Ask the Expert: Instructing clients after a long break

“The days are longer, the nights are shorter, the sun is shining, it’s noticeably warmer, Summer, every single moment is worth its weight in gold, Summer is like the world’s best story that’s waiting to be told.”

These are the immortal words of Phineas and Ferb, beloved stepbrothers in the popular eponymous kids’ cartoon.

They somehow ring true to those living in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us are returning to activity from a winter of hibernation. It’s time to dust off the sneakers, pull out the shorts and get back to moving and playing.

We know that fitness and performance levels were likely higher before the winter brought us indoors, but can we really expect to return to the same form after what may be months of inactivity.

The same can be true for someone returning after a long break due to injury or illness. Before getting completely up to speed, there are some things to keep in mind to avoid overtraining and injury.

As trainers, it is up to us to monitor our clients, outlining a program that will get them back to moving slowly, ensuring a safe and measured increase in performance level. Here are some things to keep in mind when seeing clients again after a long break:

Know Your Baseline

You may have a good idea of where your client was before a pause in his or her Pilates exercise. You may have even kept a detailed file with program data. However, your client’s fitness level may have decreased, maybe even substantially, so it is necessary to gather your baseline data again.

This may include static and dynamic postural assessments or movement screens that measure current mobility and stability capabilities. Use whatever tools you would normally employ with a new client. Then you’ll know your exact starting point and be able to effectively plot an updated Pilates workout. Remember to make your client aware of where they are currently, and help them understand that it isn’t unusual for levels to drop during times of inactivity.

Slow and Steady

It’s natural to want to improve your fitness level as quickly as possible, but starting slowly is key. It will take the neuromyofascial system some time to come back online. Start with some basic moves to strengthen the core and periphery, explore range of motion and balance, and don’t forget to focus on breathing.

In some cases, it may be more effective to have more frequent shorter Pilates workouts that fewer longer ones, for example, 30 minutes four times a week may be better than one two-hour workout. Setting periodic goals will help your client see their progress, and remember to re-assess and re-test frequently to help keep them motivated.

Prepare for the Activity

It is important to make sure the training routine matches the sport or activity of choice. For example, if your client intends to play tennis, a session exploring the benefits of mat Pilates focused mainly in the sagittal plane (forward and back), may not be ideal.

You would need to include some upright tasks that contain rotational and frontal plane (side-to-side) movements. A well-rounded program will consider the physical requirements of the activity, and ensure adequate strength and mobility is targeted.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Many of our clients are excited to be active again and want to go all out right at the beginning. Be aware that doing too much too soon is a recipe for injury. One of the greatest assets in ensuring a safe return to activity, is increasing mindfulness.

Being aware of how the body is feeling at all times will help prevent overdoing it. Beginning an exercise session with a few minutes of quiet breath work can help bring focus to how the body is feeling. Also, paying attention to the warning signs, twinges, joint grinding and popping, and stopping as soon as discomfort occurs, will help keep the body on the road to a strong summer of physical enjoyment.

Leave it to the Pro

Clients who return to a trainer after a long break are looking for guidance. As a movement professional, it is your job to give them the best program possible, while keeping in mind any limitations. Once you’ve established current levels and set reasonable goals, keeping your client motivated may pose its own challenges.

They may be discouraged by the decrease in their fitness level, or the time it will take to get them back to where they were before the break. Remind them that returning to previous levels of strength and mobility will take considerably less time than it did to achieve them in the first place. Careful guidance and a measured, knowledgeable approach will help them trust and follow your direction.

No matter the reason for the break, returning to movement will challenge both the client and the Instructor. But by working together as a team, setting and achieving goals along the way, you will be able to take part in whatever activity makes you smile.

 

Source: https://www.merrithew.com/blog/post/2022-04-27/ask-the-expert-instructing-clients-after-a-long-break

Share

Related Posts

July 1st, 2025

20 Years Apart, One Shared Passion: How Two Pilates Studios Reflect Merrithew®’s Commitment to Mindful Movement

Across borders and decades, two Pilates studios, Core Atelier in Singapore and Bcube® Pilates & Fitness in Japan, reflect the same unwavering passion for mindful movement. Though founded 20 years apart, both studios embody Merrithew®’s...

June 9th, 2025

Exercise of the Month: Single Leg Press on the Split-Pedal Stability Chair™

The Single Leg Press on the Split-Pedal Stability Chair™ delivers more than meets the eye. It builds targeted strength, balance and control for powerful, full-body results. This unilateral exercise strengthens the hips, glutes and lower body...

May 29th, 2025

The Power of Ground-Based Training

Ground-based training has a rich history, and Hammer Strength has been at the forefront of this movement since the early 90s. In collaboration with the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, we pioneered ground-based training techniques that have...

May 26th, 2025

Why the Hammer Strength Super Fly is a Must-Have for Performance Facilities

In strength and conditioning, every piece of equipment must have a clear purpose—boosting performance, feeling right, and achieving results. The Hammer Strength Super Fly is designed with these goals in mind. Unlike traditional pec fly machines...

May 19th, 2025

The Rise of Strength Training

Unlocking Longevity and Health Through the Decades - By Ian Rushbury As we move through 2025, dubbed "the year of strength training," there's a renewed focus on building resilience and longevity through targeted strength workouts. Following last...

May 13th, 2025

Why virgin rubber flooring for sport spaces is the smart choice

Why virgin rubber flooring for sport spaces is the smart choice When selecting virgin rubber for sport spaces, the material you choose defines the quality, durability, and comfort of your space and virgin rubber for sport spaces...

May 5th, 2025

Exercise of the Month: Hawk on the Short Box

This month, we’re spotlighting Hawk, a dynamic and challenging movement with lots of moving pieces (literally). It’s designed to improve balance, spinal rotation, build core strength and improve shoulder mobility. Jenna Hansen,...

April 28th, 2025

How to Get the Most Out of Your Trap Bar

The trap bar is a key tool in strength training, offering a safer, more effective alternative to the traditional barbell. Its design improves form, reduces injury risk, and targets muscles with greater precision. Ideal for exercises like deadlifts,...

April 21st, 2025

Thick Rubber Flooring: The Go-To Choice for High-Intensity Training Spaces

Thick rubber flooring: the go-to choice for high-intensity training spaces  High-intensity training spaces are designed for performance, durability, and intensity. Whether it’s CrossFit, functional fitness, HIIT, or strength training,...

April 15th, 2025

A Facility Manager’s Guide to Symbio™ by Life Fitness

As a facility manager, you face the challenge of attracting new members while retaining current ones. Symbio, our latest premium cardio line, fills market gaps, distinguishes your facility, and addresses major pain points on your cardio floor. By...