Quote:
|
Whereas I believe that progressive overload is the most important variable. And I feel that if you are constantly trying to change things as often as possible and create novelty in your programs, its very hard to monitor progression. It is important to keep the body guessing, but really how much is necessary?
|
Ah, there's the rub, isn't it? We want to keep at the same exercise long enough to see some strength gains, but not so long that the client stagnates, gets frustrated, and gives up....
At my little personal training facility, we structure 12-workout programs for 6 weeks at a time. Within that timeframe, we work on progressive overload, building reps and/or weight as necessary. After 6 weeks, the client gets a completely "new" program.
I do include some of the major lifts in each program - I just vary it. Maybe one program will have a straight-legged Romanian deadlift, and the next one a regular DL. Or we'll do it with a barbell one program and a kettlebell or dumbbells the next. Front squats vs. back squats. I confess I do throw in some dumbbell curls and triceps isolations to keep them happy, but those do tend to come at the end of the workout....
Because our clientele tends to be middle-aged or older (a significant number are over 60), we do whole-body workouts twice-weekly to meet rather their rather modest goals: to maintain functional range of motion, build strength and flexibility, and maintain bone mass.
My people aren't terribly concerned about becoming competitive powerlifters or figure athletes ;-). But they get the results THEY want, so they are incredibly loyal. Many have been coming for 4+ years.
I've never actually worked in a large, commercial gym, and I guess it's a different environment. I'm really not pressured to bring in new clients - we get most of our business through word-of-mouth referrals.
I think you should stick to your guns, to a degree, and encourage your new clients to trust you (after all, that's what they are paying you for). At the same time, however, make sure your programs do meet THEIR goals. As they get stronger and begin to see results, they will refer more people to you. This does take time, however. If you are a good listener, that alone will set you apart from many, if not most, newly-minted, young trainers out there. (We have our share of clients who have come to us after becoming disillusioned with the big gyms...too much spandex they say, coupled with trainers who are too pushy and force cookie-cutter workouts on them....)
Good luck,
- Jennifer