Sample Client Training Program Selena, Age: 31, new mother wanting to lose "baby weight" This is an example of a detailed and comprehensive 12-week training program for a new client. One of the most important aspects of beginning with a new client is to establish a positive relationship. This is done through personal interaction, good communication skills, and a genuine concern for the client’s success and well-being. It is crucial to gain a solid understanding their health history, current health and fitness level, and their goals for the future. Personal fitness trainers are professionals and therefore have several responsibilities to clients that must be taken seriously. The trainer’s objective should be to help the client successfully achieve their personal goals leading to a healthy, integrated fitness lifestyle. The first step to effectively drawing Selina in to a fitness lifestyle is conducting an initial interview. This is an in-person meeting where we get to know each other, begin to establish rapport, and discuss some important aspects of the upcoming 12 weeks. During this initial meeting, the client reads and signs the Informed Consent Form and we review her Client Health History Questionnaire. We also review her health history, talk about any concerns, and decide if any further medical screening or evaluation is necessary. Additionally, I collect initial basic data such as height, weight, resting heart rate, and body fat percentage. We discuss her goals, the basic assessment and evaluation methods to expect, my personal training philosophy, and the key underlying (ISSA) training principles. We also explore her current dietary habits and decide how much adjustment is needed to her eating habits. I also request that she keep a three day dietary record for further nutritional evaluation. Finally, we discuss the importance of effective two-way communication, intensity (HR vs RPE scale), and safety while exercising. This is also a good opportunity to show Selina around the gym facility and talk about some of the equipment and spaces. During this tour, and throughout the conduct of the interview, I would strive to get a more accurate idea of her familiarity with the gym and her particular areas of interest. Initial Interview Findings Selina had her first child a few months ago and is now ready to begin exercising to lose excess “baby weight” and tone up for the summer. She does not have much experience with exercise or sports, but was active with yoga, dancing, and hiking prior to her pregnancy. Based on the initial data collected, her body mass index (BMI) is 24.9 which is considered normal (high end of the normal range). Selina said that her comfortable weight has always been around 130-135 lbs.,
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Sample Client Training ProgramSelena, Age: 31, new mother wanting to lose "baby weight"
This is an example of a detailed and comprehensive 12-week training program for a
new client. One of the most important aspects of beginning with a new client is to establish a
positive relationship. This is done through personal interaction, good communication skills, and
a genuine concern for the client’s success and well-being. It is crucial to gain a solid
understanding their health history, current health and fitness level, and their goals for the future.
Personal fitness trainers are professionals and therefore have several responsibilities to clients that
must be taken seriously. The trainer’s objective should be to help the client successfully achieve
their personal goals leading to a healthy, integrated fitness lifestyle.
The first step to effectively drawing Selina in to a fitness lifestyle is conducting an initial
interview. This is an in-person meeting where we get to know each other, begin to establish
rapport, and discuss some important aspects of the upcoming 12 weeks. During this initial meeting,
the client reads and signs the Informed Consent Form and we review her Client Health History
Questionnaire. We also review her health history, talk about any concerns, and decide if any further
medical screening or evaluation is necessary. Additionally, I collect initial basic data such as
height, weight, resting heart rate, and body fat percentage. We discuss her goals, the basic
assessment and evaluation methods to expect, my personal training philosophy, and the key
underlying (ISSA) training principles. We also explore her current dietary habits and decide how
much adjustment is needed to her eating habits. I also request that she keep a three day dietary
record for further nutritional evaluation. Finally, we discuss the importance of effective two-way
communication, intensity (HR vs RPE scale), and safety while exercising. This is also a good
opportunity to show Selina around the gym facility and talk about some of the equipment and
spaces. During this tour, and throughout the conduct of the interview, I would strive to get a more
accurate idea of her familiarity with the gym and her particular areas of interest.
