What do you think about systematizing trainers programming is it helpful or does it take away creativity?

Hi Matt,

that depends to which degree you take the ‘systematization’. If you have a number of trainers working for you, then there should be some standard of documentation and intake procedures. For example, you may decree that body composition, anthropomorphic measurements, and certain parameters of a musculoskeletal assessments should be part of the initial meeting with the client.

After that, it gets more murky. Inexperienced trainers would love nothing more than a blueprint (I used to be one of them, so this is nothing but retrospection). But clients come with different needs and wants, and they would be poorly served with a systematized approach. To say nothing of the experienced trainers; I would hit the ceiling if somebody told me how to train a client.

Of course, this presents the dilemma that different trainers do different things, and, in a gym setting, this does not go unnoticed. But as long as the trainers are all qualified, this may even be a plus because some clients may be drawn to some trainers more so than to others. You may end up with a good match between trainer and client if you allow for flexibility.

Hope this was helpful.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com

I believe systematization has it’s advantages.

Many rookie personal trainers lack experience. Training models assist new personal trainers with tools that will assist them in developing the skills necessary to learn program design. Hopefully, like all fitness professionals ought to do, they continue their education and grow to a point of being able to design individualized programs for their clients.

Hi Matt. I see the business of personal training as an ART that applies the SCIENCE of how the human body works. In that respect I view attempts at systemizing how a trainer designs programs as removing the ART of what we do which is to design a fitness program that addresses the specific needs of a particular client. I see systems of training as detracting from that art, and not necessarily in a good way. I want a trainer who can think and plan on their feet, not one who simply follows a menu of exercises that has been pre-designed for them.

Are there advantages to having a fitness program ‘system?’ Absolutely! But in my opinion the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]ness.com

I agree with above posts. Systematizing has its advantages, but when it comes to personal training its better to be able to switch things up from person to person.

Id vote that it takes away creativity, and you should have trainers go client to client without the same program.

However, if you have a group of trainers working 40+ a week and clients lined up around the block, it’d be much easier to simply put them through a premade program.

Clients will each have their own needs and abilities so a program should be created specifically for each person. What works for one person is not always going to work for the next and a personal trainer must be able to assess the progress and make changes as necessary to keep the client improving and making gains.