Answers (9)
3
It is great to see the Overhead Squat Assessment so highly regarded and even goniometric assessment as I taught this for almost a decade while I worked for NASM. Having been in the industry for over 20 years now, I have seen a lot of clients, a lot of trainers and a lot of business models around the world.
There are a couple of trends I have noticed over the last decade in the Fitness Industry:
1- We have been pretty good at telling the client what to do and what's best for them
2- We have based much of our programming around how a client moves in a particular motion or set of motions.
These trends, in and of themselves are not wrong by any means. However, the member experience & retention in most clubs around the world is sub-par (according to them, not me) and trainer attrition is still up. So something must be a bit off...
What these trends may lend themselves to is being somewhat incomplete and impersonal - both attributes that can effect member experience and ultimately member retention. If members aren't happy, trainers can be frustrated and so the cycle continues.
What I have used in the last 2 years are some of the most innovative, personal, holistic and results oriented 'assessments' in the industry world-wide. They come from PTA GLOBAL and are very simple and practical to implement.
The first one is called a Program Design Questionnaire (PDQ). The PDQ is series of very scientifically based questions used to provide 4 very client-specific pieces of information in less than 10 minutes:
1- the client's goal
2- the client's preferred style of training - here is one area of the training process that the industry has not done a very good at either teaching or delivering. What does the client want to do in their program? PTA GLOBAL has chosen to approach assessment from a behavior standpoint because if you can create a safe and challenging relationship with the client, you can effect compliance and member experience. In this section of the questionnaire, you find out whether the client wants/prefers a) 'Traditional' forms of training (i.e. machines or commonly seen exercises) or b) 'Progressive' forms of training (i.e. more functional type training)or c) 'Hybrid' training (i.e. a combination of both Traditional and Progressive)
3- the client's level of ability - but also what other activities they engage in -hobbies, occupation, interests
4- the client's WHY? - this is a huge paradigm shift. The PDQ lists out several questions that are based on the principles of Motivational Interviewing. In this section, a client is asked about why their goal is important to them. The trainer will gain extremely powerful information that will enable them to create an emotional attachment between what client wants and what they trainer can do for them. Without an emotional buy-in and the understanding of the client's why, a personal trainer is just shooting from the hip and the program has no meaning to the client because it is not 'theirs', it is the trainer's.
From this information, a trainer now has a very distinct set of guidelines for developing a program that will match the client's behavior patterns and personality. That is personal training!
The second 'assessment' is the Daily Readiness Observation (DR.O) - found in the PTA Global Advanced Personal Trainer Course. This process is unique to the industry as well. In the DR.O, a trainer looks at 4 aspects of the client on a daily basis to establish the client's level of stress for that day and thus their 'readiness' for the current session. This is delivered through 9 questions that fall into 3 categories plus a movement observation. The DR.O categories include:
1- Lifestyle (sleep, nutritional, daily activities)
2- Physical (pain, tightness, soreness)
3- Movement ability - a simple movement observation to see how they move today
4- Mental/Emotional (motivation, mental state)
Once this info is gathered, a trainer can now make very specific and personalized adjustments to the program for that client every day they show. The PTA GLOBAL course shows you exactly what types of modifications can be made based upon the client's score. A really nice feature about the DR.O is that is can be used a tracking system over a client's training sessions to see how the client has improved or not - it keeps the trainer & client accountable and informed.
These two 'assessment' processes are by far the most personalized and engaging in the industry AND they are replicable and proven to work around the world. No more guessing at what your client wants & needs.
Have a look, you won't see training the same ever again ;-)
There are a couple of trends I have noticed over the last decade in the Fitness Industry:
1- We have been pretty good at telling the client what to do and what's best for them
2- We have based much of our programming around how a client moves in a particular motion or set of motions.
These trends, in and of themselves are not wrong by any means. However, the member experience & retention in most clubs around the world is sub-par (according to them, not me) and trainer attrition is still up. So something must be a bit off...
What these trends may lend themselves to is being somewhat incomplete and impersonal - both attributes that can effect member experience and ultimately member retention. If members aren't happy, trainers can be frustrated and so the cycle continues.
What I have used in the last 2 years are some of the most innovative, personal, holistic and results oriented 'assessments' in the industry world-wide. They come from PTA GLOBAL and are very simple and practical to implement.
