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

As a follow-up to my earlier post, I do NOT see principles and guidelines as being a systemized approach or process at all. As a matter of fact, these guidelines and principles are part of the SCIENCE of personal training upon which we as trainers develop our ART of training. While it’s true that certain approaches to training, such as periodization, represent ‘systems of training,’ it’s also true that even periodizaiton has its exceptions, and in most cases in working with athletes, a TRUE periodization ‘system’ seldom works as it’s posed in the textbooks. Athletes playing multiple sports which makes the various cycles of periodization impossible, is just one example of how this ‘system’ often cannot be strictly adhered to, but instead the trainer must use their own ingenuity (ART) to adjust to the particular athlete’s needs.

In my view, I see the issue of systemizing training as developing programs that serve as a ‘one-size fits all’ like some of the more popular ‘lose weight quick’ or ‘get in shape in X days’ programs out there. The problem with such ‘systems’ is that one size does NOT fit all, and therefore seldom is a textbook system truly adaptable to the general client population “as is.” So therefore, I see the ‘dangers’ of systemizing training as being potentially taking away the creativity and the PERSONAL aspect of personal training – a movement that I would hate to see.

Hopefully this clarifies my opinion on what systemizing means to me.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
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