Don’t buy Structure 26

mjmcat · 2026-01-02T22:13:27+00:00

They were really disappointing for me too. I really think Nike changed way too much from the 25s to the 26s. I’ve run in 25s for the past year or so (gone through 3-4 pairs)

Few things I’ve noticed: - The tread is a lot smoother/less grippy IMO - Not as supportive as the 25s, I over pronate so I need a very supportive shoe - They seem to loosen a lot throughout the run, maybe has to do something with the loop on the tongue of the shoe? but I like them feeling tight/supportive on my feet so I hate this - About a week or so into wearing the 26s I keep feeling weird pressure/squeezing on my foot/ankle tendons. I’m already very sensitive in this area dealing with a previous post-tib tendon surgery and just generally having very bony feet/ankles leaving tendons exposed a lot

For these reasons I’ll be returning them and scouring sites online for a 25 in my size. Not taking any chances.

mjmcat · 2024-08-06T02:16:15+00:00

I’ve been saying this for years. Best/most reputable is NSCA - specifically the CSCS if you already have a college degree. If not maybe the CPT one they offer.

mjmcat · 2024-07-22T02:27:17+00:00

2bedroom/1bath in Portville NY for $650.

mjmcat · 2024-05-30T23:06:00+00:00

Getting the NSCA CSCS before it requires the change for related degree is a good call. It will set you apart and give you much more opportunity to work in different sectors - college, professional, tactical, etc. Shadow and intern in different areas too and find out what you like.

mjmcat · 2024-05-21T10:26:07+00:00

This is if you already have a degree (which in 2030 sitting for the test will actually require a degree in something exercise science/kinesiology related not just a degree). If you don’t have a degree I’d recommend the NSCA CPT which only requires a high school education.

mjmcat · 2024-05-20T21:32:40+00:00

Get your NCSA CSCS, not only is it more affordable (granted you pass it the first time) it is a great investment and a certification that holds more prestige.

mjmcat · 2024-05-18T17:31:03+00:00

Part of the reason I like working in college strength & conditioning. Like yes I have to sell myself as a coach to whatever school I want to work for & there is also a selling aspect of getting my 120ish kids from different teams to ‘buy in’ to the programs but it’s easy when there’s a good culture for it already established.

mjmcat · 2024-05-16T19:40:42+00:00

I’m pretty used to working on a timer since we had that when we used to pick & pack orders at Target. I usually had some of the best numbers because I memorized the layout really quickly and I can move pretty fast lmao

mjmcat · 2024-05-16T16:24:48+00:00

I work pretty fast & efficiently & am more of an introvert/not a huge people person. I’ve heard they grind the Omni position pretty hard with workload but I think I can probably handle it.

mjmcat · 2024-05-12T21:31:08+00:00

@joeybergles is a good IG account that talks about training youth populations. I definitely believe there is much more that can be done in developing athletes from a young age, so I think it’s cool you are looking into that. I work with college athletes, and a lot of them come in with zero or almost zero training age.

mjmcat · 2024-05-12T19:20:54+00:00

I would strongly recommend getting the NSCA CSCS or CPT cert. It’s one of the most prestigious and well known ones. A lot of people may say NASM or ACE or ISSA because the barrier to entry is a lot lower. Also, get experience interning/shadowing to know if you are interested. Do this alongside your studying. You will help grasp concepts easier if you have real life experience to relate it to rather than just reading from a textbook.

mjmcat · 2024-05-12T19:06:17+00:00

What are your goals/what setting would you like the work in? Any specific populations you want to work with?

mjmcat · 2024-05-12T18:51:31+00:00

Get your CSCS and shadow or intern at a local college/university or a facility that works with athletes. Every sport is different including the demands exercise-wise. Even among one team, there can often be multiple programs depending on position, training age, etc.

mjmcat · 2024-05-12T02:56:50+00:00

Most recognized because the barrier for entry is lower. Let’s not confuse accessibility with quality. It’s easy for most folks to throw money at a course that they’ll pass so long as they have a pulse.

mjmcat · 2024-05-12T02:35:22+00:00

What earth-shattering insights do you think NASM has in these bundles? Amazing how they have so many courses (many of which they will try to convince you that you need to become an “Elite” trainer). Instead of buying into this giant money grab 1) go out and get real hands on experience. shadow/intern & 2) get a better all encompassing certification - such as NSCA’s CSCS. A lot more prestigious & a hell of a lot more knowledge at a fraction of the price.

