PT's...Fun exercises with clients? LIST EM!

[TooPowerful4u]

Wanna throw out a fun thread....for personal trainers of the board (im sure we have a ton)....before i hear all the bs....i know i know...some of the functional crap isnt necessary! But part of training a client and keeping their interest (no matter how much you wanna argue) is making them enjoy the workout and having fun! I even said to my manager "i dont really like all the functional training and crazy exercise combinations"....her answer was more than correct...it was on the money..."you might think you are right, but besides that....its what they are going to want and its going to get you and help you keep clients no matter how unnecessary you think it is".

Im a little rusty and just started a PT position...so lets hear some of the stuff you like to do with clients. Doesnt necessarily have to be functional or crazy....could be anything....favorite combinations...ways to keep the heart rate up....active rest exercises....creative movements tweaked...etc...

I saw that Lucian listed a forward leaning lunge..which IS great for glutes (i do it precontest) but never thought to use it with a client til now. I definately will in the future.

I like multi plane lunges...sometimes supersetted with stiff legs (talk about beatin up the hams n glutes)....

I got plenty more that i like...but i wanna get some imput here and maybe learn a thing or two!....


So lets hear it........

 

[muscle96ss]

Wanna throw out a fun thread....for personal trainers of the board (im sure we have a ton)....before i hear all the bs....i know i know...some of the functional crap isnt necessary! But part of training a client and keeping their interest (no matter how much you wanna argue) is making them enjoy the workout and having fun! I even said to my manager "i dont really like all the functional training and crazy exercise combinations"....her answer was more than correct...it was on the money..."you might think you are right, but besides that....its what they are going to want and its going to get you and help you keep clients no matter how unnecessary you think it is".

Im a little rusty and just started a PT position...so lets hear some of the stuff you like to do with clients. Doesnt necessarily have to be functional or crazy....could be anything....favorite combinations...ways to keep the heart rate up....active rest exercises....creative movements tweaked...etc...

I saw that Lucian listed a forward leaning lunge..which IS great for glutes (i do it precontest) but never thought to use it with a client til now. I definately will in the future.

I like multi plane lunges...sometimes supersetted with stiff legs (talk about beatin up the hams n glutes)....

I got plenty more that i like...but i wanna get some imput here and maybe learn a thing or two!....


So lets hear it........

Not trying to ruffle any feathers but perhaps someone could explain to me whether or not it is correct jargon to refer to personal trainers at "PT's". The reason I ask is because I often see threads like this one where people are referring to personal trainers as "PT's". I am a physical therapist and our board of licensure recognizes a "PT" as a "physical therapist" and not a "personal trainer". Like I said, I am not trying to ruffle any feathers or come across as a dick; but as someone who has spent $250,000 in student loans to go through 7 years of undergrad and graduate work, I find it slightly offensive for a "personal trainer" to call themselves a "PT". This is not a cut on all trainers as I have met many that know their shit inside out and have extensive knowledge backgrounds that would put most physical therapists to shame. However, a large percentage of them do not fall into this category. I apologize for hijacking the thread, but I clicked on it expecting to be about physical therapists.

 

[TooPowerful4u]

Not trying to ruffle any feathers but perhaps someone could explain to me whether or not it is correct jargon to refer to personal trainers at "PT's". The reason I ask is because I often see threads like this one where people are referring to personal trainers as "PT's". I am a physical therapist and our board of licensure recognizes a "PT" as a "physical therapist" and not a "personal trainer". Like I said, I am not trying to ruffle any feathers or come across as a dick; but as someone who has spent $250,000 in student loans to go through 7 years of undergrad and graduate work, I find it slightly offensive for a "personal trainer" to call themselves a "PT". This is not a cut on all trainers as I have met many that know their shit inside out and have extensive knowledge backgrounds that would put most physical therapists to shame. However, a large percentage of them do not fall into this category. I apologize for hijacking the thread, but I clicked on it expecting to be about physical therapists.

