Need Advice! First client’s quads cramped up after 6 lunges, almost ruined 1st session
I just started training my first client at my new job. She is a 50 y.o. female who is overweight and undertrained. I met with her last week and took her through a 20 min walk w incline on the treadmill, followed by some basic body weight exercises. I had her do 6 lunges on each leg and afterwards she said her quads were cramping so bad that she couldnt walk or stand. I wasn’t sure what to do so I had her just sit and do some bicep curls. Later we did some crunches on a large ball and she said her abs were cramping the same way. I guess I’m not really sure what to do in this situation… I find it hard to believe that such little movement could cause such a negative reaction. I’m drawing a blank about what to do the next time we meet because I don’t want to overwork her, but she wants to lose weight and get in shape so she’s going to have to do SOMETHING. Like I said, she’s my first client and I’m used to training myself… so any advice for training super beginners would be great! Thanks!!!
Hi Randi. I’m basing my comments strictly on what you describe since I know nothing about your client. To my mind you may have started her out a bit too aggressively. If your client is 50 year old overweight and under-trained, having her start with a 20-minute uphill treadmill walk was probably more than she could handle by itself, yet alone having her perform additional exercises following that regimen. Perhaps reconsider how to progress her by doing shorter interval, flat walking, varying the pace a bit but allowing for full recovery between each interval. It sounds to me as if her muscles/body was pre-fatigued by the treadmill walk and so it was all downhill from there for her.
Again, this is only a suggestion for you to consider since I have no way of knowing what is actually causing the situation you describe without having seen your client personally myself. Good luck, and don’t be afraid to try new methods until you find ones that work for this particular client.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com