The first one is called a Program Design Questionnaire (PDQ). The PDQ is series of very scientifically based questions used to provide 4 very client-specific pieces of information in less than 10 minutes:
1- the client's goal
2- the client's preferred style of training - here is one area of the training process that the industry has not done a very good at either teaching or delivering. What does the client want to do in their program? PTA GLOBAL has chosen to approach assessment from a behavior standpoint because if you can create a safe and challenging relationship with the client, you can effect compliance and member experience. In this section of the questionnaire, you find out whether the client wants/prefers a) 'Traditional' forms of training (i.e. machines or commonly seen exercises) or b) 'Progressive' forms of training (i.e. more functional type training)or c) 'Hybrid' training (i.e. a combination of both Traditional and Progressive)
3- the client's level of ability - but also what other activities they engage in -hobbies, occupation, interests
4- the client's WHY? - this is a huge paradigm shift. The PDQ lists out several questions that are based on the principles of Motivational Interviewing. In this section, a client is asked about why their goal is important to them. The trainer will gain extremely powerful information that will enable them to create an emotional attachment between what client wants and what they trainer can do for them. Without an emotional buy-in and the understanding of the client's why, a personal trainer is just shooting from the hip and the program has no meaning to the client because it is not 'theirs', it is the trainer's.
From this information, a trainer now has a very distinct set of guidelines for developing a program that will match the client's behavior patterns and personality. That is personal training!
The second 'assessment' is the Daily Readiness Observation (DR.O) - found in the PTA Global Advanced Personal Trainer Course. This process is unique to the industry as well. In the DR.O, a trainer looks at 4 aspects of the client on a daily basis to establish the client's level of stress for that day and thus their 'readiness' for the current session. This is delivered through 9 questions that fall into 3 categories plus a movement observation. The DR.O categories include:
1- Lifestyle (sleep, nutritional, daily activities)
2- Physical (pain, tightness, soreness)
3- Movement ability - a simple movement observation to see how they move today
4- Mental/Emotional (motivation, mental state)
Once this info is gathered, a trainer can now make very specific and personalized adjustments to the program for that client every day they show. The PTA GLOBAL course shows you exactly what types of modifications can be made based upon the client's score. A really nice feature about the DR.O is that is can be used a tracking system over a client's training sessions to see how the client has improved or not - it keeps the trainer & client accountable and informed.
These two 'assessment' processes are by far the most personalized and engaging in the industry AND they are replicable and proven to work around the world. No more guessing at what your client wants & needs.
Have a look, you won't see training the same ever again ;-)
2
I guess it depends upon who the client is. Are we only referring to apparently healthy population, athletes or the clinical population?
2
Hi Shawn. In my opinion, the truth of the matter is that there are so many types of assessments (each looking at different indicators of fitness) that it's difficult, if not impossible, to say which is BEST. A lot will depend on WHY you are assessing the client and what it is that you are looking for (this should be based on the client's reasons/goals for training). By this I mean that if I'm assessing an athlete for the purpose of sports-specific training versus a general fitness client, what I determine to be the BEST assessment tools will be very client specific. Each of the answers above give some excellent examples of assessment tools, but I would submit that unless you have "assessed" the clients goals and needs first, selecting the BEST assessment tool(s) will be meaningless.
I hope this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
I hope this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
0
1) Overhead squat assesment, because it focuses on the posture; the base of all motion.
2) Overhead squat assesment and the sit and reach test.
2) Overhead squat assesment and the sit and reach test.
0
Overhead squat Assessment: Ok but nowhere near top.
1. Hard to do - I have noticed MANY individuals (especially overweight) have difficulty performing an overhead squat.
2. Dynamic movements are difficult to analyze.
Sit and Reach - The worst assessment in my book. How are you going define someones flexibility by a sit a reach. People have longer arms than others.
TWO BEST ASSESSMENTS:
1. Static Posture Assessment - Using Grid and Camera
-Any deviation, dysfunctions, asymmetries are going to be identified much more easily and will translate to movement dysfunction.
-Best baseline assessment - You can do it standing sitting lying
2. Goniometer Assessment - Measure range of motion
These two combined will determine what exercises should be eliminated right off the bat!
For example, If a client can only measure 60 degrees ROM in shoulder abduction - Should we be doing overhead presses or lat pulldowns? NO
Another example, If a client has an ROM of 80 degrees for Knee Flexion - Should we be doing deep squats (beyond parallel) - NO
Any questions or comments let me know.
Fuel the Movement,
JM
1. Hard to do - I have noticed MANY individuals (especially overweight) have difficulty performing an overhead squat.
2. Dynamic movements are difficult to analyze.
Sit and Reach - The worst assessment in my book. How are you going define someones flexibility by a sit a reach. People have longer arms than others.
TWO BEST ASSESSMENTS:
1. Static Posture Assessment - Using Grid and Camera
-Any deviation, dysfunctions, asymmetries are going to be identified much more easily and will translate to movement dysfunction.
