Beyond the regular weekly training session(s), it’s important for the fitness professional to be aware of any other exercise activity in which their client is also participating daily. It’s critical that the fitness professional and client share an honest, open approach with consistent communication to achieve success together in reaching the client’s fitness goals. Without this trusting understanding, the fitness professional and client will not be able to achieve success together. Therefore, having all of the personal information below will help the fitness professional design the best-customized routine for their client:
- Work Life – The fitness professional should be aware of their clients’ daily physical life and habits. Your clients’ workday
can have potentially negative affects on their bodies, even if they don’t engage in strenuous physical activity. For instance, if your clients sit excessively, then they probably have over-active (tight) hip flexors, and having them perform crunches to work their abdominals would probably not be the best choice for them. Take stock in how your clients “get through” their workday. Ask them these important questions: What do they physically do for work? Does their job consist of sitting, standing, or a specific type of physical activity? If they don’t currently work, then what type of physical activity makes up their typical day? These open-ended questions that you ask your clients will give you the right answers into helping you create the appropriate routine for your clients so that your training session can serve as an opportunity to reverse any harmful effects of your clients’ work life. - Exercise Classes – The fitness professional should always be aware of any exercise classes that their clients take in between training sessions, to then factor the effects of that activity into how their training sessions are structured. For example, if your clients takes an intense spin class the day before your session, but you were not made aware, then your plan for a leg-dominant approach may be more than they can effectively execute. Additionally, your clients may have certain muscle groups that are over-active (tight) and under-active (weak) and specific classes could be more of a detriment to them than a beneficial exercise. Encourage open and consistent communication so that you’re always aware of how you can best adjust your training sessions in between other exercise classes in which your clients partake.
- Team Sports – The fitness professional must be aware of their clients’ participation in organized team sports, because these activities could influence preparation for their clients’ sessions. For example, if your clients plays an organized sport that is either leg-dominant, shoulder-dominant, or elbow-dominant, you will need to restructure your program for them tailored to what muscle groups are conversely well-rested or not primarily used. You may also need to perform some corrective exercises on your clients if needed, especially if they play contact sports, for their over-active and under-active muscles. Moreover, being aware of your clients’ participation in a specific sport outside of your sessions has another positive advantage. You could dedicate some of your clients’ sessions together to train them specifically for that sport they are passionate about to help them become an even more accomplished athlete.
- Homework – As a fitness professional, you may decide to write your clients meticulous step-by-step exercise routines for them to perform as homework for when you are not present with them. It’s essential to provide clear instructions for your clients to perform these exercises correctly by engaging the proper muscle groups and even more importantly so they don’t injure themselves. Be mindful not to advance them too quickly or repeat certain exercises they might have just performed easily in their workouts alone. Thus, it’s critical to check in with them consistently and monitor their homework progressions before your next session together. Again, communication is truly vital to identify the correct progressions for you and your clients’ sessions together.
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Shaun Zetlin
As the son of a professional bodybuilder, Shaun was exposed to weightlifting and exercise at a very young age. After overcoming his own physical limitations having been born with club feet and gross motor skills, Shaun made it his mission to share his passion and knowledge of proper fitness and health to help others meet their fitness goals.
For over ten years, Shaun has successfully run his own personal training business in the New York City Metro area. Able to relate and adapt to each individual, Shaun prides himself on developing exercise plans and nutritional menus to foster every client's fitness needs. His clientele ranges from the athlete, and senior citizen, to bodybuilder, and dancer. Shaun's specialties include: strength training, power techniques, corrective injury training, and core stability training.
In addition to the highly regarded Master Trainer status, Shaun is a certified personal trainer of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). With NASM Shaun also holds specialized certifications in: Pre- and Post-Natal, Corrective Exercise Practices, Cardiovascular Weight Loss, Youth Training, Senior Citizen Training, Balance Training, Core Stabilization, and Self Myofascial Release (SMR). Additionally, Shaun is certified by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Sports Performance Nutrition Specialist, with training in the Female Athlete, Knee & Shoulder Rehabilitation, and Marathon Training. Shaun earned his Bachelors degree in English Literature and Writing from the University of Delaware.
Shaun's first full-length book, "Push-up Progression Workout for a Stronger Core" is currently available worldwide both in paperback and e-book formats. It was featured as one of three top books in 2013 for healthy living as selected by Dr. John Whyte of The Discovery Channel. His latest book, "Push-up Progression (2nd Edition)" has already achieved great success and notoriety in the world of fitness. It is currently featured in bookstores across the United States and United Kingdom in paperback and available wherever e-books are sold. Shaun has had a multitude of articles, program designs, and tips published within a variety of books, magazines, and on websites in the world of fitness and beyond including: Price World Publishing, Demos Medical Publishing, Livestrong, Rodale Books, OnFitness Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Brides Magazine, and GO: AirTran Magazine. Additionally, Fitness Professional Online recognizes Shaun as an "expert," answering questions for other fitness and health professionals.
Shaun also has media experience in both television and radio, ranging from fitness modeling, to hosting his own weekly radio fitness show.
For over ten years, Shaun has successfully run his own personal training business in the New York City Metro area. Able to relate and adapt to each individual, Shaun prides himself on developing exercise plans and nutritional menus to foster every client's fitness needs. His clientele ranges from the athlete, and senior citizen, to bodybuilder, and dancer. Shaun's specialties include: strength training, power techniques, corrective injury training, and core stability training.
In addition to the highly regarded Master Trainer status, Shaun is a certified personal trainer of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). With NASM Shaun also holds specialized certifications in: Pre- and Post-Natal, Corrective Exercise Practices, Cardiovascular Weight Loss, Youth Training, Senior Citizen Training, Balance Training, Core Stabilization, and Self Myofascial Release (SMR). Additionally, Shaun is certified by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Sports Performance Nutrition Specialist, with training in the Female Athlete, Knee & Shoulder Rehabilitation, and Marathon Training. Shaun earned his Bachelors degree in English Literature and Writing from the University of Delaware.
Shaun's first full-length book, "Push-up Progression Workout for a Stronger Core" is currently available worldwide both in paperback and e-book formats. It was featured as one of three top books in 2013 for healthy living as selected by Dr. John Whyte of The Discovery Channel. His latest book, "Push-up Progression (2nd Edition)" has already achieved great success and notoriety in the world of fitness. It is currently featured in bookstores across the United States and United Kingdom in paperback and available wherever e-books are sold. Shaun has had a multitude of articles, program designs, and tips published within a variety of books, magazines, and on websites in the world of fitness and beyond including: Price World Publishing, Demos Medical Publishing, Livestrong, Rodale Books, OnFitness Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Brides Magazine, and GO: AirTran Magazine. Additionally, Fitness Professional Online recognizes Shaun as an "expert," answering questions for other fitness and health professionals.
Shaun also has media experience in both television and radio, ranging from fitness modeling, to hosting his own weekly radio fitness show.
Latest posts by Shaun Zetlin
- The Role of Exercise in Stress Management - May 9, 2017
- X-Push Up - December 27, 2016
- Fit Pros, How To Properly Progress Your Client’s Push-Up? - October 26, 2016
