Programming
As a new trainer I’m reading a ton of different books and articles on creating workouts and programming and different ways trainers create their workouts and programs for clients. With each one I get caught up in it and feel mine should be created that way, when instead I strive to build confidence in my own workouts and how I would initially plan a program. My question is how did you (more established trainers) come into your own in planning your clients programming?
Hello Samantha Kellgren,
Congratulations on your new status.
My thorough training through ACE prepared me to design programs from the detailed consultation forms. Our instructor, who is wonderfully educated, tells us that there are many program options and that no two people will design the same workout for the same client.
I use the answers from the client to decide what to put in the program, then go by what they are able to do and what their goals are.
The reading you are doing is a great supplement to add ideas or remind you of things that may have gone to the wayside. I am also constantly studying health and fitness, to add to my toolbox of tricks, if you will.
No worries, the more experience you attain will increase the amount of confidence you have and project. It is good to be humble; but, believe in yourself, also.
Take care,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
Hi Samantha,
I went through the same thing when I started training, so I understand how you feel. It can be an overwhelming process at first. Congratulations on your new certification–and t is great that you have been reading more and feel prepared to develop various programs for your clients.
The right way to develop a program is what feels right for you and the client. Let your client’s health history, goals, workout “personality” –with regard to likes and dislikes–guide you in program design. Also, you can have a plan A, but sometimes it’s ok and necessary to go to plan B. One thing that has helped me is to really build rapport and make connections with my clients. When you really understand them it will become easier for you.
You will feel more confident the more you train! Good luck to you!
Christine
Always make sure that you’re doing more progressing of exercises then regression, that way the client is creating mastery of such said exercise. Also knowing what the clients goals are can help steer you in exercise selection when programming. All the reading in the world wont help unless you start putting some of these theories into practice. Do what you feel confident in the “Tell, Show, Do” when training your client. Keep them safe, sweaty and happy!
Thank you all for your responses! I think that’s so true, it will come with experience and I’m just anxious to get there. I feel I should be an expert on it all when in reality I have been training clients for under 3 months.
I’m certainly feeling more confidant in reading a client and designing something they will like and have the ability to be good at put be pushed as well.
Hi Samantha,
experience really plays a big role, and there is nothing wrong with starting with workouts from books as long as they are appropriate for a client.
Once you are comfortable with assessing clients and discussing their goals, you will find that the choice of exercises easily derives from there. One of the things I have as a principle is to make sure that the client can be successful with the exercises I choose. Particularly people who are new to exercise often lack confidence in themselves and their abilities. I remind them that the assessment is there to detect weaknesses to make sure that the exercise programming can be safe. It is not a character test. The exercise programming initially should build confidence and establish a base of motor skills.
You will soon come into our own and move away from books once you have been working with a few clients.
Good luck and success.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com