The Show Up Fitness Podcast

Chris Hitchko, CEO Show Up Fitness
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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. 9h ago

    How to train a 71-yr old hip replacement w/ programming & screens

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! A 71-year-old former physician breaks his hip, skips physical therapy because of what he was told, and still walks in with big goals: stronger legs, better balance, and a confident return to skiing, golf, and tennis. That’s the kind of client who can either pull you into overthinking or push you toward a simple, professional framework that actually works. We talk through how we handle that first meeting so the client feels safe, respected, and impressed without us pretending to be the medical provider. We start with what you can see and measure right away: gait, sit-to-stand, confidence, basic single-leg balance, and how the hip tolerates flexion, abduction, and rotation. Then we build a session around the fundamentals: squat, hinge, and unilateral work with smart regressions like TRX squats, box squats, step-downs, bridges, and standing hinge options. We also share how to layer in balance progressions and mobility work without turning the workout into a random grab bag of drills. From there, we zoom out to the long game: progressive overload for strength and bone mineral density, realistic timelines, and avoiding so much volume that the client can’t hike or live their life the next day. We also get into business: how having physical therapists “on your team” changes your confidence, your coaching decisions, and your referral network, plus practical outreach ideas you can use today. If you coach older adults, train post-surgery clients, or want a clearer screening and programming process, listen through and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. 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

  2. 4d ago

    How to Get Personal Training Clients on the Gym Floor (Without Being Salesy)

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! HOW TO GET PERSONAL TRAINING CLIENTS ON THE GYM FLOOR 💪 Most personal trainers struggle to get clients because they don't know how to approach gym members, build relationships, or confidently sell their services. Getting certified is EASY. Building a successful personal training career earning $10K+ per month? That's a different story. At SHOW UP FITNESS (SUF-CPT), we've helped trainers get hired at Life Time, Equinox, and other elite gyms across the country. In October alone, we helped 15 coaches get placed as personal trainers or personal training leaders. In today's episode, we're breaking down how to get personal training clients on the gym floor WITHOUT being pushy, awkward, or sounding like a used car salesman. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: 💪 How to approach gym members without being salesy 🤝 The best icebreakers to start conversations on the gym floor 💰 How to confidently charge $100–$150+ per session 🧠 Why anatomy, assessments, and programming build credibility 🏋️ How to turn casual conversations into consultations and paying clients 📈 How to build a schedule of 20–30+ sessions per week 🔥 The biggest mistakes new personal trainers make when trying to get clients CERTIFIED ≠ QUALIFIED. At Show Up Fitness, we teach trainers how to master the skills that actually matter: anatomy, programming, assessments, sales, and building relationships. 🚀 WANT TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL TRAINER? Join our Become a Successful Trainer community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/become-a-successful-trainer/about ✅ NASM CPT 30-day study roadmap ✅ Exclusive anatomy and programming videos ✅ Live Q&A and mentorship opportunities ✅ Copy of my book, How to Become a Successful Personal Trainer Vol. 2, shipped to you ✅ Learn how to get hired at Life Time and Equinox Whether you're studying for NASM, ACE, ISSA, or already working as a personal trainer, this episode will help you develop the confidence to approach clients and build a successful career. COMMENT BELOW: What's your biggest struggle getting personal training clients? KEEP SHOWING UP. #PersonalTrainer #PersonalTraining #GymSales #ShowUpFitness #SUFCPT 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

