A power point that identifies evidence required for the programming unit level 3 personal training

1. Programming Personal
Training with Clients
Level 3 Certificate in
Personal Training
© Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ), 2010
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, reproduction of this resource for assisting course delivery is permissible for approved CYQ training providers
for INTERNAL USE only.

2. Unit Aims
The learner will:
• Understand how to prepare PT programmes
• Understand the importance of long term behaviour
change for PT
• Understand the principles of collecting information
to plan a PT programme
• Understand how to screen clients prior to a PT
programme
• Understand how to identify PT goals with clients
• Understand how to plan a PT programme with
clients

3. Unit Aims
The learner will:
• Understand how to adapt a PT programme
with clients
• Be able to collect information about clients
• Be able to agree goals with clients
• Be able to plan a PT programme with clients
• Be able to manage a PT programme
• Be able to review progress with clients
• Be able to adapt a PT programme with clients

4. How the Unit is Assessed
Case Study and Viva:
Using a real, apparently healthy individual (e.g.
a peer, family member, friend or partner) who
does not require medical intervention,
learners are required to produce and
implement a case study that contains:
• Client profile
• Detailed 4 week PT programme
• 12 week PT overview

5. How the Unit is Assessed
Client Profile:
• Client’s personal details
• Description of lifestyle
• Medical screening (PARQ)
• Postural screening
• Past and present physical activity
• Exercise preferences

6. How the Unit is Assessed
Client Profile:
• Description of client’s attitude to physical
activity
• Stage of readiness to participate
• SMART goals (short, medium and long
term)
• Barriers to achieving goals
• Proposed strategies to overcome barriers

7. How the Unit is Assessed
Detailed 4 Week Programme:
The 4 week plan should contain a minimum of 4
session plans (1 per week) and the sessions
should be between 30 and 60 minutes duration.
For each session there should be:
• Detailed session plan/programme card
• Session evaluations (with records of adjustments
made)
• Evidence of adjustments made to 4 week plan
• Client evaluations

8. How the Unit is Assessed
Session Plans:
The session plans with the 4 week plan must
also contain:
• Appropriate warm up activities
• A minimum of 2 of the following
cardiovascular approaches to training (on CV
machines or other CV modes):
– Interval
– Fartlek
– Continuous

9. How the Unit is Assessed
Session Plans:
• A minimum of 4 resistance approaches using
RT machines, FW or alternative methods
(e.g. body weight):
– Pyramid sets
– Super-setting
– Giant sets
– Tri sets
– Forced reps
– Pre/post exhaust
– Negative/eccentric training

10. How the Unit is Assessed
Session Plans:
• 1 core stability exercise
• 1 PNF stretch
• Appropriate cool down activities

11. How the Unit is Assessed
Session Plans:
• Content may be spread across all 4 sessions and
do not have to be in each session
• 1 session plan must contain information regarding
environments not designed specifically for
exercise (e.g. outdoor, office, home)
• The programme should specify the acute variables
to be applied (sets, reps, intensity, time, rest)
• The programme should meet the client’s goals
and should adhere to sound principles of
programming

12. How the Unit is Assessed
12 Week PT Overview:
The 12 week programme should relate to
and build on the 4 week programme and
should show projected logical progression
from the 4 week programme at weeks 6
and 12.

13. How the Unit is Assessed
Viva:
The viva will ensure that you have sufficient
knowledge and understanding of the PT
programme they have devised.
Your ability to progress or regress activities
according to the client’s goals, wants and
needs will also be assessed during the
viva.

14. How to Prepare PT Programmes
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Describe the range of resources required
to deliver a PT programme
• Explain how to work in environments that
are not specifically designed for
exercise/physical activity

15. Resources
Environment for the session:
• Inside areas (e.g. gym, studio, sports hall,
home/office)
• Outside areas (e.g. parks)

16. Resources
Portable equipment:
• Benches
• Free weights
• Bands
• Steps
• Swiss balls
• Medicine balls
• Dumbbells

17. Resources
Fixed equipment:
• Fixed resistance machines
• Cable machines
• CV machines (e.g. Upright/recumbent
cycle, treadmill, stepper, rowing machine,
elliptical trainer and cross trainer)
• Vibration plates

18. Environment
Consider the following:
•Health and safety considerations relating to
different environments, to include:
– Environment
– Equipment
– Clothing
– Support from others
– Others users of the environment

