Personal Trainer – First Training Session

Vocabulary and key concepts from the IFAA Personal Trainer module regarding the structure, planning, and execution of a client's first training session.

Main Purpose of the First Training Session

The primary goal is to gather as much information from the client as possible, including their training history, likes, fitness level, movement quality, and expectations.

Anamnesis

An initial medical history or assessment that may be included during a free consultation prior to the first training session.

General Mobilisation Programme

An alternative or general warm-up recommendation used to focus on individual client needs and prepare them for the training session.

Basic Elements of a Training Session

The sequence includes a meeting/greeting, initial warm-up, gradual increase of activity/dynamic mobilisation, main training session, cool-down, final discussion, payment/scheduling, and evaluation/follow-up.

Hidden Tasks

Unforeseen events that impede the smooth running of a session, such as answering phones, greeting other clients, cleaning up equipment, or social chatting during farewells.

Small Group Training

A training session with $2$ to approximately $12$ people, allowing participants to share costs while the trainer earns a higher overall income per session.

Core Idea of Personal Training

The principle of individuality, which most trainers maintain by limiting small group sizes to a maximum of $3$ people.

Spotting (in Small Group Weight Training)

A strategy where the trainer has participants work different muscle groups with many repetitions to allow focus on individuals requiring the most attention.

Time instead of number of repetitions

A group training monitoring method where clients perform an exercise for a specific duration, such as $30$ to $60$ seconds, instead of counting individual reps.

Client Retention Benchmark

With a good personal trainer, clients typically stay for an average of $9$ to $12$ months or longer to achieve visible results.

Mentally Preparing for Clients

The process of using travel time to the venue to think about specific client needs, backgrounds, and upcoming session organization.

Outdoor Training Equipment Checklist

Necessary items including cones as markers, weight belts/cuffs, skipping ropes, boxing equipment, balls, frisbees, towels, water bottles, cell phones, change, sunscreen, and phone numbers.

Dynamic Mobilisation

A phase that follows the initial warm-up involving a gradual increase of activity before the main training part.

Training Session Durations

The variable time lengths for a session which may be $30$, $45$, $60$, or $90$ minutes.