The Human Kinetics Podcast

Congratulations! You have set new goals and are excited to move forward with your new plan. This means the work is beginning and the inevitable challenges awaiting. The saying, "If it were easy, everyone would do it," is pretty accurate because the hard part isn't necessarily setting goals but following through with them. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson have a...

Can caffeine change the game? We have heard that caffeine can, in fact, improve performance whether that is through research or personal experience. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson walks you through a meta-analysis published in 2024 that looks into the effects of acute caffeine intake on specific performance in intermittent sports. It can be found in the Human Kinetics Jour...

The calendar shouldn’t dictate when you set new goals, but with the new year, it is top of mind for many people. As you prepare for these changes, ask yourself if you are setting the right type of goals. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and Mental Performance Consultant Aaron Patterson discusses the three types of goals you should consider, and why goal setting works.   Aaron Patterson, M.S...

Busy times often mean stressful and anxious moments. When your schedule is full, life can seem overwhelming. It is in those moments when stress management plays a key role in staying present and reducing acute anxiety. In this episode, Certified Mental Performance Consultant Aaron Patterson and certified personal trainer Frank Eyeson discuss stress management, the importance of physical and mental...

We know the benefits of strength training as we age, but what about specifically for parents? In this episode, trainer, author, and parent Betina Gozo discusses the importance of strength training as a parent of young kids, and tips for staying consistent with training during a busy season. Get more tips and insight in her book, Women's Muscle and Strength.   Women's Muscle & Strength  https:/...

When Samantha Wood began her career, she was interested in physical therapy and using methods to help individuals recover from injury. While working with a pro basketball team, she learned that Pilates was one of those methods that could help bring athletes and gen pop clients back to health in a safe and efficient way. She believed in it so much that she wrote a book about it. In this episode, sh...

Have you ever heard an athlete say they wish they were slower? Quite the opposite. Speed can be a difference-maker for an athlete, and could be the difference between making a play or winning a game. But what is speed and is it the same for every sport? In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and Certified Speed and Agility Coach Aaron Patterson takes a dive into the topic of speed development, wh...

Sarcopenia. Osteoporosis, Chronic disease related to aging. There are multiple reason to continue gaining strength and building muscle as we age. Whether you want to look and feel healthy, or combat the effects of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, Chad Landers is here to help. In this episode, the 2018 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year discusses the importance and benefits of building strength and musc...

Kettlebells are a versatile tool to use in training, especially for athletes. Dr. Michael Hartle, author of Kettlebell Strength Training Anatomy, joined NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson to discuss kettlebell training and how it can be used to enhance athletic performance. Kettlebell Strength Training Anatomy https://ecs.page.link/S4T56 Dr. Michael Hartle Dr. Michael Hartle is a full-time chi...

What is periodization? There are misconceptions about what periodization is, and debates about if it is needed in today's training world. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson dive into the topic to define periodization, distinguish it from programming, and discuss the value of using it when structuring your overall plan. Additional Resources NSCA Essentials of Perso...

Athletes and non-athletes alike have individual goals to look better, feel better, and get stronger. Somewhere within those goals is usually the desire to build muscle or get toned. Regardless of the phrasing you choose, the goal is the same: training for hypertrophy. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson digs into the research and other trusted sources to explain what hypertroph...

The science of training athletes is ever evolving. Sport scientists are continually developing new ways to assist athletes in optimizing their abilities, and the world of sport and nutritional supplements plays a role. Dr. Lonnie Lowery and Registered Dietician Kim Mueller have built their careers on helping athletes train for peak performance in safe and efficient ways. The co-authors of Dietary...

You work hard to study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and other topics within the kinesiology field. Ultimately, you earn your certification and jump into the fitness world ready to change lives. But what's next? Dr. Barbara Bushman has spent her career educating students and fitness professionals on how to better communicate with clients, properly assess and program for them, and set them on...

What is cortisol? Is it good? Is it bad? There are a lot of misconceptions about cortisol and how it impacts our bodies. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson dive into the topic to discuss why it is good for our bodies, but how it can be detrimental to our goals.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS  Aaron provides informative and educational content...

Coaching is a profession that spans multiple industries. We traditionally might think of it in terms of sport coaching or training, but it can also include business, life, or most other types of consulting. Dr. James Gavin, author of Foundations of Professional Coaching, is a licensed psychologist as well as a Master Certified Coach. He has been studying the field of coaching for over 18 years, an...

When is the last time you did an eccentric exercise? If you're like most, these exercises don't regularly make it into the training plan. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson explains what eccentric training is and how it could be a gamechanger for you by including it in your training.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS  Aaron provides informative and educationa...

Have you ever seen someone in the gym standing motionless like a statue? It's possible they could be in deep thought, but most often they are doing an isometric exercise. What is an isometric exercise? What are the benefits? In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson explains what isometric training is, what the research says about it, and why you should incorporate it into your train...

As a toddler, you might have memories of taking your first steps. If not, your family likely has pictures or videos of the event. It's a pretty big deal at first, and then it becomes routine. While it might be second nature to many of us, the benefits go far beyond using it as a normal activity of daily living. Former race walk champion, registered kinesiologist and clinical exercise physiologist...

Injuries happen. Some are preventable while others might occur regardless of how much we prepare. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss the difference between acute and chronic injuries, why injuries occur, and what we can do to prevent or reduce the risk. Additional Resources Rock Solid Resilience https://ecs.page.link/De8S9  Training and Conditioning Young...

Strength, power, and maybe even hypertrophy. We train them all, and each for our own valid reasons. But what about balance and stability? Those two components are often taken for granted but they are vital in both sport and activities of daily living. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss what it means to train for balance and stability, and why it is importa...

When you were a kid, playing sports was everything. You trained, practiced, and strived to make that game-winning shot, goal, or drive in that decisive run. As you progress in life, some things change, but the desire to compete and feel athletic shouldn't be on the list. In this episode, Dr. Matthew Ibrahim discusses how to never stop training like a pro. Learn more in his book, Train Like a Pro:...

Mike Boyle's name is known across the world among the most successful strength and conditioning coaches. From his time working at Boston University to duties with the Boston Bruins and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, to founding Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in 1996, he has found the most successful strategies and coaching methods in the industry. He joined Aaron Patterson and Hum...

The Rubber Band Method has a cool name, but what is it, and how does it work? In this episode, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Massage Therapist Kiara Armstrong explains what the Rubber Band Method is, why she developed it, and how it works. She dives into her journey in becoming a yoga teacher, and talks about her book, Hands-On Yoga Assists. Hands-On Yoga Assists https://ecs.pa...

"How much can you bench, bro?" Really, how much can you bench? How much can you squat? And what does it all mean? In this episode, Tim Suchomel, author of Science and Development of Muscular Strength, defines strength and discusses the various measures of strength. What is the difference between absolute strength and relative strength? What about concentric and eccentric strength? Dr. Suchomel bre...

You train consistently and put in the effort you need to succeed. But are you training appropriately for your sport or intended goal? In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson breaks down the three energy systems our bodies use to produce the energy needed for specific activities. Understanding the difference between the three will help you better prepare success in your sport.   Aar...