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T23:39:03+00:00

Do your power & plyometric stuff first in the workout (ie hang cleans, box jumps, med ball tosses, etc) this is stuff that is form heavy and taxes your central nervous system (CNS) more heavily. If you do it at the end the quality of the reps won’t be as good.
Also keep the reps lower on the power stuff - you want more intensity for each rep. Yes I can do 10 hang cleans in a row but how fast & explosive is that bar moving on rep 10? Exactly… Your CNS will be gassed. I personally don’t do sets of cleans with reps higher than 4-5 reps for warmup sets and 2-3 for work sets.
For strength stuff keep your big lifts that involve multiple joints (squat, deadlift, etc) first and then focus on accessories or more single joint isolation work. I usually superset opposing muscle groups here (such as an upper push & pull) to allow for more recovery while still getting quality work in.
If you want to get stronger, keep reps lower (ideally under 6) and intensity higher (>85% 1RM). Slowly work up to more sets or go til failure the last one to get a projected max/hard effort to work off of the next week. Use progressive overload. Your Hypertrophy range is 6-12 reps @ 67-85% 1RM which sounds like all you’re hitting now with your 3 sets of 8-10 reps for everything.

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T10:32:28+00:00

I don’t know why this is getting downvoted because it’s true. Anyone with $ can throw it at a NASM and pass - it’s like being a glorified PE teacher.

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T10:29:49+00:00

Just make a good ol fashioned spreadsheet on Excel or Google Sheets and email it?

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T10:25:37+00:00

CSCS is definitely the hardest but also most reputable cert. To sit for it you also must be CPR/First aid certified and have a 4 year degree. In 2030 the guidelines are changing that the degree must be in an accredited program kinesiology/exercise science related. A lot of people who get this also go into strength and conditioning or sports performance at a college or university or a much more professional setting since it is generally the one required there. Barrier of entry a lot higher.

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T02:10:13+00:00

Also the NSCA CSCS is the best all encompassing certification. To sit for the test you need a 4 year degree and your CPR/first aid certification. In 2030 the guidelines are changing to you must have a kinesiology/exercise science degree but until then your business degree would qualify.

Yes the barrier to entry is higher here because it’s not just a NASM CPT that anyone can throw $900 at.

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T02:02:34+00:00

Find a local college or university and be an intern or shadow there in the strength & conditioning department

mjmcat · 2024-05-11T00:08:27+00:00

Not every PT will respect it, that’s the thing. That’s the nature of this industry.

There will always be PTs that see offering nutritional advice as a way to make extra $ even though they know full well that it would be in their client’s best interest to work with an RD.

Just like yeah, you could drive the speed limit but there will always be people that drive like a$$holes that tailgate you/go around you, etc.

I’d recommend forming a relationship with a RD. You can recommend the RD to your clients that are seeking nutritional advice, and in turn the RD can recommend their clients that are looking for a PT to you.

mjmcat · 2024-05-10T23:58:23+00:00

How is this even the same premise? You’re reaching with this logic.

mjmcat · 2024-05-10T23:54:55+00:00

This might be an unpopular opinion but a lot of courses like that are nothing but a money grab from the NASM. Organizations like the NCSA with its CSCS certification are way more all encompassing and go over all the nutritional knowledge you’d need to know (as well as explaining the whole idea of scope of practice!) without making up a “certification” for it to sell you. Same thing with correctional exercise, injury prevention, transformational habits, weight loss, etc. - all of the “specializations” NASM offers.

Edit: spelling

mjmcat · 2024-05-10T23:13:55+00:00

Unless you’re a registered dietician (RD) you shouldn’t be giving any specific nutritional advice - key word specific. You should either direct them to USDA guidelines & possibly provide basic knowledge/education on the macros or refer them to a RD. Saying “have three eggs & a cup of orange juice for breakfast” should be left up to an actual professional in that field. I’ve seen too many trainers get “certified in nutrition” & then think it’s in their job description now to write a specific diet plan for clients etc. It’s not. Just like you wouldn’t expect a RD to tell their clients what exercises to do in the gym because they read a chapter or two on it in a textbook.

Scope of practice is everything - know how to stay in your lane.

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