  3. 6d ago

    Pass NASM in 30-days: The 20-muscles you NEED to know 2026/27

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Join our skool to pass in 30-days: https://www.skool.com/become-a-successful-trainer/about 20 Muscles You MUST Know to Pass the NASM CPT Exam in 30 Days Want to pass your NASM CPT exam in 30 days or less? Stop memorizing the entire textbook and start focusing on what actually matters! In today's episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we're breaking down the 20 essential muscles every NASM CPT student needs to know, including the most commonly tested overactive and underactive muscles. If you're struggling with anatomy, the Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA), or NASM's Corrective Exercise Continuum, this episode will help simplify your studying. 🔥 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ The 20 muscles you need to know for the NASM CPT exam ✅ Common overactive and underactive muscles ✅ How to identify muscle imbalances during the Overhead Squat Assessment ✅ The difference between agonists, antagonists, and synergists ✅ How NASM uses the OPT Model and corrective exercise concepts ✅ Why most students waste time studying the wrong material ✅ How to create a 30-day study plan to pass your NASM CPT 🚨 PASS NASM IN 30 DAYS WITH SHOW UP FITNESS! Join our Become a Successful Personal Trainer Skool community for just $47/month. Inside you'll get: 💪 A structured 30-day NASM study roadmap 📚 Exclusive NASM study videos and anatomy tutorials 📖 A copy of my book, How to Become a Successful Personal Trainer, Volume 2, shipped to you 🎯 Guidance on passing your NASM CPT exam 🧠 Programming, assessments, and anatomy lessons 💰 Business and sales strategies to help you get clients and become a successful trainer ❓ Access to our community to ask questions and get support JOIN OUR SKOOL COMMUNITY: https://www.skool.com/become-a-successful-trainer/about CERTIFIED VS. QUALIFIED Passing a multiple-choice certification exam doesn't automatically make you a qualified personal trainer. At Show Up Fitness, we teach the three areas trainers need to master to become successful: Business: Get clients, improve sales, and build a profitable career.People: Communicate, build relationships, and retain clients.Technical: Master anatomy, assessments, and programming for clients experiencing pain.We've helped over 10,000 trainers prepare for certifications, and our mission is to change the personal training industry through hands-on education and mentorship. Stop studying harder. Start studying smarter. Keep Showing Up! #NASMCPT #NASMExam #NASMStudyGuide #PersonalTrainerCertification #NASM2026 #ShowUpFitness #PersonalTrainer #Anatomy #NASMOPT 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

  4. Oct 27

    Ep. 420 How to Build a Workout Program for Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Clients

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Your “beginner” client might be a former athlete who’s deconditioned, or a total newcomer who’s never learned how to hinge. Either way, the fastest path to results is not flashy workouts or internet-approved lifts. We walk through a practical strength training framework built on movement patterns: squat, hinge, lunge, unilateral work, plus upper body push and pull. When you can see the pattern, you can choose the right starting exercise and the right next step without guessing.  We get specific on coaching and regressions that actually transfer. You’ll hear how we think about bodyweight squats vs TRX support, why a counterbalance load can clean up form, and how range of motion itself becomes a progression. For hinging, we talk bridges, cueing the posterior chain, and simple constraints that keep knees from drifting forward. On the upper body side, we break down push-up progression without shortcuts, including why hands on a bar can beat wall work for wrist comfort, and why knee push-ups often remove the very core and hip tension you need to build.  Then we zoom out to the real craft of personal training: matching intensity, volume, and exercise selection to the human standing in front of you. We dig into why “bro” standards like back squat, bench, and deadlift are optional tools, not mandatory rites of passage, and how misreading intensity can lead to injuries, lawsuits, and clients who disappear. The goal is Goldilocks programming: challenging enough to feel valuable, safe enough to repeat, and clear enough that clients understand what success looks like over six months.  If you coach clients, train yourself, or just want a smarter beginner workout plan, this will give you a system you can use tomorrow. Subscribe for more, share this with a coach who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest struggle: is it selecting exercises, cueing form, or progressing intensity? 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

