What do you do if your Functional Training clients struggle to understand your instructions?

First, I want to understand them which should come at the beginning. As communication is integral to their results, I would be constantly asking them questions to better understand their profile. If they are struggling with anything, I would know or ask otherwise. If I am going to explain anything to them, its going to be simple and visual. There will be no need for nomenclatures and other fancy wording to impress them.

Clients do best when provided with multiple modes of instruction. Video, audio, imagery & written language all combine to fulfill the needs of the vast majority of client learning styles. Language use should be simple, direct & precise. Always assume the client does not understand technical anatomical terms, scientific terms, or mathematical terms. It's always best to simplify instructions to serve as an effective & functional coach for clients of a variety of backgrounds & education levels.

Break down instructios by simplfying complex movements into smaller, more manageable steps. Break down each step and demonstrate them clearly.

Make sure you use simple and clear language that describes the purpose, benefits, and steps of each exercise. For example, instead of saying "perform a TRX inverted row with a neutral grip", you could say "pull yourself up to the straps with your palms facing each other, to work your back and arms". You can also use analogies, or visual cues to help your clients relate the exercises to everyday activities. Then give positive and specific feedback on what they are doing well, and constructive and actionable feedback on what they can do better. You can also use visual, auditory, or tactile feedback to reinforce your feedback. It can be a rewarding and fun experience, if you communicate well and help them understand your instructions.

Il existe autant d'exercices, que de variations d'exercices. Si la difficulté de compréhension provient de la difficulté de l'exercice ou des consignes, il suffit de décomposer le mouvement ou de réaliser une variante plus simple (=adaptée). Il est également possible de travailler sur des éducatifs. Autrement la communication est la clef ici aussi. Il est intéressant de comprendre ce que le client per?oit, comment il s'exprime, etc pour s'adapter à sa personnalité.

Incorparate visual aids such as diagrams, videos, or even physically guiding them through the movements. Visual cues can often clarify instructions and help clients understand better.

Encourage questions and create an open supportive environment with plenty of dialogue. Assure that they seek clarification whenever unsure. Explain that it is okay to be wrong but be sure to ask when feeling unsure.

Relate exercise movements to everyday activities or experiences that the client is familiar with. Analogies can make abstract concepts more relateble.

Everyone has different learning styles. Offer several perspectives to any question or lake of understanding in giving several analogies to training modalities.

It might be helpful to pinpoint exactly what the client is struggling to understand. Is there a gap in basic anatomy knowledge that makes it difficult for the client to grasp the terminology used? Or is the issue more about translating instructions into movements due to a lack of physical awareness? Understanding these nuances can guide us in adjusting our teaching methods to better suit the client's needs.