Initial Interview Findings
Selina had her first child a few months ago and is now ready to begin exercising to lose
excess “baby weight” and tone up for the summer. She does not have much experience with
exercise or sports, but was active with yoga, dancing, and hiking prior to her pregnancy. Based on
the initial data collected, her body mass index (BMI) is 24.9 which is considered normal (high end
of the normal range). Selina said that her comfortable weight has always been around 130-135 lbs.,
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which would put her BMI at 20.3 in the normal range. Figure 1 shows the calculations for Salina’s
BMI.
Figure 1: Body Mass Index Calculation for Selina Kyle
Selina’s resting heart rate (RHR) was 70. This is ideal for someone of her age and activity
level. Based on her RHR the Karvonen Formula was used to calculate her target heart rates (THR)
for 70% and 85% of maximum heart rate (MHR). Selina’s THR range is 153 beats per minute
(BPM) to 171 BPM. This method is a tool that will help Selina correlate her perceived exertion
level to that of her heart rate, but HR will not always be used as the primary means for her to gauge
her intensity level. Her THR range equates to approximately 60% to 80% of her VO2max and will
be used to gauge her intensity level when an HR monitor is available. Figure 2 shows the
calculations for Selina’s THR.
Figure 2: Karvonen Formula for Selina’s THR (70% to 85% of MHR)
Her body fat was measured to be 33%, which is considered “Clinical Obesity”.
However, her body fat percentage is likely a result of being two months postpartum. Due to her
current fitness level, health history, and lack of contraindications, a GXT is not required and
no further medical clearance would be necessary before starting an exercise program. She said
her goal is to the excess body weight that she is carrying from the pregnancy. We worked on
more clearly defining her goals, and based on her pre-pregnancy weight and ideal body weight,
we determined a target weight and body fat
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percentage that she would like to achieve. We spent a few minutes discussing her past and current
eating habits and found that she eats mostly whole, natural foods with minimal processing. She
enjoys eating fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables and rarely eats meat. We discussed the
importance of protein and the role of zoonutrients found in meats, and decided that this would need
to be a deficiency that we would address either through supplementation or through consistent
meat intake. She is receptive to eating meat if it comes from a vendor that guarantees “certified
humane raised and handled.” We also discussed food as energy and I stressed the importance of
taking in not just enough calories, but the right proportion of macronutrients necessary to provide
the energy to keep up with the increased demands imposed as a result of being on a dedicated
exercise program. We decided that her goal weight would be 135 lbs. and her goal body fat at 16-
18%, these were the two specific and measurable goals set for the training program.
Since Selina is a client that falls within the “special population” category, there are some
unique considerations when designing and executing her training program. Most doctors
recommend that women wait six to eight weeks after childbirth to begin exercising. Now that she
is at the eight week mark, she is ready to get fit, but there are a few drastic life changes that Selina
is now getting used to, such as: childcare, possible postpartum depression, incontinence,
inconsistent (or perhaps poor) sleep habits, work conflicts, and support network for her
psychological well-being. For the purposes of this assignment, we will assume that all of the
aforementioned considerations were discussed and determined no factor for her entering into the
training program.
Selina has signed on for 12 weeks and is available for three to four days per week. The
initial interview concluded with collecting her payment and setting up the first actual training
session, which would be spent conducting some basic assessments, light cardio, and stretching.
After the initial interview, I would design her detailed 12 week training program that would serve
as a starting point toward achieving her goals. She would receive this prior to the first training
session.
Fitness Tests, Data Collection, and Methods of Evaluation and Assessment
During the first and second training session, Selina will be introduced to each exercise. I
will demonstrate proper form and then she will perform with a PVC pipe or the lowest weight
available. This will include all barbell, dumbbell, and machine exercises, as well as several
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bodyweight exercises. The purpose of these first two training sessions is to familiarize her with
the movements, emphasizing proper form and safety.