19. Environment
Consider the following:
• Personal safety issues
• Weather conditions
• First aid equipment
• Knowledge of location and of facilities
(e.g. Toilets, drinking water, route
planning)
• Possible hazards

20. Environment
Consider the following:
• Public liability insurance
• Risk assessment
• Available space
• Any additional planning requirements
• Body weight exercises

21. Portable Equipment
• Hand weights/dumbbells
• Resistance bands
• Focus pads
• Medicine balls
• Stability balls
• Skipping ropes

22. Portable Equipment
• Step
• Benches
• Trees
• TRX
• Bosu

23. Long Term Behaviour Change for
PT
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Explain why it is important for clients to
understand the advantages of PT
• Explain why it is important for a PT to work
together with clients to agree goals, objectives,
programmes and adaptations
• Explain the importance of long term behaviour
change in developing client fitness
• Explain how to ensure clients commit themselves
to long term change

24. Advantages of Personal Training
• Regular 1:1 contact with instructor to aid
motivation
• Increased motivation and adherence
• More frequent programme reviews
• Formal reviews as scheduled and agreed
with client
• Informal reviews, ongoing observation and
assessment at every session
• Programmes updated and progressed more
regularly

25. Advantages of Personal Training
• Individualised programmes for the
participant – more personal
• Programmes designed to address
functional capability including core stability,
postural deviations as well as client goals
• Reduced risk of injury whilst training
• Continuous feedback on technique
• Goals achieved by the client more quickly

26. Goals and Objectives
• To ensure programmes truly address
client’s specific needs
• Client is paying for the service, therefore
expects goals to be achieved
• Discuss the benefits of progressive
exercise programmes
• Change programmes immediately if a
client’s circumstances change

27. Strategies for Managing Change
• Behaviour
– Substituting alternatives
– Rewards
– Social support
– Commitment

28. Strategies for Managing Change
• Cognitive
– Increasing knowledge of benefits
– Risks
– Consequences
– Understanding beliefs
– Identifying healthier choices

29. Strategies for Managing Change
• Humanistic
– Relationship between client and instructor

30. How to Use Strategies
• Decision balance sheet to identify barriers
• Problem solving strategies for overcoming
barriers
• Increase confidence
• Goal setting
• Action planning
• Promoting autonomy and
interdependence (relational skills)

31. Approaches to Long Term
Behaviour Change
Consider the following:
• How to plan an intervention to increase
likelihood of participation
• How to integrate various methods of
behaviour change in the development of an
exercise programme

32. Social Support
• Friends
• Family
• Other service users
• Buddy systems and training partners
• Group exercise

33. Teaching Approach
Consider the following:
•Learning styles (visual, aural, kinaesthetic)
•Verbal and non-verbal communication
•Equal opportunities (e.g. age, gender, race,
disability)

34. Goal Setting
Agree SMART goals (short, medium and
long term)
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-framed

35. Principles of Progression
Apply the principles of progression, to include:
• Specificity
• Progressive overload
• Reversibility
• Adaptability
• Individuality
• Recovery time

36. Client Commitment
To ensure client commitment, also consider the
benefits of:
•A reward system
•Self belief and visualisation techniques
•Relapse strategies
•Having a network of support
And consider the risks of overtraining and its
impact on long term behaviour change

37. Collecting Information
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Explain the principles of informed consent
• Explain why informed consent should be
obtained
• Summarise the client information that
should be collected

38. Informed Consent
Consider the following:
• Adhere to the Code of Ethical Practice
• Identify health and safety considerations
• Refer to a GP or other medical
professional where required
• Take into account data protection
requirements

39. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Personal goals
–Future goals and aspirations
–Expectations

40. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Lifestyle information:
– Work patterns
– Eating patterns
– Relevant personal circumstances
– Stress levels
– Hobbies/regular activities
– Time available to exercise
– Family/friends support

41. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Medical history
– Health history (health questionnaire)
– Current health status (PARQ or alternative)
– Risk factors
– Identification of medical conditions requiring
medical clearance
– Past and present injuries and disabilities
– Postural analysis
– Any musculoskeletal discomfort

42. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Physical activity history
– Past and current
• Physical activity likes and dislikes
– Past and current

43. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Motivation and barriers to participation
– Attitude
– Perceived barriers
– Actual barriers
– Intrinsic barriers (e.g. fear, embarrassment)
– Extrinsic barriers (e.g. time, cost, family
commitments)

44. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Current fitness level
– Evaluation of current levels of all components of
fitness, to include:
• Muscular strength
• Muscular endurance
• Cardio respiratory fitness
• Flexibility
• Motor skills
• Core stability
• Functional ability

