Uploaded October 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Small group training is a great way to expand your clientele and income. Offering a small group personal training session allows the trainer to schedule multiple clients for one time slot. It is likely that the trainer will experience a variety of fitness levels within one small group. Therefore, it is essential that the trainer know how to utilize appropriate modifications and amplifications in this setting.
In this video, we have 3 clients with 3 very different fitness levels (novice, intermediate, and advanced). You’ll notice that the intermediate client (far right on the screen) will utilize a fundamental exercise consisting of a reverse lunge and a bicep curl. The fundamental exercise can then be modified or amplified based on the fitness level. The novice exerciser (client in the middle) will utilize the squatting pattern instead of the lunge as it is easier to perform. He, too, will add a bicep curl. Lastly, the advanced exerciser (far left) is able to perform the reverse lunge without difficulty. Therefore, her exercise is amplified by standing on one leg which increases the difficulty of the exercise by requiring the client to balance.
Safety Tip: When performing these exercises, the clients should always maintain a neutral spine and an upright posture. The kinetic chain should be lined up with the knee over the ankle during both squatting or lunging movement patterns.
For more information on this topic, visit The Cooper Institute for our next Small Group Training course. Within this course you will learn how to successfully match clients, communicate effectively with groups, utilize team-building skills and incorporate partner exercises to individualize the workout intensity for each member. Discover creative ways to engage and challenge all clients while providing personalized feedback.
Small group training is a great way to expand your clientele and income. Offering a small group personal training session allows the trainer to schedule multiple clients for one time slot. It is likely that the trainer will experience a variety of fitness levels within one small group. Therefore, it is essential that the trainer know how to utilize appropriate modifications and amplifications in this setting.
In this video, we have 3 clients with 3 very different fitness levels (novice, intermediate, and advanced). You’ll notice that the intermediate client (far right on the screen) will utilize a fundamental exercise consisting of a reverse lunge and a bicep curl. The fundamental exercise can then be modified or amplified based on the fitness level. The novice exerciser (client in the middle) will utilize the squatting pattern instead of the lunge as it is easier to perform. He, too, will add a bicep curl. Lastly, the advanced exerciser (far left) is able to perform the reverse lunge without difficulty. Therefore, her exercise is amplified by standing on one leg which increases the difficulty of the exercise by requiring the client to balance.
Safety Tip: When performing these exercises, the clients should always maintain a neutral spine and an upright posture. The kinetic chain should be lined up with the knee over the ankle during both squatting or lunging movement patterns.
For more information on this topic, visit The Cooper Institute for our next Small Group Training course. Within this course you will learn how to successfully match clients, communicate effectively with groups, utilize team-building skills and incorporate partner exercises to individualize the workout intensity for each member. Discover creative ways to engage and challenge all clients while providing personalized feedback.