  5. Oct 21

    How to Train Clients With Shoulder Pain | Assessments, Exercises & Programming

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! A client comes back from vacation with a shoulder that’s “acting up” and the real question isn’t which exercise is best, it’s whether we should be training at all. We walk through the simple screening process we use to decide if something is within a trainer’s scope: quick range of motion checks, a brief strength hold, and the red flags that mean we refer out immediately. No guessing, no diagnosing, just a clear decision tree that protects the client. From there, we get practical. We talk about why pain is multifactorial (yes, you can lift heavy all weekend and still tweak something from a sneeze), how we set expectations, and why soft tissue work can help by calming the nervous system. Then we lay out the training flow: isometrics first, then controlled dynamic work, then progressive loading. You’ll hear how we choose step-ups to keep training momentum, scale push-ups on a bar, use planks with active coaching, and apply a “pain ceiling” rule so discomfort doesn’t turn into a setback. We also dig into what real professionalism looks like: texting the client the next day, dosing work instead of chasing fatigue, and bringing in a DPT for a second opinion when it increases safety and confidence. We share how to build a referral network with physical therapists, why you respect their guidance as gold, and a cautionary story that shows what happens when intensity replaces process. If you coach clients with shoulder pain, rotator cuff irritation, or persistent “tweaks,” this will sharpen your screening, your programming, and your referral instincts. Subscribe, share this with a coach who needs it, and leave a review with your go-to rule for when you refer out. 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

  6. Oct 19

    Does Training With a Personal Trainer Build More Muscle? | Supervised vs. Unsupervised Training

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! Instructor Adam Baldwin breaks down the following article from Dr. Brad Schoenfeld website Look Great Naked:  https://www.lookgreatnaked.com/blog/does-supervision-during-resistance-training-enhance-increases-in-muscle-strength-and-size/?utm_source=chatgpt.com If you’ve ever wondered whether personal training is “just accountability,” the data might surprise you. We dig into a Brad Schoenfeld lab study that tests a simple but loaded question: do trained lifters get better strength and muscle growth when they’re supervised during resistance training? The program is basic, the difference is the coaching, and the results have big implications for anyone who lifts and anyone who trains clients for a living.  We walk through how the study is set up, what changes between supervised and unsupervised groups, and what actually moves the needle: effort, technique, and adherence. We talk about volitional failure, the Hawthorne effect (people try harder when they’re being watched), and why so many lifters stop when it burns instead of when they’re truly close to their limit. If you coach, you’ll hear practical ways to gauge reps in reserve, keep form honest, and help clients train hard without turning every session into a grind.  Then we zoom out to the real-world payoff: accountability reduces dropouts, consistency creates results, and that’s the foundation of what clients are buying when they pay premium rates. We also cover smart guardrails for beginners (don’t bury new clients with failure training), plus a point many trainers miss: enjoyment is a programming variable, because people push harder and show up longer for lifts they actually like.  If this helped you rethink coaching, share it with a trainer friend, subscribe, and leave a five-star review so more lifters find it. What’s one thing that makes you train harder: supervision, a partner, or pure internal drive? 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. Oct 17

    Couples Training - How to Program Workouts for Different Clients CROSSFIT | Personal Trainer Road to $10K/Month

