How to make your programs truly followable by clients
This article won’t dive into the nuts and bolts of program design. If you want that, check out my Resources Page. Instead, I want to peel back the layers of program design that aren’t talked about as often.
How to make your programs your clients will actually follow
This piece tackles the practical, nuanced stuff—the kind that comes from time in the gym, real-world experience, and a measure of taste and professionalism. It may strike some as obvious, or it might not win me many Instagram followers, but it’s what helps good coaches stand out.
1) It’s not about you
Your programs should be about the client, not your ego. You’re the expert and the client is paying for your guidance, but the plan must reflect their needs and goals.
A well-known idea says: write programs, not just workouts. Another helpful reminder: keep the goal in mind. Anyone can toss together a hard-sounding workout, but a real program is tailored to the individual’s injury history, goals, ability, and preferences, with enough thought and care to make it work over time.
If a client is new, or mainly wants to lose a bit of weight, the program should match that—not force them into the same lift-heavy template you prefer. Two common traps are:
– The trainer isn’t invested, comes in unprepared, and the client ends up with a bland, cliché routine.
– The trainer is overly focused on their own favored method (powerlifting, bodybuilding, CrossFit) and forgets that not every client wants or needs the same path.
The result can look awkward: a young teen doing advanced moves, a busy adult with different priorities, or a high-level professional trying moves that don’t fit their mobility or experience. People stay with a program longer when it’s clearly made for them and their best interests.
This is a service industry. Balance what clients should do with what they actually want to do, and make the fit work for them.
2) Don’t force every square peg into the same hole
No one must back squat, and if they do, they don’t have to use a low-bar stance.
No one must pull from the floor, and if they do, they don’t have to use a straight bar.
No one must bench press, and they don’t have to arch excessively or use a barbell to do it.
Don’t cling to one rigid method. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking there’s one perfect way to perform everything, but good coaching is about adaptation. If someone has limited shoulder mobility, forcing a back squat or a low-bar setup is counterproductive. A better approach might be:
– Use a safer squat variation like a safety squat bar or a front-loaded kettlebell squat to preserve form and progress.
– For deadlifts, most people don’t need to pull from the floor right away. Focus on building hip hinge first, and consider a trap-bar deadlift if mobility or spinal load is a concern. It can feel more natural and place the weight where it’s easier to control.
The goal is to build competency and progress safely, not to prove you can fit everyone into a single template.
3) Other things I planned to cover, but this post is long enough
1) Write things down
Track what clients do in each session and encourage them to take ownership. When people log their workouts, progressive overload becomes visible, motivation grows, and they start lifting heavier than they did a few months earlier.
2) Try semi-private training
Semi-private training can be a powerful motivator. Being around like-minded people who push you, encourage you, and call you out when you skip sessions can boost accountability and results.
3) Know when to back off
Flexibility is essential. If a client shows up exhausted, mentally drained, or having a bad night, the plan may need to shift. Have a plan B ready.
4) Include what they want to do
It helps to balance expertise with client preferences. Sometimes add elements they enjoy—like a little extra glute work for some clients or a quick arm finisher for others. A little enjoyment goes a long way toward consistency.
5) Add measurable targets
Don’t shy away from prescribing specific loads and goals. Many people underestimate their capacity and benefit from clear markers. Here’s a brief example of how a progression might look:
Week 1: Trap-bar deadlift, 3 sets of 5 at 155 lbs
Week 2: Modified sumo stance deadlift, warm-up, then 1 rep at 200, plus 3×4 at 180
Week 3: Modified sumo, warm-up, 1 rep at 205, then 3×2 at 190
Week 4: Modified sumo, warm-up, 1 rep at 215–220, then 3×5 at 160
One client goal could be a 200 lb straight-bar deadlift, achieved a few weeks earlier than expected thanks to clear targets and steady progress. The right cues and feedback matter, too. If a cue doesn’t land, ask questions and adjust—different people respond to different instructions.
End note
Motivate your clients by showing them what they can achieve and by challenging them in thoughtful, individualized ways. The path from “easy” to “new PR” should feel like a real, achievable journey, not an impossible leap.
