How do you run a semi private training session
Hello, semi- private can be tricky business at times. Semi-private to me means a small controllable group. The number in said group should be consistent with your ability to:
1. Instruct
2. Motivate
3. Coach/guide
4. Be creative
Even when I have had several people of comparable skill, goals & other complications on a session you have to retain the ability to be individually & group interactive. I like to compose more “functional” sessions but making sure I have alternatives (exercises) to offer one who may be a bit sore or others who may be needing some relief from day.
The key is control. There have been many times I have had to alter plans @ the beginning or middle of sessions for similar reasons. I believe my creativity and experience with varying disciplines in conditioning aid me. We all get caught with pants down sooner or later, do better @ managing the situation and TRY to never let em see you sweat.
Other than that, sharing a space with other’s is the same to me as being back in the gym. I’m used to others making my sessions their own in one way or another. I always mention to clients when training in open areas they will/may be watched so stay focused, trust me to keep you safe and inspire on-lookers.
I think uncertainty, confidence level and leadership all come in to play here. Evaluate your pros and cons. If others recognize the lack here you may be hurting your future business prospects. Tighten up your thing and do not try to follow anyone else 100% cause what’s in you will come out, eventually…
peace
Hi Toni. There are many ways to conduct this type of training session. Of course, the first (and probably most important) issue to resolve when conducting partner training is whether the two people have similar fitness goals and fitness levels. This would go a long way in making the session enjoyable and challenging for each participant, AND easier for you to administer.
You can create ‘mini’ circuits in which the participants rotate through them, taking turns at each station. You can have them perform partner exercises such as medicine ball tosses. You can have each of them perform the same exercises at the same time (such as stability ball leg curls). Any of these types of set-ups would provide for a great training experience for your clients.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
For partner training (2 people with compatible goals and abilities), I do full individual assessments first to make sure that they would both benefit from shared sessions.
For small groups, I treat it more like a class or clinic with a specific purpose, ie beginning free weights, marathon training, half hour HIIT, etc. Everyone will be doing the same basic thing, though I may have to modify things for each individual.
The larger the group, the more instructional it becomes rather than personalized workouts for each individual (hope that made sense).
I interpreting this question to mean that other people are in the same vicinity during your training?
I speak in softer tones, and use my back – body language- to block
I let my clients know that it takes more focus when others are around.
If on the other hand you are talking about working with more than one person, this is done by knowing their goals before hand and figuring out a way to accomodate both or all parties.
I e-mail each a questionnaire that has medical/exercise history and goals. The goals do need to be semi compatible (it would be hard to train someone for a marathon along with someone who wants to get better at tennis). I meet with each privately first (usually for 10 minutes before the first session which they are told will be the longest session) to do some very basic movement screens. Once I know their goals and basic fitness level I find it easy to devise a program that suits all. I tell them to come early after that to do their myofascial release, some do, some don’t, but this can be good bonding time for them. Then we do a group warmup. If it is just 2 clients I will usually set them each on their own exercise and spot and correct form. For more than 2 I will usually have them do the same exercise, but with modifications if necessary. Same thing with stretching; often they do the same stretch, but many times I will give a different stretch depending on need.