45. Client Information
Assess components of fitness by taking
physical measurements as appropriate for the
clients:
•Blood pressure (manual and digital)
•Anthropometrics (height and weight, waist
circumference or waist to hips ratio)
•Body Mass Index
•CV fitness (e.g. Astrand bike test, Rockport
walking test, step test, Cooper 12 minute
walk/run)

46. Client Information
Assess components of fitness by taking
physical measurements as appropriate for the
clients:
•Range of motion (e.g. Sit and reach test, visual
assessments during stretch positions)
•Muscular fitness (e.g. Abdominal curl/sit up
test, press up test)
•Postural assessments (e.g. Squat technique,
walking gait)

47. Client Information
Collect the following information:
• Stage of readiness
– Stated future goals and aspirations
– Exercise readiness questionnaire
• Posture and alignment
– Upper and lower body
– Repetitive movement patterns that may cause issues
• Functional ability
– Ability to carry out everyday tasks easily and pain free
– Using an ADL questionnaire

48. How to Screen Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Explain how to interpret information collected from
the client in order to identify client needs and
goals
• Explain how to analyse client responses to the
PARQ
• Describe types of medical conditions that will
prevent PTs from working with a client (unless
they have specialist training/qualifications)
• Explain how and when PTs should refer clients to
another professional

49. Information Gathering
• Select and record client information
correctly
• Obtain consent to exercise
• Identify contraindications to exercise
• Recognise and defer clients where
applicable

50. Information Gathering
• Consider methods for collecting objective
information
• Consider methods for collecting subjective
information
• Use additional questioning where required
• Check client’s understanding of the
information collected

51. Analyse Client Response to
PARQ
Consider the following:
• Any ‘yes’ responses
• Client concerns regarding readiness
• Instructor concerns regarding readiness
• How to interpret client’s body language
• High blood pressure reading

52. Analyse Client Response to
PARQ
Consider the following:
• High heart rate reading (tachycardia ›100 bpm)
• Low heart rate reading (bradycardia ‹60bpm)
• Whether any additional questioning is required

53. Medical Conditions
The following types of medical conditions will
prevent PTs from working with clients (unless
they have specialist training/qualifications):
•CHD
•Pre and post natal
•Diabetes
•Disability
•Cancer
•Stroke

54. Medical Conditions
The following types of medical conditions will
prevent PTs from working with clients (unless
they have specialist training/qualifications):
•Severe musculoskeletal issues/injuries
•Ageing (when resulting in age-related issues)
•Exercise referral (specific controlled medical
conditions)
•Obesity
•Rehabilitation patients

55. Referral
Consider the limits of your own expertise and
competence in prescribing a progressive
exercise programme. Refer where required to:
•GP
•Physiotherapist
•Other health professionals/consultants
•Senior colleague (if appropriately qualified)

56. How to Identify PT Goals with
Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Explain how to identify client’s short, medium
and long term goals
• Identify when PTs should involve others,
apart from their clients, in goal setting
• Explain how to use SMART objectives in a
PT programme

57. Goal Setting
Identify short, medium and long term goals
for the following:
•General health and fitness
•Physiological
•Psychological
•Lifestyle
•Social
•Functional ability

58. Goal Setting
• Short term goal: weekly (mini process goals)
• Medium term goal: 1 – 3 months (process goals)
• Long term goal: 3 – 6, 6 – 12 months (outcome
goals)

59. Goal Setting
Consider involving others where appropriate:
• Positive ParQ – referral/deferral
• Family and friends for external support and
encouragement
• GP or other health professional for medical
reasons

60. Goal Setting
Use SMART goals to:
• Break down a long term goal into more
achievable sub-goals and to enhance
sense of progression/success
• Demonstrate progress against baseline
measures
• Structure a PT programme

61. How to Plan a PT Programme
with Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Identify credible sources of guidelines on programme design and
safe exercise
• Summarise the key principles of designing programmes to achieve
short, medium and long term goals, including the order and
structure of sessions
• Describe a range of safe and effective exercises/physical activities
to develop all components of fitness
• Explain how to include physical activities as part of the client’s
lifestyle to compliment exercise sessions
• Explain how to design programmes that can be run in environments
not designed specifically for exercise
• Identify when it might be appropriate to share the programme with
other professionals

