Each Sunday morning, we publish a list of the best fitness articles we came across the previous week. The articles you see this week are the best of the best, the true standouts from our weekly lists over the past 12 months.

Our goal is to showcase the best information, insight, and analysis from across the fitness industry, with most of it written by trainers, for trainers.

You can also check out our previous Best Fitness Articles of the Year compilations, beginning with 2011, the year Jonathan Goodman launched the PTDC. As you browse through the older lists, most of which highlighted the best articles published on this site, you'll see how both the PTDC and the fitness industry as a whole have evolved over the past nine years.

Thanks for a successful 2019, and we wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2020!

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2018

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2017

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2016

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2015

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2014

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2013

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2012

Click here for the Best Fitness Articles of 2011

The Top Article of the Year

"There's something wrong with me."

Unfortunately, too many people arrive at this conclusion after trying and failing to achieve a healthy body composition. In many cases, the individual believes they've taken all the necessary actions that should yield results, only to find no change on the scale or in the mirror.

This leads to a seemingly logical conclusion: "The exercise and nutrition stuff that works for other people doesn't work for me. Perhaps I've been cursed with a slow metabolism."

The insidious myth of the slow metabolism robs people of their self-efficacy. Believing they can change is often the deciding factor in whether or not they will change.

That's where we come in. As fitness professionals, it's our job to empower our clients, especially when they've stopped believing in themselves.

General Health

20 Lessons for Female Athletes on Training and Life -- Erica Suter, ericasuter.com

If Self-Discipline Feels Difficult, Then You're Doing It Wrong -- Mark Manson, markmanson.net

The Best Damn Cortisol Article Ever -- Christian Thibaudeau, T Nation

What Three Hybrid Physical Therapists and Strength Coaches Want You to Know About Pain, Exercise, and Movement -- Sam Spinelli, Tim Rowland, and Jarod Hall, Physio Network

Binge Eating: Common Causes and Overcoming It -- Jake Linardon, Dietetically Speaking

Strength Training

10 Myths Your New Clients Probably Believe -- Kevin Mullins, the PTDC

Training to Get Strong Isn't Dangerous. Being Weak Is Dangerous -- Jason Brown, drjohnrusin.com

Our Top Eight Hip-Strengthening Exercises  -- Meghan Callaway and Lee Boyce, meghancallawayfitness.com

Fear of Muscle: What Women Need to Know -- Charles Staley, T Nation

Top 12 Things Every Woman Should Know About Strength Training -- Jen Comas, Girls Gone Strong

Fat Loss

How to Stick to a Diet: Lose Weight and Keep It Off -- JC Deen, jcdfitness.com

Diet Breaks: The Secret Sauce of Successful, Long-Term Fat Loss -- Jorden Pagel, Jorden Pagel Fitness

The Pros and Cons of Intuitive Eating and Body Composition -- Daniel DeBrocke, Breaking Muscle

Exclusive Data: How to Overcome the Eight Biggest Diet Problems, Based on 100,000 Client Results -- Krista Scott-Dixon and MJ Perrier, Precision Nutrition

The Toxicity of Diet Culture --Emily Beers, Breaking Muscle

Career

How to Communicate Clearly to Potential Clients -- Tyrel Detweiler, Elite FTS

Principle-Based Program Design: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide -- Nick Tumminello, nicktumminello.com

How to Have a Long Career as a Personal Trainer -- Chad Landers, the PTDC

How to Become an Online Nutrition Coach -- Mike Doehla, the PTDC