The opportunity for advancing the fitness journeys of personal training clients is front and center this time of year. Here are several ways to jumpstart the new year with new goals for further results.
Vary Your Workout Intensity and Volume
Nothing says stagnation like the same workouts with the same duration and intensity day in and day out. In this new year don’t be afraid to switch things up, get a jump-start and push the envelope, per se.
If you’re used to having your clients do these two-minute rounds of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) give them a little challenge and bring that number up to five two-minute. Your client might get tired with this increase in volume but that also allows your client to break out of his comfort zone; which he’s probably been stuck in for the entirety of the year prior.
Perhaps have him perform the same moves with the increases volume but in a shorter duration of time. Instead of completing X, Y, and Z move in 2 minutes for 5 rounds, have him complete these rounds in 10-15 seconds faster per round. This shakes your client out of his comfort zone it also keeps him from hitting plateaus.
Find New Ways to Measure Clientele Progress
Instead of the typical BMI and body fat tests, measure improvements in your client’s ability to perform past moves and at what rate, duration, and frequency. Hone in on the details.
Squat jumps are a great move in determining three important factors:
- Core strength – forcing your client to keep a neutral spine and prevent bending of the back
- Leg strength – engaging all major and minor leg muscles
- Cardiovascular endurance – increasing heart rate considerably
This helps measure a client’s progress; if your client would previously bend their back or slouch forward while performing a squat and they no longer do or don’t do it as much, then that’s a definite sign of improvement.
Also, if your client is able to jump higher and clear the ground more easily, then that is a sign of an increase in leg strength and power (progress).
Finally, if your client can now perform these squat jumps for a longer or a much longer duration than times of the past, that is yet another sign of growth and improvement in their conditioning.
Not all progress comes in the form of the number on a scale or the display on a BF/ BMI devices. Have your clients squat jump away (or any move that requires technique) and monitor improvements thereafter.
Do you have ways in which to get a jump-start in the new year and continue producing results for your clients?