62. Sources of Information
• ACSM guidelines
• Reputable internet sources
• British Heart Foundation (BHF) guidelines
• Reputable journals (e.g. BHF, REPs etc)

63. Principles of Programme Design
Apply the principles of FITT:
Frequency
Intensity
Time
Type

64. Principles of Programme Design
Consider ACSM guidelines:
CV fitness
• High intensity, low duration, or moderate to vigorous
exercise with longer duration
• 64% and 70 – 94% of MHR
• Those already physically active (in aerobic activity)
require intensities at high end of continuum
• For most individuals intensities within a range of
77% to 90% of MHR are sufficient to achieve
improvements in CV fitness

65. Principles of Programme Design
Consider ACSM guidelines:
Muscular fitness
• F – 2-3 times a week
• I – 8-10 exercises (1 per main muscle group),
1 set of 8-12 reps on each exercise,
resistance 75% 1RM
• T – 20 minutes
• T – resistance machines/free weights

66. Principles of Programme Design
Consider ACSM guidelines:
Flexibility
• F – ideally 5-7 times per week
• I – to the end of ROM at point of tightness
• T – 15-30 seconds for each stretch
• T – static stretches

67. Principles of Programme Design
Consider the following:
• Overload
• Adaptation
• Specificity
• Reversibility
• Progression
• Regression
• Rest and recovery
(during and between sessions)

68. Principles of Programme Design
Apply the principles of periodisation:
• Macrocycles: long term (outcome) goal
• Mesocycles: medium term (process) goals
• Microcycles: short term (process) goals,
where the detail of each training session is
applied

69. Principles of Programme Design
Consider the order and relevance of fitness
components for each session:
•Warm up
•Flexibility (as part of warm up)
•Balance, motor skills training, proprioception
training
•Core stability
•Cardiovascular workout
•Muscular conditioning
•Cool down, including flexibility

70. Principles of Programme Design
CV Fitness
Consider the advantages and
disadvantages of each training system:
• Interval
• Fartlek
• Continuous/constant pace training

71. Principles of Programme Design
Muscular Fitness
Apply the following (as appropriate):
• Strength
• Endurance
• Power
Using a range of:
• Resistance machines
• Free weights
• Cables
• Body weight exercises

72. Principles of Programme Design
RT machines:

73. Principles of Programme Design
Exercise bands:

74. Principles of Programme Design
Free weights:

75. Principles of Programme Design
Cables:

76. Principles of Programme Design
Flexibility:
•Static flexibility exercises
•Dynamic flexibility exercises
•PNF – assisted flexibility exercises
•Self myofascial release – foam rolling

77. Principles of Programme Design
Motor Skills
• Balance and coordination exercises
• Exercises that challenge proprioception/
spacial awareness

78. Principles of Programme Design
Core Stability
• Stabilisation core exercises for the spine
• Mobilisation core exercises for the spine

79. Principles of Programme Design
Core stability exercises:
• Drawing-in manoeuvre (stabilisation)
• Superman (stabilisation)
• Floor bridge (stabilisation)
• Plank (stabilisation)
• Abdominal crunch (movement)
• Reverse crunch (movement)
• Cable rotation (movement)

80. Principles of Programme Design
Aim to include physical activities as part of the client’s
lifestyle to compliment exercise sessions, to include:
•Activities of daily living (e.g. gardening, housework,
shopping, walking)
•Benefits of using pedometers – walking
•Leisure activities (e.g. sports, hobbies)
•Family activities (e.g. family activity)
•Variety to aid motivation and adherence
•Cumulative effect of being more active on a daily basis
Include on programme card as agreed with client

81. How to Adapt a PT Programme
with Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Explain how the principles of training can be used to
adapt the programme where required
• Describe the different training systems and their use in
providing variety and in ensuring programmes remain
effective
• Explain why it is important to keep accurate records of
changes and the reasons for change

82. CV Training Systems
Consider the advantages and
disadvantages of each of these training
systems:
•Interval
•Fartlek
•Continuous/constant pace training
•Circuit training
•Random

83. CV Physiological Adaptations

84. RT Systems
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each
of these training systems:
•Pyramid systems
•Super setting (agonist/antagonist; agonist/agonist)
•Giant sets
•Tri sets
•Forced repetitions
•Pre/post exhaust
•Negative/eccentric training
•Stripping method
•Cheating method

85. RT
Anatomical and
Physiological
Adaptations

86. RT Variables
Apply the variables to RT to programme design:
• Progressive overload
• Exercise choice
• Exercise sequence
• Equipment
• Environment
• Split routines
• Type of muscle contraction
• Individuality (workout time; recovery time)