Eh, i dunno what to say. I have almost heard every trainer i know refer to themselves as a "PT" and iv seen it on paper numerous times. Its just an abbreviation, and i dont think its standardized. If it makes him that unhappy that his abbreviation was stolen....mods please change the titleword "PT" for me to TRAINER

 

[oldfella]

Stair running is always good for a laugh and a spew!! Step ups holding dumbells at shoulder level is always good done at a rapid pace. Just a couple that come to mind. Try getting them out in the car park and push a car around for a few minutes.......very different!!

 

[bhumik]

do u have heavy balls. not the medicine ones but hte smaller ones that come in different weights from 5, 10, etc.. (you can also use weights i guess)
line them up on one end about six of them. Make them pick one run side ways a good distance and place it down. then come back and pick another.. and then repeat so they are back in their orignal position.

some of the best trainers out there are not bbers but good functional trainer. the sooner u realize this hte better you will do. For the short amount of time i personal trained i thought everyone came in to lift heavy weights and make awesome bulgin muscle and ripped tummies.. why wouldnt they?? right?? WELL WAS I WRONG.. lol..

 

[Anti_hero]

do u have heavy balls. not the medicine ones but hte smaller ones that come in different weights from 5, 10, etc.. (you can also use weights i guess)
line them up on one end about six of them. Make them pick one run side ways a good distance and place it down. then come back and pick another.. and then repeat so they are back in their orignal position.

some of the best trainers out there are not bbers but good functional trainer. the sooner u realize this hte better you will do. For the short amount of time i personal trained i thought everyone came in to lift heavy weights and make awesome bulgin muscle and ripped tummies.. why wouldnt they?? right?? WELL WAS I WRONG.. lol..

LMAO Ok I know it pertained to your thread but it reminded me of a phone prank we used to do as little kids and call the guy at the bowling alley and ask if he has 16 lb balls?
Then ask him how the hell he gets around


Ok back to topic
Bro check out www.crossfit.com
There is a ton of stuff you can do with your clients that isn’t your typical run of the mill bench press, crunches, and squats. In my experience your manager is 100% dead on, unless you’re training someone with similar goals as bbing/ powerlifing. Good luck and great idea for a thread

 

[Quad-smack]

Functional exercises are where it's at right now.
The big picture here is to fit the clients needs/wants. I have found that very few customers want to be bodybuilders but almost all need to be able to increase their day-to-day functional capacity. Fitness is an intangable or a conceptual product to sell. The best way to quantify their needs is through fitness testing and re-testing.
That being said, there is a greater variety of functional exercises than the good old basic weight lifting exercises. It is easier to keep a customer motivated, entertained as well as giving real world results to the customer.
My favorites - where appropriate:
Bosu ball balance work
Bear crawl / pushups
Dumbell overhead (snatch position) squats
any lunge / dumbell bicep or shoulder combo

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

wow, now I really have to think about this one bro, I'm sure as time passes I will post up on here.

the one big time motivator to get my clients to do more, go the distance and even "keep me coming back to them" is positive reinforcement. I ALWAYS pay them compliments no matter what.

Examples:

Awesome thats good stuff
Way to go, keep it up
That's the way to do it
Looking good
Nice, very nice
you got it
(if they cheat on a rep or two I tell them and also tell them I won't hold it against them, and they just laugh)

Things like these go a long way, and when you see the client smile you know for a fact in your head you have a client that likes you. And a client that likes you will always come back to you.

Last one: especially for my female clients I motivate them by repeating to them "come on let's go, summer time is around the corner, time to show off soon all your hard work" man oh man do their faces light up.

 

[cm]

basically everthing on a balance ball or disc is really an excuse for me to watch them fumble around. I guess they like the challenge or something. I think it is the greatest when they ask me to demonstrate and then they say 'well you do this all the time'. then I respond that my training doesn't involve these types of exercises and then I get the confused face

it is very true that they need the variety, but they also need the education. I learned this when my client kept pushing me to learn pilates. When i actually showed her how much more advanced she was then these people who do dvd's on there living room floor, she understood. But some people never get it!! Those I guess u can fuck with.(but still keep em happy)

 

[Pekkerwood]

Seen within the last week:

Barbell squats on two of those half ball things for balance.

