Sweat Out; Happiness In!

What's up, Achievers?! Great episode for you all today and stay tuned at the end to hear about a special workshop announcement! In this episode, we cover whether or not working out on an empty stomach is a good idea (1:33). We also go over whether or not your knees can go over your toes during a squat, or if that would be potentially harmful on the knees (6:48). We also discuss how long a personal trainer should expect to have a client stay with them, and we also go over some strategies to maximize that time as well as the value you're bringing to each session (11:08). Finally, we go over an in-house workshop that we will be putting on called Fit101. It's technically after the episode ends (17:42) and it is a workshop we're putting on because so many of you have reached out asking to open up an Achieve in your location. Obviously, we can't do that, but this is the next best thing! You'll learn all the tools you need to figure out how to design your own program, perform all of the major compound and accessory movements (squats, deadlifts, pushing, pulling, core work,etc.) based on the way YOU move, as well as the way to approach your mindset with training and figuring out the best nutritional approach for you. This workshop is geared towards the general public, or for personal trainers who want to gain an understanding on how we coach and interact with our members. You won't want to miss it! Here's the link for more info - early bird ends tomorrow! https://www.achievefitnessboston.com/pages/fit-101-workshop Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles!

What's up, Achievers?! Super fun episode for you all today with a bunch of different topics. The first question was about when and where we incorporate our core training with our members? As a part of the warm up? At the end? Part of the cool down? (3:23). Next, we delved into how a personal trainer for fitness coach can help their client manage negative self-talk (9:00). Lauren also goes into some of her own history with body image issues and what helped her out. Finally, we give our top three peices of advice for someone who is looking to open up a gym, but is anxious about the process (17:11). We hope you enjoyed this episode! Please subscribe if you haven't already, and if you could leave us a review we'd be super grateful! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles!

What's up, Achievers?! A quicker episode for you all today on this rainy Marathon Monday in Boston. In this episode, we cover if working out in the early morning (4 or 5am) a bad idea (2:58). We also talk about the specifics of core training and the difference between maintaining a "neutral" spine vs. having a "hollow body" position. We talk about the benefits of both and when to apply them (7:03). Lastly, we discuss an individual's experience with back pain - specifically sciatica. They've been doing a lot of self care and have been able to keep a lot of the symptoms at bay, but they still experience pain when lifting up their foot and flexing their hip (12:55). We hope this episode helped you out! If it did, we'd really, really appreciate a review on iTunes - it helps us out a lot! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles!

What's up, Achievers! Four questions today on various topics! We delve into the topic of protein and how much you actually need (1:17). We also cover some recommendations for how to approach eating out - specifically in regards to portion control at a tapas restaurant (6:16). We also talk about shoulder pain and how rotator cuff exercises are not the end-all be-all when your shoulder is hurting (12:00). Lastly, we discuss if we've have had any background in business or if we're "naturally" good at it. This one was a fun one to answer so stick around for that! (19:15) We hope you enjoyed this episode! If you have a minute, we'd seriously appreciate a review on iTunes - it would mean a lot! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers?! We've a fun one for you today! We first dive into our mission that we most recently shared on Instagram, as well as our experience at a powerlifting meet with our Achieve Powerlifting team! Then we cover exactly what "supersets" are and how to utilize them appropriately (9:41)! We also discuss whether or not we think kettlebells can be the sole implement in a training program or if you should also include dumbbells and barbells (14:19). Lastly, we go over how long it "should" take to pass your CPT (certified personal trainer exam) and the most important qualities of a good fitness coach (18:11)! We hope you enjoyed this episode! If you did, please subscribe and review us on iTunes! Pretty please! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers?! All right, so we start off by chatting about an interesting observation Lauren has made while interacting with people on Instagram. We delve into what being "fit" looks like as well as how genetics plays the most important role in terms of what your body type will be like. We also cover calf training and if/how it might limit your ankle mobility (9:32). We also talk about squatting and knee pain, and how some doctors tell you to stop squatting altogether! (13:14). Lastly, we cover how to go about putting together a workout program when you can't neccessarily avoid or find a good trainer/coach (19:37). We hope you enjoyed this episode! If you find any value in these, we'd really appreciate if you took the time to leave us a review on iTunes! It helps us out a lot! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers?! Soooooo, Lauren is 13.5 weeks pregnant! We're super excited to finally share the news with you all - 3+ months is a loooong way to go without telling anyone some of the biggest news of your life! Anyways, we announced the news on social media today and of course one of the first questions we received was about how to train through pregnancy (2:36)! We actually had an episode previously (episode 3!) that really delved into the specifics and you can find that here: https://achievingfitness.podiant.co/e/359a28c4cc9e1c/ However, we touched a little bit more on the mental side of things and think both episodes should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect when training through a pregnancy! We also talked about Bulgarian or Rear Foot Elevated Split Squats and what to do if you're cramping in your back leg (11:52). We also cover what muscle knots/adhesions are, where they come from, and how to get rid of them (14:19). Finally, we recommend our favorite fitness and business books (20:17)! We hope this episode provided you with some good information! If it did, we'd love for you to leave an iTunes review - we read everyone and really appreciate it! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Jason and Lauren

