The Show Up Fitness Podcast

Chris Hitchko, CEO Show Up Fitness
  • 5.0 (258)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Chris Hitchko, author of 'How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer' VOL 2 and CEO of Show Up Fitness as he guides personal trainers towards success. 90% of personal trainers quit within 12-months in the USA, 18-months in the UK, Show Up Fitness is helping change those statistics. The Show Up Fitness CPT is one of the fastest growing PT certifications in the world with partnerships with over 500-gyms including Life Time Fitness, Equinox, Genesis, EoS, and numerous other elite partnerships.This podcast focuses on refining trade, business, and people skills to help trainers excel in the fitness industry. Discover effective client programming, revenue generation, medical professional networking, and elite assessment strategies. Learn how to become a successful Show Up Fitness CPT at www.showupfitness.com.  Send your questions to Chris on Instagram @showupfitness or via email at info@showupfitness.com."

  1. 2D AGO

    How to network with a DPT | Personal Trainers building TEAMS

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! A physical therapist can be the difference between being “just another trainer” and becoming the coach doctors actually trust. We kick off with a real question from Wayne in Alaska: he found a promising DPT partner, but he’s early in the relationship and doesn’t have clients to refer yet. So how do you grow that connection so you’re the first trainer they think of when a patient needs strength training, return-to-sport work, or long-term accountability? We get blunt about why most PTs hesitate to refer to personal trainers: they hear injury stories tied to messy programming, and they see coaches who can’t speak basic anatomy or pain science. We walk through what “competence” looks like in the real world: knowing core movement patterns, understanding common shoulder and knee issues, and communicating like a professional while staying in your lane on diagnosis. If you want premium personal training clients and a serious referral network, you have to sound safe and credible. Then we share the exact outreach approach that consistently opens doors: DM over email, reference their work, follow up with a call, and show up with coffee. We also explain why paying for a PT assessment yourself can be the smartest “networking” move you’ll ever make, plus how to offer shadowing, bring thoughtful questions, and even train the therapist to demonstrate your program design. The bigger takeaway: stop asking for clients and start building a team of trusted pros around you. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches can build better PT relationships. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    16 min

  2. 2D AGO

    How to start a gym San Francisco Bay Area w/ Glenda ELEVA

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! IG Glenda_garay GYM eleva_fitness_studio Glenda walked into her first gym role with a big goal and a shaky toolkit then built a studio that’s now heading into year three. We sit down with the Eleva Fitness owner from the San Francisco Bay Area to talk about what actually changed her career: investing in education, learning real anatomy and programming, and showing up with a level of coaching presence that makes clients feel safe. When your clients can feel your confidence, retention gets easier, referrals increase, and your value stops being negotiable. We also get honest about box gym culture and what happens when you start leveling up. Glenda shares what it’s like when other trainers compete, criticize, or try to poach clients, and why leaving a toxic environment can be the smartest business move you make. From there we break down gym ownership basics in plain language: rent, pricing, and why multiple revenue streams matter. We dig into a sustainable fitness studio business model where small group training can cover overhead while personal training becomes the profit engine. If you’re searching for how to become a successful personal trainer, how to open a gym, or how to market a personal training studio, you’ll take away practical ideas you can use this month: collaborations, workshops, local partnerships, and the focus required to avoid doing 30 things at once. Listen through to the end for Glenda’s no-nonsense advice on betting on yourself, then subscribe, share the episode with a trainer friend, and leave a quick review so more coaches can find it. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    25 min

  3. 2D AGO

    How to program for a 54 yr old lawyer 42% body fat 260lbs EQUINOX trainer

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! A brand-new Equinox trainer asks a simple question with huge stakes: how do you program for a 54-year-old lawyer who’s 260 pounds, 42% body fat, fresh off a divorce, and dead set on getting to 200? We walk through exactly how we’d run the first two Equifit sessions so the client feels safe, seen, and genuinely excited to come back, not crushed and embarrassed after 15 minutes. We get specific on the assessment that makes you look like a true professional, including why taking blood pressure and resting heart rate is a credibility multiplier and a real service to the client. From there, we map out a “Goldilocks” first workout: warm-up with engagement, smart upper-body work before heavy legs, simple circuits built on push, pull, core, carries, and accessories that keep the session fun without turning it into random chaos. The goal is adherence and momentum, then progressive overload as conditioning improves. Then we shift to the part most trainers avoid: the sit-down conversation that turns a great workout into a committed client. We share how to present personal training packages clearly, why fewer options sell better, and how to add value with bonus sessions, reviews, and referrals while still playing the long game on your career. If you coach with competence and consistency, your rates rise because your results rise. If you got something from this, subscribe, share the episode with a trainer who needs it, and leave a quick rating and review. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    16 min

  4. 5D AGO

    BEST Personal Trainer Certification 2026 | NASM ISSA NSCA SUF

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Personal training certifications look simple until you realize the industry is split between marketing machines, legacy nonprofits, and smaller programs that bet on real skill. We build a March Madness style bracket to compare the big names in fitness certification and then pull the curtain back on what actually drives popularity: ad spend, search results, partnerships with gyms, and how easy it is to pass the exam. If you’re trying to become a personal trainer in 2026, this is the reality check that helps you stop chasing logos and start building a plan. We get blunt about NCCA accreditation and why it often signals process and paperwork more than coaching competence. Then we land on the question that matters most: where do you want to work? Your target gym can dictate your CPT choice, whether that’s a big-box chain, a boutique studio, or a premium club. We also talk about the real career risks for new trainers, including why so many quit in the first year when they don’t know how to assess, program, sell, and communicate with confidence. You’ll leave with practical personal trainer career advice, including a simple interview move that flips skepticism into proof: offering to take a manager through a 60-minute workout and backing your skills. If you want to become hireable, competent, and able to charge more, press play, share this with a future trainer, and leave a review with the gym you’re aiming for next. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    11 min

