Programme Design for Coaches

A training programme is a set of instructions designed to produce a specific adaptation in a specific person. The best programme on paper fails if the client can't or won't follow it. That's why programme design is as much about people as physiology.

What great programmes have in common

• A clear goal that the client cares about.

• Appropriate exercise selection for the client's body, experience and equipment.

• The right dose — enough stimulus to drive adaptation, not so much that recovery fails.

• Progression — a plan for doing a little more over time.

• Flexibility — ways to adjust when life happens.

• Adherence — the client actually enjoys enough of it to keep coming back.

The best programme is the one the client completes. A good plan done consistently beats a perfect plan done occasionally.

The coaching cycle

The Client Assessment

Health screening

Before training anyone, screen for conditions that require medical clearance. A pre-exercise questionnaire should ask about:

• Heart disease, chest pain, fainting or palpitations.

• High blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or lung disease.

• Pregnancy or recent childbirth.

• Recent surgery, injuries, joint replacements.

• Medications.

• Family history of sudden cardiac death at a young age.

Refer clients with red flags to a doctor before starting or progressing to vigorous training.