Preface

Throughout my 20-year career in the fitness industry, during which I’ve owned multiple gyms, coached over 3,500 clients, and guided hundreds of trainers towards excellence in their personal training businesses, I’ve identified significant gaps in the early stages of Personal Training education. From the smallest training providers resting on the laurels of long-past glories to big corporations overwhelming newcomers with academic jargon and complexity, the landscape of Personal Training education is fraught with pitfalls. But perhaps the most glaring gap lies in the absence of practical, hands-on learning.

I wrote this book to bridge these gaps. The aim was to provide in-depth knowledge in an easy-to-comprehend format that exceeds the minimal requirements for personal trainers, creating a fundamental manual to which they can return whenever they need to revisit a particular topic.

Since we cater to existing personal fitness trainers looking to upgrade their fundamental certification and expand their knowledge in line with the latest trends and evidence and those embarking on personal trainer careers or transitioning into the fitness industry from other jobs, this book represents a valuable resource from the beginner to the existing trainer. This book will provide you with a solid understanding of the work of a personal fitness trainer and give you a proven system for success in your chosen career.

A heartfelt thank you goes to my dear friend and long-time mentor, Phil Learney, who constantly urged me to expand my knowledge. To my wife and co-author, Jasmina Potrc, who has always been my rock and unwavering believer in the transformative power of high-quality trainer education. I am also indebted to my fitness industry colleagues Luke Leaman, Phil Graham, Dr. Brad Schoenfeld, Dr. Brad Dieter, and my dear friend Zdravko Strnisa, whose influential contributions have shaped this book.

This book was inspired mainly by my time as a COO for a smaller training provider, during which I attempted to update their outdated learning materials and course outlines. This experience emphasized the pressing need for a different approach to personal trainer certification.

As a personal trainer for over two decades, I have experienced the wins and frustrations of this industry. I hope that the insights I’ve gained and those from trusted experts will inspire a new generation of trainers to go the extra mile and distinguish themselves in a saturated yet non-competitive market.

My greatest wish is to provide as much value to existing and future Personal Trainers as possible, thus paving their way to a successful and rewarding career in the Fitness Industry.