Ryan Ketchum describes the five stages of a fitness business owner’s journey as an individual transitions from a fitness professional to a fitness business owner.

Professional standards can differ from gym-to-gym, studio-to-studio, and personal trainer-to-personal trainer, but all professional personal trainers can benefit from focusing on specific goals.

Bridge the Gap Lecture: Syncing Components – Multi-Directional & Physical Preparation

Learn training principles for general physical preparation of swimmers, and understand how to utilize weekly planning to best aid in the expression of physical performance. Keenan Robinson also discusses how to differentiate between readiness strategies to best apply stress in this session from the NSCA’s 2017 National Conference.

How to Use and Not be Used by Fitness Technologies

This article in PTQ 11.4 shares content on exercise programs for seniors. Visit NSCA online to read articles on fitness news, personal training and more.

Mentorship isn’t flawless — and that’s where its power lies. Erik Hernandez, Associate Director for Sports Performance – Olympic Sports at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, has built his career on turning imperfect scenarios into lasting lessons for athletes and young coaches alike. For over 14 years at UNC, he has guided lacrosse, volleyball, and golf, adapting his voice to each culture while holding firm to shared standards of accountability and growth. Hernandez streamlines training into a three-phase model — explosive, strength, and remedial — yet emphasizes that delivery and communication matter more than complexity. He reminds athletes, “modifications are part of progress,” linking health, recovery, and seasonal demands to long-term development. For interns and early-career coaches, his advice is clear: earn mentors by serving others, and learn from every scenario, even the imperfect ones. Hear how mentorship, adaptability, and athlete health point the way forward for stronger teams and longer careers. Reach out to Coach Hernandez on Instagram: @hernandezstrength or by email: ehhernan@email.unc.edu | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Answer Bryan Mann’s “call to arms!” Many volunteer applications are open now through December 15. Step up and give back to your strength and conditioning community at NSCA.com/Volunteer.

This article explains the use of structured functional fitness programs for injury prevention and enhanced job performance in fire service personnel.

NATCON 22

Phil Kaplan spoke at the NSCAs 2012 Personal Trainer Conference about how personal trainers can really be the link between fitness and medicine.