How to DEsign a

fitness program

SUF-CPT

Beginner Program

I've been teaching personal trainers for over twelve years. One of the biggest challenges comes from writing client programs. Where to start? How many sets? What is the best exercise? What's the best split routine? When do I design full body vs. split routines? These questions tend to leave the CPT questioning their skill set and ultimately a new career (90% of textbook trainers quit within 12-months of getting certified.) At Show Up Fitness, our SUF-CPT prepares trainers to understand the basics of anatomy and programming- the key factors for building confidence as a new trainer. Through years of teaching and training clients, SUF developed the best training system called CCA – Core movement pattern, Core movement pattern, accessory.

The CCA is the best training program for general population clients wanting to train for 30-60 minutes. The SUF-CPT begins with a light warm-up addressing the 9-checkpoints of human movement (ankle, knee, hip, lumbar, thoracic, cervical, shoulder, elbow and elbow). After the client is physically and mentally prepared for the workout, begin with the first CCA-1 circuit. At the end of the first circuit, rest until the client is ready to increase the intensity for round 2. Repeat CCA -1 for 2-3 rounds depending on the clients conditioning.

The 8-core movement patterns are:

1- Vertical Push, 2- Vertical Pull, 3- Horizontal Push, 4- Horizontal Pull, 5- Squat, 6- Hinge, 7- Unilateral, 8- Transitional.

The accessory portion can be a single jointed isolation exercise, pre-hab / rehab, their favorite exercise, abs, cardio, mobility drills and sometimes rest (deconditioned clients.)

The majority of our clients at Show Up Fitness (physical locations in West Hollywood, La Jolla San Diego & Santa Monica) clients will be training between 1-3x per week with the trainer which usually resorts to a full body workout. For a client who is trying to lose fat and build their bottom half (glutes & legs), the first CCA would focus on lower body patterns. For example:

1- CORE MOVEMENT – SQUAT = Goblet Squat

a- CORE MOVEMENT – PUSH = PUSH-UP

b- ACCESSORY – ABS – BICYCLE KICKS

Beginners typically stick between 10-15 reps to strengthen connective tissue and optimize neuromuscular communication. After the bicycle kicks, rest until the client is ready to increase the intensity for round two. After the third round, you transition into CCA-2:

CCA-2 would look something similar to CCA-1 circuit, but you'd want to pair up antagonist upper body movements and a different lower body core pattern. For example:

2- CORE MOVEMENT – HINGE = Floor Bridge

a- CORE MOVEMENT – PULL = *Chin-ups

b- ACCESSORY – ARMS = Bicep Curls

Any exercise that is too challenging or the client is unable to perform competently, lower the reps and focus on eccentric control. For example, 2-3 eccentric chin-ups or 3-5 eccentric push-ups. Eccentric exercises are great, but they can cause a lot of DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Damage.)

For CCA-3, it would consist of the last lower body pattern along with the remaining upper body muscles that were left out. We have already performed a squat and hinge, so we're left with unilateral (we can incorporate transitional in the next workouts.) For the upper body, we have performed a push and a pull (chest and back) so we would do a vertical push to engage the shoulders – ideally we like to hit each of the 7-main muscles per workout. For example:

3- CORE MOVEMENT – UNI-LATERAL = Step-ups

a- CORE MOVEMENT – V. PUSH = Landmine Press

b- ACCESSORY – CARDIO = Mountain Climbers

If time permits, we can finish off with metabolic conditioning (MET-CON.) For example RDL's into PLANKS into 30-seconds of jumping jacks. The purpose of the workouts are NOT TO annihilate your clients, it's to teach them proper movement mechanics and get them back in for the MOST IMPORTANT WORKOUT, THE NEXT ONE.

BECOME A CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER AT

SHOW UP FITNESS – SUF-CPT

If you want to learn more about how to program as a new and/or aspiring personal trainer, sign up for the WORLD'S BEST PERSONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION HERE: SHOW UP FITNESS CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER (SUF-CPT). We have daily calls that are live and on-demand with our APP.