[P]rehab author

Ryan Nosak MS, CSCS

Ryan was born and raised in Throop, Pennsylvania and he has worked in the world of fitness since he was 15 years old. Ryan realized he had a deep affinity for strength training and…

Ryan Nosak, MS, CSCS

[P]rehab Writer & Content Creator

Ryan was born and raised in Throop, Pennsylvania and he has worked in the world of fitness since he was 15 years old. Ryan realized he had a deep affinity for strength training and how it can alter the human mind, body, and spirit. He began his coaching career in high school by coaching his friends through strength training sessions, which inspired him to pursue a career in strength and conditioning.

Ryan spent 10 years as a Division 1 strength and conditioning coach with stops along the way at Penn State, Tennessee State, Vanderbilt, Robert Morris, Charlotte, and DePaul. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and operates RyNo Strength in Chicago, IL working as a personal trainer and online fitness coach. He specializes in fat loss, body composition, strength, and sports performance training programs.

Ryan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Penn State and a Master’s in Sport Management from Western Carolina University. In his free time, Ryan enjoys training for bodybuilding, eating at amazing restaurants in Chicago, and spending time with his wife, daughters, and dog.

 

Expert guidance

Articles by Ryan Nosak MS, CSCS

20 articles

How To Gain Muscle Without Injury

Summertime is here and you want the hard work you've been putting in the gym to be recognized when you are outside enjoying the sunshine with your friends. You've been doing the same training routine since high school and feel like you have hit a plateau for gaining muscle. While…

Exercises To Improve Grip Strength

For most individuals, training grip is an afterthought. However, your grip is your body's connection to the barbell, your opponent's jersey, and the stick used to play your sport. What's even more important is that grip is considered to be a useful indicator of overall health.…

Why You Should Include Machines In Your Strength Training Program

As someone who has been involved in the fitness industry throughout the last 16 years, I've seen a lot of fitness trends come and go. The pendulum has swung back and forth from a time where machines ruled the fitness industry to a time when they were considered nonfunctional.…

Strength Versus Power: What is the Difference?

During the most recent March Madness and Olympic games, you may have heard one of the commentators say: "his strength in the paint is impressive" or "she's a very powerful athlete." Strength and power are two terms you'll often hear as part of a fitness program to help improve…

Common Fitness Training Mistakes

Are you frustrated by your lack of progress with your fitness program? Do you find yourself jumping from workout to workout based upon what your favorite influencer does? Are you constantly dealing with nagging aches and pains in the same exercises such as the barbell bench…

Different Types of Squats and Why to Do Each

Whether you're stepping into the world of strength training for the first time or you're an experienced athlete, squats are a foundational movement that offers something for everyone. From building strong legs to improving core stability, squats work multiple muscle groups and…

Why You Should Do Copenhagen Planks

The fitness landscape is ever-evolving, with new exercises and training methods being introduced regularly. But some exercises, despite their vast benefits, remain under the radar. The Copenhagen Plank has been a best kept secret in the athletic world and it emerges as a standout…

The Core Exercise You Should Be Doing

In the pursuit for a strong and stable core, one exercise stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness: the plank. Often acknowledged as the cornerstone of core workouts, the plank is more than just an ab toner. It's a full-body integrator that critically links core strength…

Top 3 Exercises to Prevent Midback Hump

Do you feel like your posture is resulting in a midback hump? It's normal to have some rounding of your midback, known as kyphosis. However, when the curve exceeds 40 degrees of flexion, it's considered hyper-kyphotic. This condition forces your neck into a forward head posture,…

The Best Glute Exercises and Why

Imagine this: You're at the gym, struggling through another set of squats, wondering if you're really targeting your glutes or just punishing your thighs. You glance over and see someone effortlessly executing a perfect glute bridge, their glutes engaged, their form is straight…

Leg Day Routine Done the Right Way

Imagine it's leg day, and you walk into the gym, greeted by the sight of squat racks, leg presses, and free weights. The air is filled with determination as gym-goers power through their routines. But while the enthusiasm is noticeable, how many of these individuals are following…

The Ultimate Arm Day at the Gym

When it comes to building strong, well-defined arms, it’s not about throwing around some dumbbells and doing hundreds of reps—there’s a method to the madness. Whether you’re looking to build serious muscle or just add definition to your arms, dedicating a day to focused arm…

Exercises to Strengthen Your Anterior Deltoid

The anterior deltoid is an unsung hero when it comes to shoulder health, stability, and function. Whether you're an athlete looking to boost your performance, a fitness enthusiast aiming for balanced muscle development, or someone invested in prehab for long-term joint health,…

Unlock Your Deep Squat with Ankle Mobility

A deep squat is one of the most functional and foundational movements we can do. It’s not just about strength; it’s about mobility, balance, and control. And if you’re struggling to hit proper squat depth or find your heels popping off the ground, your ankle mobility may be the…

Must-Do Exercises to Squat Deep

The ability to squat deep is one of the clearest indicators of full-body mobility, strength, and movement quality. Whether you're an athlete trying to maximize performance, someone aiming to improve strength and longevity, or just looking to move with more ease, developing a deep…

Push-Up Exercise Variations

Whether you are new to strength training or you have spent years training, the push-up is an exceptional exercise that can be a part of any Prehabber's plan. Not only is it a great bang-for-your-buck exercise that works multiple muscle groups like the chest, shoulders, and…

The Best Posterior Chain Exercises

The posterior chain is a hot topic in sports performance, rehab, and fitness programs. The muscles on the front side of the body are often trained the most since the front side of our body is what you see in the mirror. The muscles on the backside of the body, also known as the…

Best Exercises For Osteoporosis

If you have osteoporosis, you may have heard exercise will lead to fracture. This discourages many of the older population from starting to exercise. However, exercise can help protect your bones and reduce the likelihood of life altering injuries from osteoporosis. This article…

Must-Do Exercises to Master Overhead Lifting

For anyone looking to build strength, power, and longevity in the gym, mastering overhead lifting is a must. Whether you're pressing a barbell, carrying a child overhead, or just reaching for a suitcase in the overhead bin, this movement shows up in more places than most people…

What Is Periodization and Should You Be Using It?

There are some questions in life that are always accompanied by a little bit of controversy and leads to people arguing about which is correct. Some of my favorite arguments include: the ranch versus blue cheese debate, does pineapple belong on pizza, and is Die Hard a Christmas…