Initial Session: Overview
Purpose
The purpose of the first session is to get to know the client and gather as much information as possible. It's important to be yourself and think of it as a conversation where you let the client talk, rather than an interrogation. During this session, you should ask about the client's long and short term goals, limitations, dietary habits, training schedule, and any other relevant information that will be useful in building a training and nutrition plan to deliver the results the client is after. The client should leave the session with clear and actionable steps, as well as an understanding of what to expect moving forward.
Structure
Rough time frame 60-90 minutes for initial session:
00:00-00:01 - Meet Client at front desk
Meet the client at the front desk by warmly welcoming them to Thesis and introducing yourself. Take a moment to briefly explain what the first session entails while to walk to a quiet place to start the Client Discovery. By taking the time to do this, you are setting a positive tone for what it means to be a Thesis client by demonstrating that you care about the client's experience.
00:02-20:00 - Discussion: Client Discovery (Let client talk)
Find a quiet place to sit down with the client where they can feel comfortable talking about their life and goals. Start a conversation by asking them open-ended, lifestyle based questions, with the intention of discovering their health and fitness goals, obstacles they are up against, prior commitments, and any non-negotiables you will have to work around. Asking open-ended questions and allowing the client to share their thoughts and concerns can help build trust and rapport, and can provide valuable insights into their motivations and goals. Overall, this approach can help create a more personalized coaching experience and can increase the likelihood of success in achieving the client's health and fitness objectives.
20:00-30:00 - Measurements & Pictures
Initial measurements will be taken in the Measurement Room. All clients will complete an Inbody scan and blood pressure reading. Depending on clients goals, circumference measurements can also be used as a starting point.
Initial photos will be taken in the Photo Room. Ideally, the client will wear minimal clothing. Men will be shirtless in athletic shorts. Women will be in a sports bra and shorts or leggings. The reason for this is the less clothing the more change you are able to see in progress pictures, however it is entirely up to the client, and their comfort level, when it comes to how much clothing they wear. It's important to ensure that clients feel comfortable and informed throughout this process, by explaining the purpose and benefits of taking measurements and photographs and obtaining their consent beforehand.
Taking measurements and photographs of a new client during their initial session is an important step in developing a customized plan to achieve their goals. Measuring body composition, such as body fat percentage on the Inbody, can provide valuable information about a client's current fitness level and help set realistic goals for their fitness journey. Additionally, taking photographs can be used as a visual aid when tracking progress and provide motivation for clients as they work towards their goals.
30:00-40:00 - Movement Assessment
Performing an initial movement assessment on a new client is essential to identify any potential strength, movement, or mobility limitations. By assessing movements such as the overhead squat and split squat pattern; flexion, extension, as well as internal and external rotation of the shoulder, coaches can gain a deeper understanding of a client's current physical state. These assessments can help identify any muscle imbalances, joint restrictions, and mobility issues that could impact the client's ability to perform exercises safely and effectively. By pinpointing these limitations early on, coaches can tailor their training prescription to address specific areas of weakness and help their clients achieve better results while minimizing the risk of injury. Overall, incorporating an initial movement assessment into a training program can help personalize the experience and set the foundation for a safe and effective fitness journey.
40:00-60:00 - Introductory Workout
Based on the information gleaned from the client discovery and movement assessment, take the client through an introductory workout. Incorporate the principles of German Body Composition, ideally pairing a lower body compound exercise with an upper body compound exercise with 60-90 seconds rest in between. Base the length and intensity of this initial workout on the fitness level of the client, as well as how much time is left in the session. Some clients may have more capacity than others. In other words, a client how has never trained before may only be able to handle one series paring, whereas a client with a training history may be able to handle two series pairings and a metabolic finisher at the end. The goal is to introduce the client to resistance training and what it means to push themselves. This will set the foundation for how future workouts will be structured and what to expect going forward.
60:00-80:00 - Discussion: Setting Expectations (You talk)
In the final part of the first session, the coach will summarize all the information gathered about the client, including their goals, lifestyle habits, non-negotiables, and any physical limitations based on the movement assessment. At this time the coach will also set clear and achievable expectations for the client moving forward. By establishing specific goals, and outlining the steps required to achieve those goals, and providing a clear timeline for progress, coaches can help clients stay motivated and focused. Additionally, by setting expectations around frequency of workouts, nutrition, as well as rest and recovery, coaches can help ensure that clients are engaging in healthy and sustainable behaviors that will lead to long-term success.
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