Who are the best of the best in our industry? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Christina]

Hey guys,

John brought up a good point in the article he posted the other day and that is to learn from the best in the industry. Please help me compile a list of names of fitness professionals who are highly respected in our industry. After we are done with the list I am going to add links to their websites and make it a sticky so that everyone who visits the forum will see the list. I think this is a good way to show personal trainers where they can get reliable information and it will help raise the bar in our industry.

John mentioned these names:
Michael Boyle, Stuart McGill, Juan Carlos Santana, Alwyn Cosgrove

I'll add: Brian Grasso, Gray Cook

Who else should we add? I know there are lots more names to be added.

Please do not promote yourself. (Inevitably there is always someone who will log in and add their name to the list so I have to say this up front. ) Also, let's stay away from marketing gurus.

Christina

[rbd]

Great start:

Gary Gray, Mark Verstegen, Shirley Sahrmann, Ian King, Bill Hartman, Vern Gambetta, Tudor Bompa, Fleck and Kramer, Mike Roberston, Eric Cressey, Greg Roskopf, Chuck Wolf, Martin Rooney, Robb Rogers, Evan Osar, Thomas Plummer, etc.

I am sure there are plenty more that I am not thinking of, but here is a start and great idea.

Jeff

[Christina]

Thanks for adding to the list, Jeff. I am going to start working on this today.

Christina

[Christina]

Jeff, this is what I have so far. I still need to add a few more names/websites. If you can think of any others let me know.

http://www.fitnessthinktank.com/foru...als-vt975.html

[kelli m]

Christina,

Admittedly I only scanned the list, but it seems there are no true academics on this list. I did not know if that was the intent or if it was just those who had marketed themselves in a way that they are nationally recognized.

IMO, an expert is one who possses a terminal degree in his/her field and years of research and experience.

If you are interested in this type of professional, I have one or two I would like to add.

[Christina]

Hi Kelli,

Thanks for the feedback. A handful of people on the list have a PhD. Most of the others have an MS degree (a few do not). Unfortunately many university profs do not have websites other than a bio on a .edu site. On a side note, I know that most everyone on the list does lectures for CEUs.

I hear what you are saying about many on the list being good marketers but I am not sure how to get around this because nearly everyone sells something these days. Although you are too humble to point this out, you have as much or more education than some on the list and the only thing separating you from them is marketing. I guess the goal here is to create a list of names/websites where personal trainers can turn to for reliable info rather than finding random info through Google.

Maybe we could separate the list into PhDs and then strength coaches, etc. Do you think this would work better? I am open to suggestions.

Christina

[kelli m]

Christina,

I think it is fine the way you have it. I just wasn't sure if you were looking for the most recognizable or a true expert.

I like Len Kravitz , Ph.D. I enjoy reading him and maybe it was the name similiarity to a certain musician that initially got my attention. LOL

[Christina]

Kelli, your comments made me stop and think. I decided to divide the list into higher education and all other fitness professionals. Please take a look. There are obviously tons more names I can add to the higher education list so if you can think of some let me know.

Christina

[Kevin59]

Mark Rippetoe, Kelly Bagget, Dr. John Berardi, Dr. Fred Hatfield, Christian Thibaudeau, Chad Waterbury, Jason Feruggia, Pavel Tsatsouline, Glenn Pendlay, Charles Poliquin, Dan John, Bill Starr.

[standAPART]

I find it funny that so many put all their marbles on "higher education". When I look at the list Cristina has so far put together, I see experts "in the know" and that are actually doing the craft. So much weight is put on degrees and certification, however, I would much rather look at one's experience (to go along with those credentials.)
Another thing about the marketing...I am not a big fan of marketing and many people "in the know" can tell you that. However, I can tell you that when you do train alot of people and have been in the field for a long time, guess what? You have a lot of data and information that you'd like to share and heck...make some money off of. trust me, there are plenty of newbie trainers and fitness enthusiasts that can benefit from some of the products that these guys produce.
Please stop using eductaion as a measure when there is a lack of experience.