What does it mean to be a fitness professional? The idea has become fuzzier in recent years.
PUTTING THE “PRO” IN FITNESS PROFESSIONAL
I could say the difference between a real fitness professional and someone pretending to be one is that the pro actually trains and follows the workouts they promote on their site or social feeds. Or they don’t. I could argue that a true pro is less likely to post ridiculous, circus-like exercises just for attention or validation. You can spot fake trainers by the outlandish routines they publish.
A COMPETENT TRAINER’S PROGRAM
– Trap Bar Deadlift: 3×5
– Pallof Press: 3×10 per side
– Goblet Step-Through: 3×12, 10, 8 per leg
– Pull-Through: 3×12–15
– Goblet Squat (50 lb): 2×AMAP (up to 20)
– Suitcase Carry: 2×40 yd per arm
AN INSTAGRAM PHD’S PROGRAM
– Trap Bar Deadlift: Contrast tempo set vs. chains (from a deficit): 5×10
– 1-Arm Landmine Press with Contralateral Oscillatory Facilitation: 5×10 per side
– Barefoot Walking Lunges Over Broken Glass: 2×400 m
– Or Until Your Pancreas Fails (whichever comes first)
– Pull-Ups: 10×10
– Ice Bath: 10×30 s
I’m being facetious here, but that’s the point. As my friend and colleague, Nick Tumminello, has noted: a master trainer (i.e., a “pro”) can also be called an Exercise Prescription Specialist. A pro has a high level of expertise in:
– Exercise Individualization
– Exercise Application
– Exercise Prioritization
1. EXERCISE INDIVIDUALIZATION
This means figuring out the right stance for someone’s squat. Not everyone has the exact anatomy to squat with a narrow stance and toes straight ahead. Hip anatomy varies a lot, and factors include hip socket depth and orientation, femoral neck orientation, femur length, and more. Expecting everyone to fit one pattern is unreasonable. There are many ways to tailor squat stance.
Individualization also affects grip for the bench press. Someone with sub-acromial pain may benefit from a wider grip to reduce the need for thoracic extension, which can stress the shoulder. A pro pays attention to these details.
2. EXERCISE APPLICATION
Should everyone squat to the same depth? Short answer: no. Hip anatomy varies, and depth should reflect the individual’s goals, injury history, and ability. Some clients squat to the floor, others to parallel, and some above parallel. They all count as a squat. Depth is based on the person, not a fixed standard.
The same goes for sets and reps. How do you choose 3×10 versus 5×5 or 8×3? A pro uses thoughtful, individualized programming rather than a random dartboard method.
3. EXERCISE PRIORITIZATION
Which exercises should come first, which last, and which are done most often? The exact order can vary, but a true pro can clearly explain the reasoning behind each choice.
IN SHORT
What really separates a true fitness professional from an IG PhD is the ability to DESELECT things. A great chef doesn’t use every ingredient; they know what to remove, the order to apply the ingredients, and how much to use.
Biceps.
Biceps.
Yep, you guessed it, biceps.