87. RT Mesocycles
• Hypertrophy
• Strength phase
• Power phase
• Peaking phase
• Active recovery phase

88. Biomechanics
Apply the principles of biomechanics, to
include:
• Centre of gravity
• Momentum
• Posture and alignment
• Levers
• Stability

89. Flexibility Systems
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each
of these training methods:
•CRAC (contract, relax, agonist, contract)
•PNF (Proprioception Neuromuscular Facilitation)
•Self myofascial release
•Static
•Ballistic
•Dynamic
•Partner stretching

90. Record Keeping
Maintain accurate records of changes, in relation to:
•Client’s short term and long term SMART goals
•Correct intensity
•Different exercise choices
•Adaptations and modifications
•Long term behaviour change
Using an appropriate programme card

91. Collecting Information about Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Establish rapport with the client
• Explain own role and responsibilities to clients
• Collect the information needed to plan a
programme using appropriate methods
• Show sensitivity and empathy to clients and the
information they provide
• Record the information using appropriate formats
in a way that will aid analysis
• Treat confidential information correctly

92. Establishing Rapport
Consider the following:
• The importance of empathy, warmth, honesty
and genuineness
• Identifying potential barriers to
instructor/client interaction
• The use of effective questioning techniques
• The importance of active listening skills
• Understanding the significance of non-verbal
communication
• The need to maintain client confidentiality

93. PT Role and Responsibilities
Consider the following:
• The Code of Ethical Practice
• REPs registration
• Client/trainer contract outlining role and
responsibilities
• Positive communication
• Clear instructions and arrangements
• Sources of help/contact
• Professionalism

94. Recording of Information
Record information using appropriate
formats, to include:
•Medical questionnaires, psychological
questionnaires, lifestyle questionnaires
•Fitness assessment portfolio/records (CV
fitness, muscular strength, muscular
endurance, flexibility, body composition,
neuromuscular efficiency, posture, BP)

95. Agreeing Goals with Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Work with clients to agree short term,
medium term and long term goals
appropriate to their needs
• Ensure the goals are SMART
• Agree with clients their needs and
readiness to participate

96. Agreeing Goals
Work with clients to agree short, medium and long term
goals appropriate to their needs:
•Client to agree and set a goal contract
•Identify and agree appropriate goal evaluation procedures
•Review process agreed with the client
•Adopt a flexible approach according to the client’s needs
and abilities
•Ensure goals are SMART
•Conduct a readiness to exercise questionnaire

97. Planning a PT Programme
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Plan specific outcome measures, stages of
achievement and exercise/physical activities
• Ensure the components of fitness are built into the
programme
• Apply the principles of training to help clients achieve
goals
• Agree the demands of the programme with clients
• Agree a timetable of sessions with clients
• Agree appropriate evaluation methods and review
dates

98. Planning a PT Programme
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Identify the resources needed for the
programme, including the use of
environments not designed for exercise
• Record plans in a format that will help clients
and others involved to implement the
programme
• Agree how to maintain contact with the client
between sessions

99. Planning a PT Programme
Agree a timetable of sessions with clients:
• Short term plan (weekly session plan)
• Medium term plan (e.g. 3 month plan)
• Long term plan
(e.g. 6 month or 12 month plan)
Carry out regular reviews of:
• Short term process goals
• Medium term process goals
• Long term outcome goals

100. Managing a PT Programme
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Ensure effective integration of all programme
exercises/physical activities and sessions
• Provide alternatives to the programmed
exercises/physical activities if clients cannot
take part as planned
• Monitor clients’ progress using appropriate
methods

101. Reviewing Progress with Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Explain to clients the purpose of review
• Review short, medium and long term goals with clients
at agreed points in the programme, taking into account
any changes in circumstances
• Encourage clients to give their own views on progress
• Use agreed evaluation guidelines
• Give feedback to clients during their review that is
likely to strengthen their motivation and adherence
• Agree review outcomes with clients
• Keep an accurate record of reviews and their outcome

102. Evaluation
Review the following:
• Session aims
• SMART goals
• Activities
• Client performance
• Own performance (preparation and
delivery)
• Health and safety

103. Adapting PT Programmes with
Clients
By the end of the session you will be able to:
• Identify goals and exercises/physical
activities that need to be redefined or
adapted
• Agree adaptations, progressions and
regressions to meet clients’ needs to
optimise achievement