Lady pulling a sled weighted with plates on carpet down the main aisle between the weight rooms.

My absolute new favorite:

Personal Trainer holding the ladies feet while she hand walked down that main aisle clearly visible to two weight rooms of people and one cardio studio. He is holding her feet pinned to his hips with her legs spread like he is preparing to "plow" a row. May only real suprise is he wasn't asking her to bark as she "wheel barrowed" down the aisle. While I will admit that this like most exercises certainly has benefits (humor for one, I'm laughing just remembering it), this seems better suited for a family reunion, company picnic, or Boy Scout jamboree.

 

[DOGMA]

Laying leg curls and butt blaster with the Hotties not so fun with the chunker's... LOL...

 

[TooPowerful4u]

Seen within the last week:

Barbell squats on two of those half ball things for balance.

Lady pulling a sled weighted with plates on carpet down the main aisle between the weight rooms.

My absolute new favorite:

Personal Trainer holding the ladies feet while she hand walked down that main aisle clearly visible to two weight rooms of people and one cardio studio. He is holding her feet pinned to his hips with her legs spread like he is preparing to "plow" a row. May only real suprise is he wasn't asking her to bark as she "wheel barrowed" down the aisle. While I will admit that this like most exercises certainly has benefits (humor for one, I'm laughing just remembering it), this seems better suited for a family reunion, company picnic, or Boy Scout jamboree.

Junk up somebody else's thread...not mine...thanx

 

[Pekkerwood]

TP4U:

I suppose I misunderstood your request for personal trainer exercises. I actually listed things I observed within the last week. Everyone can have different opinions of these exercises. I assume the trainers putting them through these are of the opinion these are in fact quality exercises that "keep them coming back". You may feel the same, thats your opinion.

I will offer another of my opinions which you may not share: The threads belong to the board and its members of which I am one. Its does not belong to you. When you post on an open forum expect open replies. You do not like my responses, do not reply to them or do not read them, but please do not try to decide for others including me, what is a valid, acceptable response to a thread. If you wish to limit who responds to your threads I'm sure there are private avenues for you to explore.

I wish you all the best and now or never have meant you any harm or discomfort. Be at Peace.

Pekkerwood

 

[TooPowerful4u]

TP4U:

I suppose I misunderstood your request for personal trainer exercises. I actually listed things I observed within the last week. Everyone can have different opinions of these exercises. I assume the trainers putting them through these are of the opinion these are in fact quality exercises that "keep them coming back". You may feel the same, thats your opinion.

I will offer another of my opinions which you may not share: The threads belong to the board and its members of which I am one. Its does not belong to you. When you post on an open forum expect open replies. You do not like my responses, do not reply to them or do not read them, but please do not try to decide for others including me, what is a valid, acceptable response to a thread. If you wish to limit who responds to your threads I'm sure there are private avenues for you to explore.

I wish you all the best and now or never have meant you any harm or discomfort. Be at Peace.

Pekkerwood

Alright, then its all cool. From your first post i had previously thought you were mocking and making a joke of the thread...when in fact i was being serious..

 

[N_iraq]

Great thread

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This is the typical routine i follow: WU, Multi Joint, Single Joint, AB/Core, slow cardio all this in 1 hour very little rest, balls to the wall and keep them smiling and always ask them to rate the session 1-5 (1=being crap and 5=being never again please god)

​

i have them wear HR monitors alot to esp. for the first part with the Warm up/Multi joint cause the heart rate really jumps by the end of each 1 min exercise or set of ten multi joint. it acts as a lie detector to on the other stuff cause i can tell how hard they pushed themselves on the strength training part to cause when it gets heavy (4-7 reps) i always see the heart rate get up then i ask how hard it was, i can usally tell them before they tell me.

