NEW STUDY: Boost Strength by 47% & Slash Injuries with ONE Simple Move
By Shane Dowd, CES, CMP
We all know that showing up and putting in the work is key to making gains.
But what if I told you who you train with—or whether you train alone—might be even more important than your program?
A brand new study compared the progress of strength-trained men who either trained alone, with a workout partner, or under the guidance of a personal trainer (PT), and the results were eye-opening.
The group with a PT saw up to 47% greater strength gains in exercises like squats over just 12 weeks compared to those training solo or with a partner. PLUS, they also lost more fat and had fewer injuries!
Let’s examine exactly what made the difference and discuss how you can use these insights to grow your health and fitness journey exponentially.
The Study Setup: Solo, Partner, or PT?
Researchers divided the participants into three groups:
- Training Alone: No supervision—just following the program on their own.
- Training with a Partner: A workout buddy to keep things social and maybe to push them harder.
- Training with a Personal Trainer (PT): Professional supervision focused on guiding form, pushing limits, and holding them accountable.
Each group followed the exact same training program and diet.
The critical variable was the training environment—whether it was solo, with a partner, or under the guidance of a PT.
The Results: Who Made the Biggest Gains?
The trend was clear: more support led to better results. Here is the breakdown.
- Training Alone vs. Partner: Training with a partner produced better gains than training alone. Even without specialized knowledge, just having someone there to push you made a significant difference.
- Partner vs. PT: The PT group outperformed both other groups. The additional guidance, technique correction, and accountability from the PT led to the best improvements across the board—up to 47% improvement in strength gains.
What’s more, the PT-supervised group also stuck to their diet better, had fewer injuries, and maintained better technique throughout the study. This highlights the massive impact that expert supervision and accountability will have, even when the actual training program remains unchanged.
Why Does a PT Make Such a Difference?
Interestingly, the PTs weren’t allowed to change the workout plan. Their role was supervising, correcting form, and keeping participants consistent and motivated. This reinforces a core principle: progress isn’t about flashy programs or trends—it’s about mastering the fundamentals with precision and consistency.
This is precisely what I focus on in the Ultimate Lifelong Athlete program. Consistent, high-quality execution of the basics is what drives sustainable long-term growth. If you can see a 47% improvement in three months, imagine what’s possible with dedicated coaching over the long term.
For example, I’ve had various coaches over the year that helped me go from broken and on the verge of hip surgery to doing the splits, lifting weights, and playing sports without pain or problems.
Investing in a Coach: The Returns Are Outlandish
Hiring a coach might feel like a hefty upfront cost, but it’s an investment that pays off massively in the long run. Let’s break it down:
- Medical Savings: Avoid injuries that would otherwise lead to expensive medical bills and physical therapy sessions.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Being stronger, leaner, and healthier translates to better sports performance, increased confidence, improved relationships, and a higher quality of life overall.
- Compounding Gains: With consistent expert guidance, your gains aren’t just linear—they’re exponential. The stronger and more skilled you get, and the more consistently you stick with the plan (like what we saw in this study), the faster your progress accelerates over time.
3 Practical Tips for Hiring the Right Coach
Before getting into the three practical tips for hiring a coach, I understand that I may not be the best fit for you.
Me and my team of Doctors of Physical Therapy specialize in helping athletes, active adults, and people who want to live a healthy, movement-based lifestyle. But not everyone is interested in this kind of lifestyle.
So, no worries if we aren’t the perfect fit for you! I still want to help, so here are three tips to consider if you hire us or another coach.
- Look at Expertise, Not Just Price: Remember, you get what you pay for. The right coach is an investment in your future strength, health, and well-being.
- Start with a Movement Evaluation: A good coach will always start with a movement screen to identify red flags and top priorities. If they are not assessing, they are guessing. That’s why I always start with a movement evaluation.
- A Commitment to Long-Term Progress: Quick fixes never work. That’s why programs like Ultimate Lifelong Athlete offer the combination of a coach, a proven system, and accountability for consistent growth over the long haul.
The Big Takeaway: Small Gains Compound Into Big Wins
As this scientific study we reviewed today shows – the numbers don’t lie.
How would you like 47% more strength, fewer injuries, and less body fat with ONE simple move?
Well, the choice is simple: hire a coach.
With consistent expert guidance, your gains aren’t just linear—they’re exponential. Investing in a coach today doesn’t just lead to short-term results; it sets you up for a lifetime of strength, fitness, and fewer injuries—all while saving you big in medical bills down the road.
If you want 1:1 help with us, use the link in the description to apply for our Ultimate Lifelong Athlete program.
If you dug this video, please like, subscribe and share. As always, remember that you’re just 1 step away from building or rebuilding your perfect body.