Help with first client
I recently obtained my ACSM CPT certification in an effort to gain experience while I’m still in school. I had just been hired at a local gym, and because other trainers there will be coaching sports I will be picking up some of their clients in their absence. As an aspiring strength and conditioning coach, I currently intern with a strength coach in my area who has been guiding and helping me prepare to sit for the CSCS exam. I decided to pursue personal training to become a better communicator, build relationships with those in my field, and pick up some verbal cues to help training of athletes and general population alike. Having said that, I was asked to train a client who I was told I can “do anything at all with”. With endless possibilities of workout structure and movement selection I’m having trouble deciding what direction I should go in. I have been leaning toward a total body circuit style workout with a cardiorespiratory fitness emphasis. Because the experience I have is with program design and instruction for athletic performance, I unsure as to what does and does not translate to the general population. Any advice for a beginner?
Michael,
Yes I agree. You should do an assessment first. CSCS Certifications are awesome but the bulk of training is in fact done with Gen Pop. The unifying aspect is a Needs Assessment.
“Anything” just means they need coniditioning mostly. That means muscle building, body awareness, cardio conditioning and core.
I bet you have a number of things to do there, so start at their current level of fitness.
Do things that measurable first… weight, measurements (tape measure), body fat percentage. Then ask about fitness goals, and injuries, fitness level and training history.
If there are injuries, address them first and guide the client into something total body oriented. Cardio and conditioning is best because I am willing to guess this person, if they need training, needs conditioning to advance along your program.
Good luck!
Feel free to email me if you have more questions