Training the Challenging Client

About a month ago I was finishing taking a prospective new client’s medical and injury history

and running him through a movement assessment that I use to evaluate all of my potential

clients. As he described his various orthopedic and cardiovascular issues he said to me, “I’ll

probably be the most challenging client you work with.”

I remember laughing to myself and thinking that each client with whom I work presents their

own unique challenges. And, truth be told, if I were to give a prize to the most challenging client

I train, IT WOULD BE ME!

I am a candidate for a partial knee replacement, shoulder replacement and am currently

rehabbing from Achilles tendon surgery. As I have continued to train (because I believe that you

can’t go wrong getting strong) I have had to adapt and modify my exercise routine. This has

meant removing certain exercises like overhead pressing as well as modifying other exercises

like flat bench pressing to take into account my limitations. Most importantly, it has meant

focusing on exercises that counter the effects of a long training career and help me deal with

my injuries.

The most important adaptation has been to refocus on exercises that build my posterior chain-

the muscles of my upper back, glutes and legs. It has meant doing my exercises on one leg and

challenging balance and imbalances on certain sides of my body. I trust that doing these

exercises myself has made me a better coach/trainer as I help my clients deal with their own

individual challenges.

Through it all, both designing programs for my clients and myself, I have gained a greater

appreciation for the design of the human body. Our ability to adapt and improve in the midst of

adversity has helped to remind me that I am simply a gardener working in soil that has been

created by a power far greater than me.