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!!!
Hey Randi and others. This is why I love the Q and A here. EVERY one of us as new trainers have put a client through a workout which was a little too tough and through that we learn proper progressions. 🙂
There are folks that can still catch us by surprise and get sore from the most basic movements even after a referral from working in PT for months or other trainer. Always best to start easy and let the client guide you a bit. Ask for feedback constantly in the first few sessions IE: how does that feel on a scale of 1-10…it will let you know what they are feeling and also: if they feel a 2 and are a 10 sore later or crampy, just what direction you may need to take.
Karin also had a good point about body weight exercises. They are much more difficult and complicated when people are overweight!
Keep up the great progress