When William Kraemer first entered the field, strength and conditioning was, as he puts it, “primordial.” There were few standards, limited research, and little shared understanding. As one of the most influential figures in strength and conditioning, Kraemer recounts how the profession grew from humble beginnings into a science-driven discipline. That history still holds weight for coaches today. He explains why coaches are often drawn to new ideas, but progress comes from building on proven principles. Workout logs are central to his approach, and he notes how analyzing training over time can improve decision-making. He also emphasizes alignment across the performance ladder to support innovation and athlete development. As the Senior Advisor for Sports Performance and Sports Science at The Ohio State University, he shares his perspective on where the field is headed next. Apply his wisdom to stay grounded in solid principles, evaluate training with greater precision, and better serve your athletes.
Reach out to Dr. Kraemer by email: Kraemer.44@osu.edu | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs
Osteoporosis and low bone mineral density (BMD) are conditions that affect millions of people, and the amount of people afflicted is on the rise. To potentially reverse this trend, personal trainers can provide group sessions of high-intensity progressive resistance training to increase BMD and prevent osteoporosis.
Personal trainersProgram designBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseOsteoporosisBMDBone HealthGroup Training Sessions
Should personal trainers include the crunch exercise in an exercise program? The answer should always be, “it depends;” however, arriving at the best answer requires a process.
Personal trainersExercise TechniqueProgram designcrunch exercisecore trainingcrunches
Lawrence Herrera, owner and founder of LH Performance, talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about how strong is strong enough, keeping the training simple, and relating to athletes and coaches.
The daily energy requirements of tactical personnel are highly variable, depending on gender, body composition, activities performed, age, and environmental conditions.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise Scienceenergy demandstactical strength and conditioningtsac-f
The NSCA-CPT Techniques of Exercise Online Practice Question Bundle helps candidates get familiar with the type, scope, and difficulty of the questions on the NSCA-CPT Certification exam.
With the rapid development of technology, the daily demands for physical activity are significantly reduced. This article details four distinct phases for personal trainers to implement when working with clients coming from sedentary lifestyles.
Personal trainersProgram designClient Consultation|AssessmentBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseLifestyle ChangeSedentary ClientNon-Exercise-Based Physical Activity
The goal of this brief review is to describe what classifies as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and summarize the potential benefits for various populations: athletic, general, and clinical.
Personal trainersExercise ScienceProgram designHIITMaximal Aerobic CapacityModerate-Intensity Continuous TrainingTabata
This article provides a first-hand perspective of different approaches strength and conditioning coaches can take when they need to produce a highly competitive athlete, but their financial resources are limited.
NSCA has a network of volunteer leaders who direct NSCA’s efforts at the state and provincial level. NSCA’s Great Lakes Regional Coordinator provides oversight and training to local state and provincial directors. Members in the Great Lakes Region can connect at local and regional events as well as on Facebook to others in this area.