[Lisa~]

Julie,

What have you tried so far? With my clients I've found that some heavier clients are actually pretty strong. They've been moving a lot of weight around for a long time. I try to focus on that aspect for them and move right into squat, dead, and bench. The energy system training is slower going. Just begin and move up from whatever they can do to doing something more, even if you begin with nothing but walking. You can do uphill walking bursts with flat recovery periods of longer duration.

But for a client who is obese and weak you have to get really creative. For the lifting portion of the program you've got to come up with some kind of exercise for each basic movement. Usually I can give them a bw split squat holding on to a support and if they can get on the floor, then glute bridging variations for hips. Maybe they can bw squat to a bench. Upper body movements are easier, just using DBs. Inclined push-ups might work. Seated cable rows work. Lat pulldowns and DB overhead pressing. Core work can be side planks either from the knees or if they're stronger then with their elbow on a bench. Sometimes their body is just in the way, so using the bench makes front planks work.

Does any of that get you started?