On Friday of the first week, we will conduct some initial basic fitness tests. These tests will
serve as a baseline and a starting point from which later tests can be compared to measure the
training program’s effectiveness. The results of these basic assessments will be recorded and kept
for future use. Another fitness assessment will occur during week 7, then again the final week of
training. The following basic initial assessments will be conducted at the end of the first week of
training:
Flexibility – zipper stretch and sit/reach.
Muscle Strength – 1RM leg press, 1RM bench press.
Muscle Endurance – 1 minute max set sit-ups, max set of pushups.
Cardio Endurance – 12 minute walk/jog or bike, and pulse recovery step test.
Basic Fitness Assessment Results and Analysis
Figure 3 shows the results from the initial basic fitness assessments. The ratings in the far
right columns are taken from the ISSA text for female, age 30-39.
Figure 3: Basic Fitness Assessments for Selina Kyle
The initial basic fitness assessment is another important part of getting to know the client.
It provides the first performance oriented data to be used for training program design as well as
measuring the effectiveness of the program in the future. An analysis of Selina’s initial assessments
reveal some important findings. Selina is not as flexible as she would like to be and she admits this
is likely due to her neglecting yoga and dedicated stretching throughout her pregnancy; this is an
example of the Use/Disuse training principle. Consistent mobility work to include yoga will be
prescribed throughout the training program to help her regain her flexibility and preserve good
joint range of motion (ROM). Selina is far stronger in her lower body than upper body as
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demonstrated in both the muscle strength and muscle endurance tests. This will also impact the
frequency, intensity, and periodization of her strength workouts. Although Selina’s RHR and pulse
recovery were average, her aerobic endurance was rated “very poor.” Because of this, aerobic
conditioning will be a prime focus throughout the training program. These weaknesses will go into
the formulation of the training program by targeting specific adaptations to imposed demands
(SAID) in order to improve the areas that need work; specifically aerobic endurance, upper body
strength, and flexibility.
After the initial information gathering period, I took the data and designed a detailed and
comprehensive 12-week periodized training program for Selina. It is important to note that the
training program is not set in stone, rather it is a starting point from which we can deviate and
adjust based on how she is handling the training and adapting to the training load. Figure 4 is an
overview of Selina’s 12-week training program and shows how the weeks are broken up into
periods of various intents and purposes.
Figure 4: Overview of Selina’s 12-Week Periodized Training Program
The 12-week training program can be thought of as one foundational macrocycle. Since
Selina is not preparing for a specific sport or event, our high level focus will be on fat-burning,
lean muscle development, and mobility. After a week of introduction and familiarization, we move
into building a solid base of cardio and strength, which lasts five weeks. Then we enter a three
week phase focusing on strength development and continuing to build a high level of muscle
endurance, muscle strength, and aerobic endurance. The final period is a three week period in
which aerobic conditioning intensity and duration is maximized. This final phase is the final push
to get Selina looking great for the summer time. The training plan is structured in an easy to
understand and easy to carry format. This should make it possible for Selina to fully understand
the plan and to carry out the exercise on her own if necessary.
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Week 1 (and possibly some of week 2) is a foundational period intended to be an
introduction and familiarization with the gym, equipment, and exercises. We will spend at least
two sessions going over proper form, operation, and safety considerations when using free weights,
machines, and cardio machines. I will explain the movement, demonstrate proper form, and then
have her perform the exercise to ensure she is using proper form, watching for any deviations that
would require either adjustment in the equipment or adjustment of her mechanics. Low intensity
cardio and stretching routines will be introduced as well, although with Selina’s yoga experience,
I will encourage her to continue that practice. Figure 5 is a screenshot of the first week of the
training program. Week 1 concludes with the initial basic assessments as examined previously.
(Figure 5 shown on the following page)
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Figure 5: Selina’s Training Program, Week 1
Mesocycle
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Sets Reps Rest (sec)
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
Sets Reps Rest (sec)
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
1 5 1 min
Cooldown
Results
L 6", R 10"
65
225
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34
0.85
85
All exercises will be demonstrated first, then client will execute focusing on proper form.