Is the back squat actually holding your adult clients back from their best results?

In this episode of the Strength Coach Podcast, legendary coach Mike Boyle dives deep into why he considers certain staple exercises to be the biggest mistakes in adult fitness programming.

Join host Anthony Renna as he explores the controversial takes that have kept Coach Boyle at the forefront of the industry for decades.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
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In this episode, we break down the death of the back squat and why unilateral training is often the superior choice for longevity and athletic performance. Mike shares his list of the dumbest exercises for adults, including his thoughts on RDLs, hip thrusts, and the hidden dangers of sprinting for the average gym-goer. Pete Dupuis from Business for Unicorns to discuss a common pitfall for gym owners: confusing client attendance with true retention.

Whether you are a personal trainer, strength coach, or gym owner, this conversation offers a masterclass in training philosophy and business strategy. Learn how to navigate the modern world of social media education while staying true to functional training principles that actually work.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Sponsor Updates

3:12 Retention vs Attendance with Pete Dupuis

6:28 Mike Boyle on the Back Squat Debate

9:45 Why Goblet Squats and Single Leg Training Win

13:30 Ranking the Dumbest Exercises for Adults

17:15 The Risks of Sprinting for Joe from Accounting

21:40 Success in 2026 Writing Speaking and Social Media

25:50 Dealing with Instagram Trolls and Criticism

28:15 Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap Up

If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! You can find more resources and upcoming seminar dates at the links provided in our channel bio.

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):

Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book

Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm

Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/

Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

Stop guessing about your adult clients fitness and start prioritizing what actually matters for longevity. In this episode, legendary coach Mike Boyle breaks down why VO2 Max training is no longer optional and how to integrate it without sacrificing strength gains. It is time to move past the performative antics and focus on the actual science of health span.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off Mini-bands and Superbad’s and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence.

We dive deep into the essential shift toward cardiovascular health for the aging population. Coach Boyle explains how to use Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) to prescribe precise intervals that actually move the needle on fitness. We also tackle the technical side of movement, specifically why the industry might be over-complicating regressions like the half-kneeling position when standing might actually be the better starting point for most adults.

The conversation shifts to the eternal debate of the trap bar deadlift versus the squat. Is it just semantics, or does the distinction change how we check the bilateral strength box? Finally, we address the rise of performative coaching culture in collegiate sports. From removing light dumbbells to choreographed game day lifts, Boyle pulls no punches on why these antics are turning strength coaches into court jesters and what professional training should really look like.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Perform Better Updates

3:15 Training Adult Clients for Longevity

7:45 VO2 Max and Cardiovascular Health

11:20 Programming Intervals with MAS

15:00 The Reality of the Norwegian 4x4

9:15 Half-Kneeling vs Standing Power Training

22:45 Defining the Deadlift and Trap Bar Nuance

26:30 The Problem with Performative Coaching

29:15 Final Thoughts and Hockey Talk

If you want to elevate your coaching game and stay ahead of industry trends, make sure to visit StrengthCoach.com for more expert insights and resources. Subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Strength Coach Podcast.

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):

Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book

Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm

Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/

Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

In this episode of The Strength Coach Podcast, Mark Fisher joins host Anthony Renna to break down how artificial intelligence is changing the way smart gym owners operate their businesses. From saving hours every week to improving decision making and marketing execution, Mark explains how even small technical shifts can create massive material gains over the course of a year.

Brought to you by PerformBetter.com
Head over to their website to get 20 percent off Mini-bands and Superbands and check out their new Hyrox bundles. Be sure to save the dates for the upcoming Functional Training Summits in Chicago, Long Beach, and Providence.

Mark Fisher, co-founder of Business for Unicorns, shares how top fitness professionals are using AI tools to work smarter, not harder. While AI may feel overhyped in the short term, Mark explains why it is still one of the most powerful tools gym owners can adopt to create long-term growth.

In this conversation, Mark and Anthony explore practical ways gym owners can use AI today. From generating marketing first drafts to analyzing complex financial statements and insurance paperwork, AI can function like a pocket expert that helps business owners troubleshoot problems faster and make more informed decisions.

Beyond the technology, the discussion also highlights the timeless fundamentals of building a great fitness business. Mark explains why visiting other gyms is still one of the most powerful learning tools available and why successful multi-location owners tend to focus on operational excellence rather than flashy marketing tactics.

Whether you are a solo personal trainer or running multiple gym locations, this episode delivers practical insights on leveraging technology while staying grounded in the fundamentals of great coaching and business leadership.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:

-Why AI might feel overhyped but still delivers long-term business advantages
-Practical ways gym owners can use AI for marketing and operations
-The difference between automation, delegation, and artificial intelligence
-Using AI to analyze financial documents and complex business systems
-Why visiting other gyms is still one of the best learning strategies
-The realities of scaling to multiple gym locations

Want to build a fitness business that creates more income, impact, and freedom?
Here are some FREE biz-building resources from our friends at Business for Unicorns (https://businessforunicorns.com):

Get the Little Book of Gym Marketing Secrets HERE-
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-marketing-book

Book a free 10-minute intro call HERE
https://go.businessforunicorns.com/brainstorm

Follow BFU on Instagram HERE
https://www.instagram.com/businessforunicorns/

Subscribe to Mark Fisher’s channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/markfisherhumanbeing

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro and the Truth About AI for Gym Owners
3:45 The Power of In-Person Connections and Gym Visits
8:15 Why Networking Still Beats Digital Bits
12:30 Automations vs Delegations vs AI
16:10 Using AI for First Drafts and Marketing
20:45 ChatGPT vs Claude for Fitness Professionals
24:20 AI as a Strategy Analysis Tool
28:50 Personal AI Use Cases for Health and Finance
32:15 Troubleshooting Your Life with a Pocket Expert
36:40 Budgeting for AI and Choosing Your Models
40:20 Synthesizing Data and Summarizing Systems
44:10 Scaling to Multiple Locations The Boring Basics
48:30 Lessons from Closing a Gym Location
51:45 Conclusion and Resources

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