Choose your weapon!

[Aaron590]

I was thinking earlier about different types of training. But more impotently i was thinking about all the different training styles that i know nothing about. Which im sure are a lot! What are some of your favorite training tactics? For example:
Isometrics
isokinetics
Plyometrics

What do you all like to use?

[Jean-Paul]

I'm partial to the plyokinetic protocol 30. Works every time!

Actually I'm only joking.

I like to make sure that the client has the basics. I do like to throw in multi-directional locomotion drills (especially band-resisted), bridging, and rotation exercises to whatever workout I put them through.

[fred]

Psychology

In order for someone to be able work effectively and expend the maximum of effort they have to be in the right frame of mind. Regardless of what -----ics you are doing the mind is the most important part of the lift or exertion. It has the power to tell you to stop and put doubt in your ability however it also has the power to make you push hard than ever, to exceed your previous boundaries and to conquer. That is my opinion.

[AskTheTrainer]

Originally Posted by fred

Psychology

In order for someone to be able work effectively and expend the maximum of effort they have to be in the right frame of mind. Regardless of what -----ics you are doing the mind is the most important part of the lift or exertion. It has the power to tell you to stop and put doubt in your ability however it also has the power to make you push hard than ever, to exceed your previous boundaries and to conquer. That is my opinion.

I would agree with this and say being a good personal trainer is 90% mental and 10% physical. All of your techniques you use to train your clients has different effects on them.

A large part of the psychological (and business) aspect of training is establishing 1. Your client's Trust and 2. Your client's dependence on your training. Not many personal training clients need a personal trainer as you probably know. The primary reason is motivation which can be influenced by the "weapons" you use as a trainer.

One of my favorite "weapons" is touch. Most people go through tough 9+ hours a day of work in a very impersonal setting, i.e. talking on the phone, going to meetings, conference calls etc. Yes, similar to the theme of the academy award winning movie "Crash" when you touch people they get something more than just your guidance.

Touch is very important for correcting form, and demonstrating form but a "weapon" which I see few trainers use is manual resistance. Manual resistance is when you apply external force to your client's exercises by pushing/pulling/holding their weights or wrists/ankles, etc.

Especially useful with clients who always perform exercises too fast, you can use your own manual resistance to control the tempo. The best part using the "weapon" of manual resistance adds value to your service as a trainer by giving your clients something they couldn't possibly do by themselves.

[RyanA]

Originally Posted by AskTheTrainer

The best part using the "weapon" of manual resistance adds value to your service as a trainer by giving your clients something they couldn't possibly do by themselves.

Very good point for trainers.

I think the psychology part is great, but I've seen very motivating trainers that don't really understand programming and don't really get results for their clients. On the flip side a downer training genius doesn't do anyone any help either.

Outside of a specific type of training all clients need to have healthy mobility, stability and movement patterns once that is dialed in I then begin working strength, endurance and power. What type of training I then do is based on their goals and the equipment on hand. I like barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and bodyweight exercises. From noob to elite these should cover the bases.