PTs: What to do in your first session?

Your first session with your client can always be tricky. You’ve gone through your paperwork in the consultation. Now you need to use your knowledge and experience to know what exercises to use and how hard to push your client.

Having a flexible range of exercises in the programme is key to making sure the session flows. Think of exercises that are easy to progress and regress to provide the necessary stimulus for your client.

Here is an example of a ViPR programme I used with a new client at Feel Good PT who was new to exercise with poor fitness levels. I created and downloaded the programme from www.ptonthenet.com.

Warm Up
Cardio Program
Activity Intensity Duration Comments VIPR 20 minutes
Summary Of Program
Activity Type Sets Reps Duration Tempo Intensity Rest Basic Squat Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Chest Press - On Bench With DB Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Shoulder Press - Standing With DB Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Deadlift - Dumbbells Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Rotatory, Step (Sagittal), Pivot Step Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Flip (outdoor sagittal), Run, Quick feet (180° turn) Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Tilt (Sagittal), Shuffle (Sagittal plane with Turn), Shuffle - 180° turn Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute Lift / Shift (Posterior), Standing Hip Flexion to Extention, Staggered Stance Exercise 3 1 minute 1 minute
Cool Down
BASIC SQUAT Reps : Sets : 3  Intensity : Tempo : Rest : 1 minute  Duration : 1 minute  Preparation : Ensure the individual has strength in the posterior chain (glutes, hamstrings and erector spinae) before prescribing this exercise. Movement : Stand tall with the gaze straight ahead. Initiate a squat with a knee bend. As the knees bend past 10 degrees, push the hips back and keep bending the knees. Only descend into the squat half way as shown. Squat back up and repeat pattern.

 TIP

The reason I chose perform the exercise for 1 minute compare to giving a set rep range is that is allows your client to push themselves within their comfort zone. You can then increase the intensity by increasing the weights, changing tempo, time, or progressing the exercise. I use this with clients for the first session to give me more detail on their fitness and capability. 

One of the most important areas that I think is often overlooked when taking on a new client is their ability to be coached. This is why I have chosen the deadlift - it's a more complex lift, which allows me to see how responsive my clients are to learning new movement patterns

What do you do with your new clients?