What's up, Achievers?! We've got some good questions in today! The first one was asking about what "ab" exercises were good for someone with a "bad back". The question depends quite a bit on each individual person, but we gave the best answer we could (2:34)! Next up, we received a question from a new parent who asked where to start back up on a fitness and nutrition routine (6:15). Lastly, we discuss whether or not we think you need a kinesiology/exercise physiology degree to pursue a career in personal training. We also cover how to go about starting a PT gig! Thanks so much for listening and special thanks to MaxineLG, c00k1k10, and loverboi09 for leaving some awesome review on iTunes! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers?! Another fun episode for you today! In this one we go over whether or not we recommend creatine for women looking to gain lean muscle mass (2:31). We also talk about our thoughts on the IT Band and if it's even possible to stretch it, and how we'd recommend training if you have IT Band pain as a runner - or a lifter for that matter (5:11)! We also cover fitness information overload as a personal trainer/fitness coach, and where to begin sorting through all of the information available (10:42). Lastly, we answer two rapid-fire questions (17:11) on how to set up the Leg Press machine optimally as well as how to address wrist pain during lat pulldowns. The wrist stretch video we talk about is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grl61Eym9go&t=2s Also, final shoutout about our April Kickstart challenge! Registration ends this Wednesday - for more information check out this link: https://www.achievefitnessboston.com/collections/achieve-collection/products/spring-kick-start-challenge We hope this episode helped you out! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers? We've got another great episode for you today! We touch upon why we often don't wear shoes while we workout. We also discuss how to deal with hunger when going on a calorie restricted diet (4:06). We cover exactly how to get your glutes to fire if you're having difficulty activating them during squats/lunges/deadlifts/etc. (11:16). Finally, we talk about the career of personal training, and how to avoid the burnout that plagues so many fitness coaches! (16:06) P.S Here's the link to our Spring Kickstart Challenge (again, not a weight loss challenge!) that starts on April 2nd. It lasts for 28 days and registration ends this coming Monday, the 26th! https://www.achievefitnessboston.com/collections/achieve-collection/products/spring-kick-start-challenge Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles!

What's up, Achievers?! Episode 30! We've got some tips for you today to cover what equipment you would need for a home gym as well as how to put together a home workout program (4:12). We also go over the pros and cons of Box Squatting - what the exercise is, who it's for, and if we recommend them to the general population (13:50). The next two questions are primarily personal trainer/fitness coach focused: We talk about how to develop a close relationship with your personal training clients and gym members without crossing that professional line (16:30). Lastly, we discuss our thoughts on camera gear and what should be prioritized in social media (21:06). My camera currently is a Canon 80D, Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Lens, and a Rode VideoMic Pro. In the past, I have recommended a Canon Rebel T7i, Tokina 11-16mm lens, and a Rode VideoMic Go for newer users. For brand new people who just want a point and shoot the Canon G7x or the Sony RX100 Mark IV are incredible cameras in a compact setting. We hope this video helped you out! Please send in any questions via DM to @achievefitnessboston on Instagram and please, please, please leave us a review on iTunes - we'd really appreciate it :) Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles!

