Let’s start with what isn’t essential. Fancy gear, obsessive nutrient timing, posting every workout on social media, blindly copy-pasting elite lifters’ programs, and the idea that “muscle confusion” is a real thing aren’t the ingredients of a solid plan.
And yes, there are things that matter—though maybe not as much as some people claim. These include: how you choose exercises, the order you perform them, your technique, and your goals (powerlifting, bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, CrossFit, fat loss, etc.). Also important are your training history and age, any past or current injuries, how many sets and reps you actually need, when you train, how long your sessions run, and which exercises genuinely help you build the physique you want. The point isn’t to chase a flashy list of “best” moves, but to design something that works.
But there’s one metric that’s often overlooked: attendance. A brilliantly designed program won’t matter if people don’t show up. Getting people to come back is a skill in itself. Even with a paid trainer, attendance can be unpredictable, so you must address what keeps people coming back.
There are many factors beyond the program that influence attendance and success:
– Listening to and validating clients. If you’re more focused on sounding smart than on understanding them, you’ll lose clients.
– It’s about them, not you. Encourage clients to talk about themselves.
– Build community. Introduce clients to one another; shared interests (like squatting buddies or a favorite movie) can boost motivation.
– Design for reality. It’s not about the flashiest exercise; it’s about the most suitable ones that promote immediate and long-term success. These choices are often boring but effective.
– Speak with the client in mind. Keep communications clear and patient.
– Design for your space. You don’t need every gadget; sometimes less is more. Fit the program to the equipment you have.
– Help clients become autonomous. They should be able to manage their progress with guidance, not hand-holding.
– A touch of humor can help, but stay focused on real results.
– This isn’t a complete recipe, but it helps coaches see that success isn’t just about credentials or the latest fad.
In the end, getting people to show up is often more crucial than fancy programming. Barbells work just fine when used thoughtfully.
And remember this: you’re not necessarily an elite lifter just because you chase status online. Focus on what those lifters did years ago to reach the top, and keep your basics strong. As Mark Fisher has noted, ruthless excellence at the basics is where most people should live.
If someone says, “I want to get toned,” know that it’s a common but vague goal. “Toned” usually means lowering body fat to reveal muscle. That doesn’t require an endless list of high-rep, low-load movements. Acknowledge the goal, nod, and move on. More importantly, your program should address the client’s actual goals, not yours.
