Oct 22 / John Hardy MSc

Personal Training Imposter Syndrome - Programme Design

When I started out training, and probably through a lot of the years when I was becoming known as an industry expert, whatever the hell that is, I would say that programme design was the one area that got me confused.  My brain likes to think a lot, and in detail, and so I found it hard to get to a point where people could tell me where the research came from, for the programming I was giving out.

Warm-ups, cool-downs, main sessions, exercise order, training techniques all seemed to be magically passed down from generation to generation.  When it became cool to do corrective exercise, speed and agility and the rest of the new decisions that came from testing, this was always ahead of science, and if I listened to science I would be behind now. Science doesn’t even speak, it’s not a person.

Every time someone told me something new, their research was always shrouded in fallacy.  (I have written a section on fallacy in this series of blogs.). It was this frustration with the industry that lead me to buid a business that teaches useful research skills.  

My business and these blogs are aimed at people with limited time, who want to spend most of their time with their clients, but also want to do things right.

I have written this blog to share as much as I can about programming, without being able to teach you one to one, or one to small group in person. Although I attempted to keep this brief.

Program design looks simple: set client goals, make a plan, and get results. But for many trainers, the reality feels different. Imposter syndrome can creep in—doubts about whether the program is effective, whether the choices are right, and whether you're truly helping the client. Trainers often worry that clients might be bored with the same exercises, repeating the same program for everyone, or relying too heavily on what they learned in their Level 3 Personal Training Certification without seeking further evidence and growth.


What is a Fitness Programme if you boil it down to its component parts?

A fitness programme is simply a list of exercises arranged in a specific order with the correct workload, volume, rest, and resistance. It's about selecting the right exercises, setting the appropriate number of repetitions, adjusting the intensity, and ensuring adequate rest to match the client's needs and goals. When designed correctly, these elements create an effective and efficient path towards progress, tailored to each client.

Components of building Fitness Programme:

- Long term client aspirations

- Medical and Physical barriers / adaptations to consider

- Physological (motivation / aspirational) considerations

- A plan to deliver the required work to the client

- A list of the right movements for the work to be effective

- Individual sessions planned in the right order for physical outcomes

- Individual sessions planned in the right order for experiential outcomes

 

Programming is not just about one session—it's about creating a journey that evolves over time. Exercises can and should be adapted, improved, or swapped out as needed. What truly matters is the feeling and experience each client has during their workout.

I aim to craft a compelling story within the programme, ensuring that every client not only makes progress but also enjoys the process. A well-designed program should leave clients feeling accomplished, engaged, and eager for the next session, transforming each workout into a positive experience that they look forward to. 

 

It is difficult to write a programme that delivers a great experience and changes the client's fitness in the way they want without first having a great understanding of your client. Before you do this, though, you will need to make sure you are able to use the information you may find in the interview. That requires research skills. Knowing that the programme you write is scientifically valid is a massive boost to your confidence.  

In the next blog post, I go into detail about how to work in an evidence-based and consistent way.