What's up, Achievers?! A mega episode for you today for all you fitness coaches, gym owners, and clinic owners out there! We get a TON of business questions and requests for consultations out there so we decided to give you a full episode on all things fitness business! Lauren and I cover our top 3 marketing strategies as well as our thoughts on how to best spread your message and brand on social media! Having said that, we also talked at length about how "lead-gen" and "marketing" and "social media" are all super "sexy" topics to talk about and focus on; however, these are all moot points if your client or member experience is not up to snuff. Four books we referenced to help out with this are: Raving Fans, The Starbucks Experience, The Nordstrom Way, and Delivering Happiness. Finally, while this is a great starting point, we couldn't possibly cover everything we wanted to in detail. If you're looking for more contextual or individualized advice, please DM us on Instagram @achievefitnessboston for more information on our business consults or you can check this link: https://www.achievefitnessboston.com/collections/achieve-collection/products/60-minute-phone-consultation We hope you enjoyed this episode! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers?! Fun episode for you all today along with a couple funny stories about Lauren when she tried Intermittent Fasting ;). Today, we delve in to the Whole30 and other restrictive, "elimination" style diets (2:34) We also cover realistic goal setting and how we approach it with our members (8:29) Lastly, we discuss FRC by Andrea Spina and our favorite fitness expos (performbetter.com) for the year...(15:28) We hope you enjoy the show! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason P.S: We're super excited to announce a workshop we're putting on with our coaches - it's called Fit101. There's just so much information, especially misinformation, out there regarding health, fitness, and nutrition that it can be really overwhelming to know where to start. We know exactly what works in real life, because we actually work with people on a daily basis! We have a gym with 250 members, and we will show you the same principles and concepts we discuss with them on a daily basis. You can check it out with the link below - make sure to sign up before the early bird deadline ends on March 15th! https://www.achievefitnessboston.com/collections/achieve-collection/products/fit-101-workshop

What's up, Achievers! We're super excited to announce a workshop we're putting on with our coaches - it's called Fit101. There's just so much information, especially misinformation, out there regarding health, fitness, and nutrition that it can be really overwhelming to know where to start. We know exactly what works in real life, because we actually work with people on a daily basis! We have a gym with 250 members, and we will show you the same principles and concepts we discuss with them on a daily basis. You can check it out with the link below - make sure to sign up before the early bird deadline ends on March 15th! https://www.achievefitnessboston.com/collections/achieve-collection/products/fit-101-workshop In this episode we also discuss how to continue on with a workout routine if you move on from your gym or fitness coach/personal trainer (2:48). It can be pretty itimidating to move on alone so we discuss some strategies to alleviate the process! We also cover our thoughts on how to breathe while squatting/deadlifting and if we recommend weight belts or not (10:21). Lastly, we talk about the StrongFirst certification and whether or not it is complementary or a competing ideology to a CPT or CSCS certification (18:51). We hope this episode helped you out! If it did, make sure to subscribe to us! Also, we'd really appreciate a review if you ever get a moment - it would seriously help us out! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles! Lauren and Jason

What's up, Achievers?! We've got a great episode lined up for you today! The first topic is about how to overcome weight room intimidation. A lot of people are now understanding that strength training and lifting weights are really beneficial, but intimidation and fear of judgement are what holds them back from actually committing to hitting the gym. We discuss some strategies to help you out! We also take cover how to create your own workout program. While we could talk for a week straight on all things programming, this will give you a great starting point. Lastly, we discuss what you should charge, if anything, when you're first starting out as a new personal trainer or fitness coach. We also announce a new workshop we're holding called Fit101! This will be an in-house workshop where we take a deep dive into what we teach to our members at Achieve, and give you all the tools you need to succeed on your fitness journey. We're super excited for this because we will be running it with our whole team of coaches, and it will be the first official workshop of our own that we've put on as a gym. It's sure to be a special experience so don't miss out! We'll be posting it soon so keep a look out! Until next time, Peace, Love, and Muscles!