1/08/2012SHMD 249

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To ensure participants are happy with their progress and will keep training, it is important

that the trainer is able to design exercise programs and session plans which are relevant to

the specific needs of the participant.

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To be able to design a specific exercise program for a specific individual, you will have to carry out a comprehensive initial consultation.

This will involve the participant filling out questionnaires about their health, medical conditions, goals, and lifestyle.

This will be followed up by a face-to-face consultation to find out more about the participant.

The trainer needs to build up a detailed picture of this participant and their life so that the exercises they choose and the program they design will have the best chance of succeeding.

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER: The trainer needs to consider a range of factors to ensure the

program is appropriate and that it will benefit the participant rather than harm them.

The trainer needs to consider the following: PAR-Q responses – have any contra-indications to exercise been

identified? Medical history – do they have any conditions which may affect the

training program and choice of exercises? Current and previous exercise history – this will give an idea about

the current fitness level of the client

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER CONTINUED... Barriers to exercise – do they have constraints such as time, cost,

family responsibilities, or work commitments? Motives & goals – what is the participant aiming to achieve and

what is their timescale? Occupation – hours worked and whether work is manual or office-

based Activity levels – amount of movement they do on a daily basis Leisure time activities – whether these are active or inactive

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER CONTINUED... Diet – what, how much and when they eat Stress levels – either through work or their home life, and how

they deal with it Alcohol intake – how much they consume and how often Smoking – whether they are a smoker or ex-smoker and the

amount they smoke Time available – the client needs to fit the training into their

schedule and the trainer needs to be realistic when planning the program

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CLIENT GROUPS Clients are the central focus of the fitness industry It is essential to understand the individual needs and goals

of each client Each client needs to be treated as an individual Clients will come from a range of backgrounds, ages,

fitness levels, shapes and sizes.

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You may see the following groups of people as clients: Varied ability levels – beginners, intermediates, advanced Varied fitness levels – low, moderate or high Elderly Juniors Athletes People with specific goals, such as running a marathon or

weight loss Pregnant women People with medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes

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ACTIVITY SELECTION Once you have gathered information about the client, you

need to select the appropriate intervention in terms of the exercises you choose. You need to consider the following factors:

Likes & dislikes – what is the participant comfortable doing? Why do they not like certain exercises?

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Consider the following factors continued: Accessibility – where can they get to for their training? This

may be physical or limited by cost Culture – are they limited by their culture in terms of

expected roles and responsibilities, and also dress code? Equipment available – are activities limited by venue and

what it has to offer? You may be training in a gym or at the clients home

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To ensure the success of a program, it needs to be specific to the outcome the client wants

Therefore it is important that you find out exactly what the client would like to achieve

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The clients objectives could be any one of the following:

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ONCE YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THE ONCE YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THE OBJECTIVES, IT IS TIME TO PLAN THE OBJECTIVES, IT IS TIME TO PLAN THE

PROGRAMPROGRAM

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