How Do You Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Workout Program?
Ever wondered how top fitness experts ensure their clients are on the path to success? In this insightful Q&A, Founder & CEO and Director & Physiotherapist share their go-to techniques for evaluating workout programs. Discover how tracking client-specific progress sets a strong foundation and why distinguishing between exercising and training is crucial. Explore these and other expert insights in a comprehensive article featuring a total of three invaluable perspectives.
- Track Client-Specific Progress
- Use Regular Movement Assessments
- Distinguish Between Exercising And Training
Track Client-Specific Progress
To evaluate if a workout program is working, I track tangible, client-specific progress. For example, one client wanted to improve their core strength for better posture. We measured their plank hold time weekly. Over a month, they went from 30 seconds to two minutes. This clear progression showed the program was effective for their goal. I also check how clients feel—are they more energized, less sore, or moving pain-free? Combining measurable results with client feedback ensures the program aligns with their needs and goals. For me, it's all about balancing data and real-world outcomes.
Use Regular Movement Assessments
One technique I use to evaluate the effectiveness of a workout program is regular movement assessments combined with clear, measurable goals. At The Alignment Studio, we emphasize baseline evaluations that include functional movement tests, posture analysis, and strength benchmarks. This approach ensures we understand the client's initial capabilities and areas for improvement. From there, we track progress over time by revisiting these assessments, monitoring not just physical metrics like strength and flexibility but also subjective outcomes such as pain levels and overall well-being. Communication is key, as I always ensure clients provide feedback on how their body feels during and after workouts to refine their programs.
An example of this in action was a client who came to us after a shoulder injury that had sidelined them from competitive swimming. Using my 30 years of experience in physical therapy and sports rehabilitation, I crafted a program integrating targeted physical therapy exercises with Pilates to restore mobility and strength. Over three months, we regularly reassessed their range of motion and swimming performance metrics, making gradual adjustments to the program as they progressed. By the end of their rehabilitation, not only were they pain-free, but they had regained full strength and even improved their stroke efficiency. This comprehensive and adaptive approach was key to their successful recovery and return to competitive swimming.
Distinguish Between Exercising And Training
To discuss this topic we must first make a distinction between the clients that are there to exercise and those that are there to train.
People exercise to feel healthier, perhaps look better, and sometimes to regain a certain level of physical capability. Athletes train to achieve their best in a specific sport.
For someone who exercises, the surefire way to know that the program is effective is "feedback." Make time to check in on your clients and ask for feedback about how they feel the program is going. Do they feel stronger? Usually for males, do their shirts feel tighter around the sleeves? Typically for a female, does the pant waistband feel looser? Those who exercise do not tend to be as diligent in tracking their workouts or nutrition, and therefore, it can be hard to show effectiveness on paper.
For someone who trains, the best way to check for effectiveness is "performance metrics." Certain days should be built into the program where the athlete's ability to perform is tested. Some examples are programming a personal best on a lift or a fastest-timed mile.