  5. 5D AGO

    Best Gyms For Personal Trainers to work at | Life Time vs Equinox

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Picking a gym is not a vibe check, it’s a career decision. We build a March Madness bracket of the best places to get hired as a personal trainer in the United States and tell you what the bracket is really measuring: income potential, quality of clients, coaching “reps,” interview standards, and how fast you can grow from new trainer to highly paid professional. If you’ve ever wondered why some trainers struggle to break past low session rates while others climb into premium training fast, the answer is often environment.  We compare budget-friendly, high-volume gyms like Planet Fitness and LA Fitness with higher-end clubs where clients expect more and pay more. We talk real numbers on session pricing, why 30-minute training models (EOS, Anytime, and similar clubs) can sharpen your coaching quickly, and why improving brands like Crunch can be a strong stepping stone. Then we put the two giants head-to-head: Lifetime versus Equinox, including how scheduling and weekly hours can impact your first-month income and your ability to stay in the industry long enough to build a book of business.  We also share a practical challenge: aim for the best gym you can realistically access in your market, especially in major fitness hubs, and surround yourself with strong trainers so your standards rise. If you’re serious about turning fitness into a profession, hit play, share this with a trainer friend who’s job hunting, and subscribe and leave a review so more coaches can find the path faster. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    7 min

  6. MAR 18

    How to Design a Workout for a 13-Year-Old Soccer Player w/ Prehab / Rehab

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! How do you properly train a 13-year-old soccer athlete without risking injury or burnout? In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down exactly how to design a safe, effective workout for a young soccer player, focusing on long-term development—not short-term performance. Whether you’re a personal trainer, coach, parent, or youth athlete, this episode will help you understand how to build strength, speed, and coordination the right way. You’ll learn: How to structure workouts for a 13-year-old athleteThe balance between strength, speed, and skill workWhat to avoid when training young athletesHow to reduce injury risk and support long-term developmentAge-appropriate exercises that actually transfer to soccerThis episode focuses on building a strong foundation for performance, confidence, and durability—so young athletes can improve without being overtrained or pushed too hard too soon. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    24 min

  7. MAR 18

    Knee Anatomy Explained: The 14 Muscles Every Trainer Should Know

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Want to truly understand the knee and pain, not just train around it? In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down knee anatomy in a way that actually applies to real-world training, rehab, and performance. We cover the 14 key muscles around the knee and how they influence stability, movement, and injury risk. Whether you’re a personal trainer, kinesiology student, nurse, physical therapy professional, or coach, this episode will help you connect anatomy to function—so you can better assess, cue, and program for your clients and patients. You’ll learn: The 14 muscles that support and move the kneeHow these muscles impact knee stability and painCommon misunderstandings about knee functionHow to apply anatomy to training and rehab settingsWhy most trainers overlook key structures around the kneeIf you want to level up from basic programming to true movement understanding, this is a must-listen. Want to become a high-level personal trainer? The Show Up Fitness CPT (SUF-CPT) is designed for trainers who want to stand out with real-world coaching skills and career opportunities in top gym environments. Learn more about the SUF-CPT and how to build a successful training career. 📘 Recommended reading: How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer Vol. 2 by Chris Hitchko (available on Amazon) Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    12 min

  8. MAR 18

    How to Go Independent as a Trainer (and Actually Get Clients)

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Are you a personal trainer thinking about going independent—but worried about how to actually get clients? In this episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we break down exactly how to leave the gym, go independent, and build a profitable personal training business without relying on a big box facility. Whether you’re working at a gym like Life Time, Equinox, or 24 Hour Fitness, or you’re already on your own but struggling to grow, this episode covers the real strategies successful independent trainers use to own their clients, increase income, and create freedom. You’ll learn: How to transition from gym employee to independent trainerHow to get clients without working at a gymThe biggest mistakes trainers make when going independentSimple marketing strategies that actually workHow to build a sustainable fitness business (online or in-person)This isn’t theory—this is the real-world blueprint for trainers, coaches, and service professionals who want to stop trading time for sessions and start building a business. If you’re ready to quit the gym, own your clients, and take control of your income, this episode is for you. Become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer vol 2 will help ANY personal trainer turn their passion for fitness into a career. SUF-CPTs make 2-5x more than the average personal trainer with a NASM, ACE, ISSA, NSCA, ACSM personal training certification, That's why the SUF-CPT is the fastest growing and best personal training certification for trainers with our elite partnership with life time fitness and equinox. Want to become a SUCCESSFUL personal trainer? SUF-CPT is the FASTEST growing personal training certification in the world! Want to ask us a question?  Email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show! Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/ Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com

    13 min
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5
out of 5
258 Ratings

About

Join Chris Hitchko, author of 'How to Become A Successful Personal Trainer' VOL 2 and CEO of Show Up Fitness as he guides personal trainers towards success. 90% of personal trainers quit within 12-months in the USA, 18-months in the UK, Show Up Fitness is helping change those statistics. The Show Up Fitness CPT is one of the fastest growing PT certifications in the world with partnerships with over 500-gyms including Life Time Fitness, Equinox, Genesis, EoS, and numerous other elite partnerships.This podcast focuses on refining trade, business, and people skills to help trainers excel in the fitness industry. Discover effective client programming, revenue generation, medical professional networking, and elite assessment strategies. Learn how to become a successful Show Up Fitness CPT at www.showupfitness.com.  Send your questions to Chris on Instagram @showupfitness or via email at info@showupfitness.com."

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Hitchko, CEO Show Up Fitness
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    336
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Show Up Fitness Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Show Up Fitness Podcast

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