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How to Train Clients Like Athletes (Even if They’re Not One)
Introduction: Why Training Like an Athlete Benefits Your Clients
Your clients may not be professional athletes, but they can still train like one to build strength, move better, and improve overall fitness. Whether they want to lift heavier, run faster, or just move pain-free, incorporating athletic training principles will elevate their results. As a personal trainer, understanding how to structure strength, power, speed, and conditioning work can set you apart in the industry. This approach not only improves performance but also reduces injury risk—a key concern for any client, from weekend warriors to advanced lifters. Here’s how to train your clients like athletes, ensuring they move better, feel stronger, and get the most out of their sessions.
Watch on YouTube – Hit play below to watch the full episode: How to Train Your Client Like an Athlete (Even if They’re Not One) | Storm Fitness Academy
Listen on the Podcast – Prefer audio? Tune in here:
1. Strength as the Foundation
Athletes build their performance on a base of functional strength. Instead of isolating muscles, their training focuses on movements that translate into real-life performance.
Key Strength Exercises for Clients
✅ Squats – Develop lower body power and mobility
✅ Deadlifts – Essential for total-body strength and posture
✅ Pull-Ups – Improve upper body and grip strength
✅ Presses (Overhead & Bench) – Build pushing power
Programming Tip: Implement progressive overload and multi-joint exercises to mimic real-world movement patterns.
2. Power Training for Speed & Strength
To train clients like athletes, add power-based movements that help develop explosiveness. This is crucial for clients looking to enhance performance, whether in sports, lifting, or daily activities.
Best Power Exercises for Clients
Olympic Lifts (Clean & Jerk, Snatch) – Great for developing full-body explosiveness
Box Jumps & Broad Jumps – Train fast-twitch muscle fibres
Medicine Ball Slams & Throws – Enhance rotational power
Pro Tip: Keep power sets short (3-6 reps) with full recovery to maximise output and minimise injury.
3. Agility & Speed for Athletic Movement
Even if your clients aren’t training for a sport, improving their agility and speed can enhance coordination, reaction time, and movement efficiency.
How to Build Speed & Agility in Clients
Sprint Drills – Improve acceleration and endurance
Ladder Drills & Cone Drills – Enhance foot speed and reaction time
Sled Pushes – Develop explosive lower body power
Key Coaching Tip: Teach proper sprint mechanics, including knee drive, arm swing, and explosive starts.
4. Conditioning: Sport-Specific Energy Systems
Conditioning isn’t just about long treadmill runs. Athletes train their energy systems to match the demands of their sport. You can use this approach to customise your clients’ cardio.
For Strength-Focused Clients: Use anaerobic work (sled pushes, HIIT sprints).
For Endurance Clients: Develop aerobic capacity (longer steady-state cardio).
For Mixed Goals: Combine interval-based training (circuit-style workouts, functional conditioning).
5. Injury Prevention & Recovery
Athletes spend as much time recovering and preventing injuries as they do training. Your clients will benefit from the same approach.
Mobility Work – Prioritise hips, shoulders, and ankles for movement efficiency
Active Recovery – Include stretching, foam rolling, and low-intensity movement
Cold Therapy – Great for reducing soreness and enhancing recovery
Trainer’s Tip: Most injuries stem from poor movement patterns. Focus on movement quality first, then intensity.
Want to Become an Expert in Strength & Conditioning?
If you want to improve your training skills and work with serious athletes or advanced clients, consider getting certified in Strength and conditioning.
Enrol in our Level 4 Strength & Conditioning Course to:
✅ Master athletic training principles
✅ Learn advanced programming for performance
✅ Work with high-level clients and athletes
Final Thoughts: Training Smarter, Not Just Harder
By applying athletic training methods, you’ll maximise your clients’ results while reducing injury risks. Whether they’re chasing strength, power, or endurance, using structured, science-backed programming will elevate your coaching.
Now, start coaching like an elite trainer and help your clients train like athletes!
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