You want to get your clients the best functional training. How do you choose the right platform?

Choosing a platform, workout, or movement depends on the individuals needs and their interest in it. Coming up with ways to make the is enjoyable while giving them the stimulus they need is crucial for long term adherence.

Not every client can work at the same volume of exercise. They also differ in functional movement screening results. The exercises used in a training program must offer the opportunity for skills development. They must be basic and general enough to allow the trainee a fair chance to develop consistent movement patterns. Increases in intensity are dependent on the client’s strength, flexibility, and cardio-vascular/respiratory endurance. When ready intensity can become one of the variables in the training program. Each client being unique there can be no beginning standards. As a coach I must set functional movement goals, and “begin with the end in mind.” Thus begins functional training with a long toe on the graph towards excellence.

Functional training relates to what the person's needs are. Looking to function better around an office job is different to wanting to perform better on a football field. So you would need to consider both but in essence, it is training that helps the individual function better in day-to-day life and sport.

Platform is the theoretical techniques used to get a trainee to a goal. I like the idea of broad, general, and inclusive exercise. It works because I don’t give ownership of the techniques or exercises to anyone. In reality whoever created these movements in the beginning is a moot point. How I employ separate exercises is based on my experience and conceptual understanding of human performance. What is clear to me is that the broad concepts of strength, Cardio-vascular/respiratory endurance, flexibility and a few other points are paramount to an offer filled with possibility and reward.

Platforms are great to help support individuals to reach their goals. They can help with tracking and monitoring their progress. They can provide technique videos and follow-along workouts to make sure they perform the exercises to the best of their ability. Overall they are great at helping you to reach your goals faster.

Choosing a platform would depend on the needs and wants of the individual. Do they want something simple to just track their progress or do they want a more in-depth platform that has more features they feel they would benefit from? Sometimes more isn't always better and keeping things as simple as possible helps to navigate the platform easier. Leading to more value.l

It is counterproductive to choose a platform. Choose a coach. I have found it helpful to have a client answer a few basic questions before signing on. A progress chart in their file can also be helpful if the coach deigns to establish a few helpful metrics to illustrate road-markers along the path. It’s a fun game. By setting some common standards based on age clients can more easily appreciate the efforts they make towards their goals. Small rewards along the path build the brand development of a platform. Remembering that a successful client is an educated client, I have found more success in showing progress along the journey. I use small steps, with a connection to the beginning results of their journey with me.

Always consider space and logistics of the movements with the amount of people you need to make a class profitable. Equipment can be relatively minimal but you do need free space for big movement.