Progressing Clients

Recently my personal training clients have begun the second phase of their fat loss/strength building routines. It is of popular demand right now to attack fat loss clients with high intensity, complexing, and leg numbing workouts. Honestly this sort of protocol can be effective with the right type of people. To be honest, even if this is the most effective route when dealing with fat loss clients, I guarantee many whom are seeking fat loss would drop out of your programs if constantly confronted with HIIT, sledge hammer work, and sprints. You must first establish and teach them and make it clear how important establishing movement patterns is. This was phase 1. Using a progressive approach to establishing quality movement before moving on to higher intensity complexes.
Here is an example of "fat loss" exercises we used with several beginner clients when they came in.
Phase 1 Week 1
Explosive- KB Swings
Hip Extension-Pull Through, RDL w/reach
Knee Dom- Split Squat (w/ support for some)
Horz Push- Push ups, DB bench w/ NG
Horz Pull- 1 arm row, face pulls, cable rows
Vert Pull- cable pull down, chins
Vert push- Curl 2 press

Now after a great phase which lasted 6 weeks, they have made considerable progress and now have progressed to much more metabolic and complex movements. These which would have been possible before phase one but with sub standard form which would have led to soreness in all the wrong areas (low back, knees, etc..) Now everything we do is tri-sets with more of an emphasis on complexing movements. We still focus on strength with much of our first tri-set and from there after it is fairly metabolic.
Here is an example of a Phase 2 workout which we used with a client:

0 sec between lifts 45-60 sec between sets
Tri Set 1
Trap Bar DL- 3x5
NG DB Push Press- 3x8 each
Cable Hold-3x20sec
Tri set 2
SS 1 arm row- 3x10 each
1 Leg RDL w/ KB-3x10 each
Anterior Core- 3x10
Tri set 3
Scaption-2x12
External Rotation 2x12
Face Pulls- 2x12
ESD- 1 arm KB Swing 2 jump squat/BW Squat
10 swings per arm 2 10 jumps w/ 30 sec rest x 6+

This has worked out very well and I look forward to progressing them from here. I know there are a lot of very quality fat loss workouts out there right now but a majority of them are just far to advanced for an first time weight lifter looking to shed some pounds. Start basic and in time the exercise can pick up. Remember, fat loss isn't a quick fix, it is a progressive lifestyle change. The exercise should fit that progressive change they are making.

Give Back to get more!

After settling into a comfortable routine and with all my strength and conditioning duties set, I realized I had a lot of time on my hands. I figured if I want to be getting to seminars and buy the continuing education resources some extra cash flow would be a good idea. So what better way then to pick up some clients.

I figured for the advertising/marketing I would go with the cheapest(free) method available...flyers, and a free ad. The response was fairly well. After the one week I got several replies and was off to a good start. The best form of marketing however, word of mouth, was what I needed to utilize in order to establish a name for my programs so that I could be sure to gain more clients throughout the process.

Usually this process is one that takes a while. Typically you get your clients, train them, if your successful by the end they will tell friends and coworkers. Well, I was a little impatient and wanted to kick start this process so I decided to add some extra incentive to spread the word a little more quickly. Initially, I charged them the fee for the program and while meeting with each client for a consultation I let them in on a plan to help motivate them and spread the word. After establishing there goals and evaluating their initial training history I flat out gave them a money back guarantee. If my program did meet the needs of the clients goals (specific) they would get a fair percentage of the initial fee back no questions asked. My hopes were that eventually the word would get out and I would re-open at the halfway point and see how many others would like to join. Well, it really did not take that long. Recently, I have gotten several emails from husbands, wives, fathers of the clients all wanting to join and some of their friends who might want to join.

By no means am I a genius, super star, celebrity trainer, but I am confident in my coaching and that with the goals established this will be a great experience. It just simply demonstrates that in many cases marketing does not have to be an investment that takes a lot from the initial profit of your current fees. Not only with this hold me incredibly accountable for making progress but this will get my clients to realize how serious I am about getting them to where they want to be. Of course there are stipulations with attendance and effort but finding ways to establish a clientele has more to do with what people have to say about you over what you can say about your skill. Find ways to get people talking and you will never have a problem generating a clientele.