptive athletes from DPI Adaptive Fitness for a primer on how to work with this underserved population. You'll learn best practices for running safe, effective and inclusive adaptive programming, how to create accessible spaces regardless of where you train, how to tap into the adaptive market and more.

Join this dynamic and innovative session, brought to you by the author of the recently released book, Functional Core for Women. This workshop features the best and most effective exercises for abdominal and glute activation, sculpting, strengthening, isolation and enhancement. Leave this session with a fresh catalog of exercises and moves that will deliver optimal core benefits to one-on-one and group training clients.

Many clients encounter trauma, disease or stresses to the human movement system, which can alter neuromuscular reflexes and lead to altered length-tension relationships and dysfunction. In this interactive workshop, you will learn positional release techniques (strain/counter strain) and muscle energy techniques to use with clients—while staying within scope of practice—to help increase range of motion, function and neuromuscular efficiency.

The resistance band is a portable, effective and easy-to-use tool for the on-the-go trainer. In this workshop, discover a toolbox of exercises that work the major muscle groups and cover foundational movements. In addition, this session will review correct resistance band mechanics and various exercises to use with one-on-one clients, partners, circuits or small groups.

In this research-based lecture, we will define repetition tempo and discuss its role in time under tension and resistance training adaptations. More specifically, you’ll learn how to select repetition tempos to increase hypertrophy, strength and power. The session will also provide considerations and recommendations for those with cardiovascular fitness goals, weight loss goals, patients with cardiovascular disease and elderly clients.

Clients increasingly want more than just workouts. Are you giving them what they need? In this session, you will discover tools, techniques and tactics to enhance your unique selling proposition. We will also discuss strategies you can implement to help you stand out in any environment. Finally, walk away with clear plans for substantially growing your income without sacrificing your valuable time.

The terms “spinal stability” and “core strength” are often used interchangeably but are they the same? We will define both types of training in detail and explore practical exercises and efficient training protocols to enhance core stability and strength.

In a profession where we're required to maintain the delicate balance between giving clients what they want versus what they need, we must be mindful to focus on engagement over entertainment. In this presentation, we will discuss simple yet effective strategies that maximize client connection and avoid the common pitfalls of confusing entertainment with engagement in fitness service delivery.