Warm up: (usually work up to a solid minute then when they get to 2min on any of these we switch up to something new) steam engines with medicine ball, jump rope, med ball slam, med ball toss, med ball shot put, stair mill with med Ball chest to sky

Multi joint/strength & Endurance/explosive; Clean/Press/Squat (lunge) , IRON Cross, Burpee w/wo one arm row dumbell, work up from a barbell to dumbells and the row part

Single joint strength conditioning usually Supersets so that i get a big muscle and a little one. sometime they are synergistic (Chest,Tri)sometimes they are not (Chest,calves,traps) never the same routine ever. use different things like tri sets/ drop sets/ and rest pause all the time complete confusion

Abs/core to many to list incorporate cables, med balls, swiss ball, dumbbells, and str8 bars. with twisting and then there is always the Superfriends on the swiss ball for lower back:
superman- legs str8 out arms str8 out and hold ( i place my hand on their back to keep them balanced on this one)
wonderwoman-(feet on floor i hold them) raise your torso and reach across your body and block bullets with your bracelets alternating then down=1
batman- feet down like WW hands across chest w/wo med ball or dumbell raise up and hold
aqua man- same as super man but alternate arm and feet as if you were swimming

usually they are so exhausted they don't have shit left for this part
Cardio kinda about 10-15 mins

sometimes i cut things short at 30 mins and have them do some boxing mainly hitting the heavy bag and chasing me around the basketball court trying to hit me. couple women are getting strong i may have to start hitting them back

talk about the session
look forward to the next week
walk them to the car

great thread mad idea love to hear some of the stuff already looking forward to incorporating into my peeps

sorry about any typeOs, at work and trying to do this on the LOW

 

[inoverdrive]

Eh, i dunno what to say. I have almost heard every trainer i know refer to themselves as a "PT" and iv seen it on paper numerous times. Its just an abbreviation, and i dont think its standardized. If it makes him that unhappy that his abbreviation was stolen....mods please change the titleword "PT" for me to TRAINER

Damn it! I thought it meant "part time" work!! Just kidding guys!

 

[dragonfire101]

I like the medicine ball lately. I'm going to get one for home. This is good for female clients who are just getting into fitness. Lots of stuff you can do with them to keep someone interested. Kettlebells are popular also. I see alot of persons using them now. I see a lot of non bodybuilders into these two items.

 

[JETHRO TULL]

Depending on the athleticism of your client....

.......and if you actually do the lift regularily and have excellent form....Powercleans are a blast! I love that lift. I personally have seen that lift alter a few mild mannered ectomorphic types into someone who actually begins to understand intensity. Once they get the form down and grasp how explosive power-cleans are....wow. What a great lift for sports.

 

[Dave_19]

Not trying to ruffle any feathers but perhaps someone could explain to me whether or not it is correct jargon to refer to personal trainers at "PT's". The reason I ask is because I often see threads like this one where people are referring to personal trainers as "PT's". I am a physical therapist and our board of licensure recognizes a "PT" as a "physical therapist" and not a "personal trainer". Like I said, I am not trying to ruffle any feathers or come across as a dick; but as someone who has spent $250,000 in student loans to go through 7 years of undergrad and graduate work, I find it slightly offensive for a "personal trainer" to call themselves a "PT". This is not a cut on all trainers as I have met many that know their shit inside out and have extensive knowledge backgrounds that would put most physical therapists to shame. However, a large percentage of them do not fall into this category. I apologize for hijacking the thread, but I clicked on it expecting to be about physical therapists.

Its just an abbreviation: PT is 163 other things as well, http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?Acronym=pt&Find=find&string=exact

 

[Dave_19]

Laying leg curls and butt blaster with the Hotties not so fun with the chunker's... LOL...

Nah, stiff leg dead lifts while standing on a bench press, be sure to watch for proper form from behind!

Seriously though, this black dude/trainer at a golds I used to train at many years ago had every hot girl doing this. He would stand behind her and say "yeaaah, just like that, go lower, yee, mmhmm, yeeeah"