what is a reasonable amount of time to plan on spending in program preparation?
There are so many variables that come into play when designing programs and performing other managerial duties that it’s impossible to give you an answer that could be relevant to yours. I spend more or less a couple of hours each week designing programs for my individual clients and my group classes.
Hi Eileen,
I probably spend 2 to 3 hours/week (sometimes more) on that – looking over everybody’s workouts & making the appropriate changes. But my clients are all 1 on 1 or 2 people at once – I don’t have to prepare group classes. The fact that you feel you spend a lot of time on that is a good thing Eileen. I’m sure your people have a good sense that you’re well-prepared for each of their workouts – you’ll keep your clients for a long time by keeping your workouts fresh and interesting. Good luck Eileen!
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com
Hi Eileen,
I figure about 15 minutes preparation per session with a client. Sometimes it takes a lot less, sometimes more when I develop the program for the client with lots of explanation to he can workout himself.
I only teach MELT as group exercise. When I teach a course with a steady group of participants, I take about 10 minutes preparing the outline. When I teach an open class where everybody can walk into, I do not prepare at all but take inventory of who is there (particularly new students) and take it from there.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hi Eileen!
A reasonable amount is the amount of time it takes you to feel well prepared for your client’s session (or program) or group exercise class. For each of my clients, I probably spend about 15 minutes as well reviewing the previous sessions and looking for any modifications or progressions to the workout. Many times I have a plan in place, but I also always have Plan B depending on how the client feels that day. Always expect the unexpected.
For my group exercise classes, on average I probably spend 15 minutes as well to prepare–many times it’s less than this. I’ve been teaching for many years and can put together a well prepared class in little time. However, if there are new moves or sequence of moves to incorporate it may take me a little longer. Sometimes I can get caught up in searching new resources.
So, wow, all said and done it looks like a few hours per week outside of training and teaching.
It may get easier for you the more you train and teach! I hope things are going well for you.
Christine