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The rate at which a client progresses through a fitness program will depend on several factors such as age, fitness level, health status, motivation level, and equipment access. There are three stages that personal fitness trainers use to describe a client's fitness progression.

Be a Role Model

A personal fitness trainer will be most effective when he practices what he preaches. In other words,a client is more likely to comply with a personal trainer's fitness advice when it is obvious that the personal fitness trainer follows this advice himself. In achieving and maintaining an appropriate level of fitness, the personal fitness trainer models the lifestyle he advocates to his clients.

Initial Conditioning Stage

The first four to six weeks of an exercise program are the initial conditioning stage.It is best to have clients in this stage exercise at a relatively low intensity to help them avoid the muscle soreness, discomfort,and discouragement that may accompany intense physical exercise. As a client progresses through this stage, the frequency, intensity, and duration of workouts can be increased gradually.