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! How to Program Workouts for ANY Client | $10K/Month Personal TrainerWant to become a successful personal trainer making $10K per month? It starts with learning how to assess clients, write effective workout programs, and confidently deliver results. In today's episode of the Show Up Fitness Podcast, we're breaking down how to program workouts for two very different clients: a CrossFit athlete and an intermediate fitness client. Most personal training certifications teach you anatomy, terminology, and how to pass a multiple-choice exam. But can you actually build a personalized strength training program for different clients? What you'll learn in this episode: How to assess clients before writing their workout programs.How to program for a CrossFit athlete versus an intermediate client.How to use the SUF Core-Core-Accessory (CCA) programming model.How to select exercises, sets, reps, intensity, and progression based on client goals.Common programming mistakes personal trainers make.How to become a more confident trainer, charge $100+ per session, and build toward a $10K/month personal training business.The difference between a certified trainer and a qualified trainer is the ability to APPLY what you know. At Show Up Fitness, we teach aspiring and experienced personal trainers how to assess, program, sell personal training, and build successful careers through hands-on education, live mentorship, and our three certifications: SUF-CPT: Certified Personal Trainer. Learn anatomy, assessments, programming, sales, and business development. SUF-STM: Soft Tissue Mobilization. Learn how to assess and program for clients experiencing pain while collaborating with physical therapists. SUF-NC: Nutrition Coach. Learn nutrition coaching, behavior change, and how to create additional revenue streams with registered dietitians. Whether you're studying for NASM, ACE, or ISSA, working at Life Time or Equinox, or building your own independent personal training business, this episode will help you become a more confident and qualified fitness professional. Ready to become a $10K/month personal trainer? Explore our certifications, hands-on seminars, and mentorship at ShowUpFitness.com. SHOW UP FITNESS — Where Qualified Trainers Are Made. #PersonalTrainer #WorkoutProgramming #PersonalTrainingCertification #StrengthTraining #NASMCPT #ShowUpFitness #PersonalTrainerBusiness A client texts the night before and asks a simple question that can wreck your plan: “Can my friend join tomorrow?” That moment exposes whether you’re following a script or whether you can actually coach. We talk through what it looks like to stay composed, set expectations, and deliver a great personal training session even when you’re walking in cold with a brand-new person.  We share a real scenario from the gym: a long-time client brings a friend who does CrossFit, trains hard, and shows up with a totally different engine than the regular client. From the first quick intake question to the assumptions we all make about “CrossFit conditioning,” we explain how to gather the right information fast and avoid getting intimidated by high-intensity training culture. We also dig into the practical coaching problem that matters most: two bodies, two fitness levels, one room, one session goal.  You’ll hear how we use simple programming principles to scale on the spot by progressing or regressing movements, adjusting load and volume, and keeping the workout coherent. We also explain why you don’t always need to force every piece of the plan and how a framework like CCA helps you adapt without losing the point of the day. If you coach clients, train in a group setting, or just want smarter workout scaling, this conversation will help you think like a professional.  Subscribe for more real coaching lessons, share this with a trainer who’s always rewriting workouts at the last minute, and leave a review telling us: what’s the toughest “surprise” you’ve had to program around? 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

  8. Oct 15

    Can Personal Trainers Train Clients in Pain? When to Stop & Refer Out by Dr. Rob Letizia

    Send us a text if you want to be on the Podcast & explain why! A trainer's guide to the "I tweaked my hamstring" Monday By Dr. Rob Letizia, PT, DPT, Owner, Spectrum Therapeutics, Wayne, NJ Article from Rob on Show Up Fitness Website to become a personal trainer: https://www.showupfitness.com/blogs/blog/when-do-we-stop-when-can-we-train-around-it-when-do-we-refer-out Your client walks in at 7 a.m., points to the back of their thigh, and says the line every trainer eventually hears: “I tweaked my hamstring.” You’ve got about 30 seconds to decide what today looks like, and the wrong default either loads a real injury or teaches your client you’re useless the moment something hurts. We lay out a clear, repeatable hamstring injury management framework that keeps you in your scope while still delivering real value. We break down the four questions that drive the whole decision: the exact mechanism, pain behavior patterns, current load tolerance, and whether symptoms are better, worse, or flat since it happened. Then we add fast “load checks” you can run in minutes, comparing the injured side to the good side using bridges and hinge patterns to find a safe entry point for training. You’ll also get a binary red flag list that ends the session immediately, plus practical language for explaining a referral so it feels professional instead of scary. From there, we give you a trainer-friendly return to training plan built on a pain ceiling (keep it mild and stable) and a 24-hour check (back to baseline by next morning). You’ll learn a four-stage progression from settling symptoms and staying active, to mid-range strength, to long-length eccentric work that prevents repeat tweaks, and finally reintroducing speed and the exact sport movement. We also zoom out to the bigger advantage: building a relationship with a physical therapist, paying their hourly rate, staying involved during treatment, and turning “injury moments” into long-term trust and referrals. Subscribe, share this with a trainer friend, and leave a review so more coaches stop guessing and start doing right by their clients. 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

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5
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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
    423
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Show Up Fitness Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Show Up Fitness Podcast

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