In This Article
- Who Lou Schuler Is and What He Has Built
- What the Podcast Covered
- Why His Career Provides Useful Context
- What to Watch
Lou Schuler, a fitness journalist and co-author of the New Rules of Lifting series, sat down with the RNT Fitness podcast to talk through his career, share practical writing advice, and revisit stories about bodybuilding culture from earlier eras. The conversation offered a rare look at the craft behind fitness publishing from one of the field's most experienced practitioners.
Who Lou Schuler Is and What He Has Built
According to Wikipedia, Schuler was born on January 23, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri, and has built one of the longer editorial careers in fitness media. He has served as fitness editor of Men's Fitness, fitness director of Men's Health, and editorial director of the online publication Testosterone Muscle (also known as T-Nation). He holds a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and currently serves as editorial director for the Personal Trainer Development Center. In 2004, Wikipedia notes, he won a National Magazine Award for a piece titled Death by Exercise.
His bibliography is extensive. Working primarily with trainer Alwyn Cosgrove, Schuler co-authored the original New Rules of Lifting (2005), New Rules of Lifting for Women (2007), New Rules of Lifting for Abs (2010), New Rules of Lifting for Life (2012), and the later Supercharged edition of the series, according to his Wikipedia bibliography.
What the Podcast Covered
The RNT Fitness episode centred on three threads: Schuler's personal journey through fitness journalism, practical tips for writers looking to break into the health and fitness space, and candid recollections about the personalities and culture of bodybuilding in earlier decades. The show's description notes that Schuler and his hosts discuss how aspiring writers can sharpen their craft — an area Schuler has addressed in other public forums as well. A quote surfaced by Robertson Training Systems captures his philosophy: "If you could identify with that person who's been teased for their weight or athletic ability, it's going to make your message more powerful."
Schuler has discussed the principles of fitness writing on multiple platforms. Legion Athletics described a separate conversation with Schuler in which he examined "first principles" of writing as they apply specifically to fitness communication, noting his standing as a veteran of both the journalism and fitness industries.
Why His Career Provides Useful Context
Schuler's longevity in the field makes his appearance on the RNT podcast notable for readers interested in how fitness publishing has evolved. The New Rules of Lifting series, published through Avery/Penguin Random House, has gone through multiple iterations. The Supercharged edition, described by Penguin Random House as a "total reboot," introduced ten new workouts built around four major movement categories — squat, deadlift, push, and pull — along with a self-customised workout selection system aimed at both beginners and advanced lifters. A companion title, Strong, addressed women's training with direct testimonials from readers, according to Penguin Random House.
Schuler has also presented on the craft of sports writing at professional gatherings, including the JP Fitness Summit 2007 and the Staley Training Systems Annual Training Summit 2006, Wikipedia records, suggesting his interest in mentoring writers predates his podcast appearances by nearly two decades.
What to Watch
The RNT Fitness podcast episode is available now at rntfitness.co.uk. Readers interested specifically in the New Rules of Lifting book can find LuvemBooks' full assessment in our review. Schuler has not publicly announced a new book project at this time; no such announcement appears in the sources reviewed for this article.