-Best baseline assessment - You can do it standing sitting lying
2. Goniometer Assessment - Measure range of motion
These two combined will determine what exercises should be eliminated right off the bat!
For example, If a client can only measure 60 degrees ROM in shoulder abduction - Should we be doing overhead presses or lat pulldowns? NO
Another example, If a client has an ROM of 80 degrees for Knee Flexion - Should we be doing deep squats (beyond parallel) - NO
Any questions or comments let me know.
Fuel the Movement,
JM
0
I have to say that I am a fan of the Functional Movement Screen (http://www.functionalmovement.com/SITE/functionalmovementscreen/fmscerti...) developed by Gray Cook, as part of an overall assessment. I think if your time is limited and you had to pick one to start with, this would be it.
If someone is pain free, you can take them through this assessment and have a better understanding of problematic movement patterns with viable solutions to correct/improve them. It allows the conditioning specialist an opportunity to get an accurate snapshot of their clients to develop an individualized program design.
I hope this helps, thanks.
If someone is pain free, you can take them through this assessment and have a better understanding of problematic movement patterns with viable solutions to correct/improve them. It allows the conditioning specialist an opportunity to get an accurate snapshot of their clients to develop an individualized program design.
I hope this helps, thanks.
0
Overhead squat assessments are not effective on a double (lower limb) amputee with a diagnosis of diabetes as well as being a stroke survivor.
0
I like the resting heart rate and the 3 minute step test. I also do a push up test, a curl up test and a sit and reach. Of these my least favorite is the curl up test as it seems some people are able to cheat on this in a way. While the sit and reach doesn't tell all about flexibility it did enable me to see quite clearly that a client had a serious issue that needed addressing by a medical professional. Also, I find it great because on reassessment after a month of boot camp followed by brief stretching my average client gains 3 inches on this test. I'm adding a plank hold to my assessment and for those capable a one mile run or run/walk for speed.
As far as finding client preference for activity that is something I do in my initial interview but perhaps this is not the norm. I have never worked in a big gym as a personal trainer or had access to all that boring equipment and treadmills. I train people outside and in their homes so I have to get creative.
Good luck! I love your question.
As far as finding client preference for activity that is something I do in my initial interview but perhaps this is not the norm. I have never worked in a big gym as a personal trainer or had access to all that boring equipment and treadmills. I train people outside and in their homes so I have to get creative.
Good luck! I love your question.
0
I have been certified with
ACE for more then twenty years, also with AFAA, and Premier. Was listed with IDEA as meeting the qualifications as a Master Trainer. Have taken CEC's from many organizations, too many to list. I have been subjected to the need to evaluate/assess clients from 10 years old to 94, well conditioned to de-conditioned. Male, female, healthy, athletic, arthritic, victims of stroke, cardiac problems, amputees, cancer survivors, the list goes on and on. I feel it has been my responsibility when it comes to assessments of clients to educate myself through organizations that provide the most current, up-to-date information available. Have read and studied many articles from numerous presenters from around the world, some written by Mr. Corn, listed above. I am looking forward to adding the PTA Global cert and available expertise of the many educators it will offer for our benefit. Once we have obtained all the possible knowledge currently available, a brief look at the individual in front of us, time for a PAR Q, find what's attainable for that individual at present, do your very best to help them enjoy the experience by progressing them to whatever ability they might obtain. Numerous ideas have already been mentioned, all of which might be used should the circumstance allow with the clients safety and ability allow. With all I have studied, often I have to just go back to the "basics". Don't put the client "in a box". Each one will be unique.
ACE for more then twenty years, also with AFAA, and Premier. Was listed with IDEA as meeting the qualifications as a Master Trainer. Have taken CEC's from many organizations, too many to list. I have been subjected to the need to evaluate/assess clients from 10 years old to 94, well conditioned to de-conditioned. Male, female, healthy, athletic, arthritic, victims of stroke, cardiac problems, amputees, cancer survivors, the list goes on and on. I feel it has been my responsibility when it comes to assessments of clients to educate myself through organizations that provide the most current, up-to-date information available. Have read and studied many articles from numerous presenters from around the world, some written by Mr. Corn, listed above. I am looking forward to adding the PTA Global cert and available expertise of the many educators it will offer for our benefit. Once we have obtained all the possible knowledge currently available, a brief look at the individual in front of us, time for a PAR Q, find what's attainable for that individual at present, do your very best to help them enjoy the experience by progressing them to whatever ability they might obtain. Numerous ideas have already been mentioned, all of which might be used should the circumstance allow with the clients safety and ability allow. With all I have studied, often I have to just go back to the "basics". Don't put the client "in a box". Each one will be unique.
