What do you do if your problem-solving in Functional Training needs a boost from logical reasoning skills?

There is a lot to be said about keeping things simple. What is your clients goal and does your programming actually address the goal in question? You have to make sure your exercises either address the functional task OR help improve strength to the muscles involved. Determining which exercises are appropriate depends on where your client lies on the spectrum of the movement. Logically speaking: do they have the ability to perform a progression most specific to the task yet? Yes - then progress. No - then re-assess the clients weak points and re-evaluate the plan of attack. This can be done every single session through a quick screen of the movement OR a subjective report from the client on where they are challenged the most.

Many times your client will have a difficult time verbalizing where they feel they are getting stuck. This is where you have to look for patterns that are leading to stalemates in their progress or injury hang ups. Is it at a certain weight they have a break down in form or pain occurs? Is it under a spike in acute training load? Is it when they perform a specific sequence of exercises in a super set that leads to excess fatigue? It could be a plethora of issues. This means you have to find some way of monitoring your client. Speak with them and to them about their habits inside and out of the gym. Discuss with them where you feel the issue may be. Then make a plan with them on how these problems can be addressed.

There is a lot to be said about addressing your weaknesses. Something not often pointed out is that you can still work on your strengths while doing so. Many times improving a weakness can also improve areas you are already strong. By pointing this out to clients you can help them feel the issue is of greater importance to them and not just yourself - the trainer. It is also important to note that a challenge should not be impossible. Challenge the body to a point that the task is not easy, but also not causing the body excess strain. The whole point of a challenge is to improve neuromuscular input, not confuse or completely exhaust the body with the input. Consistent effort over time will make for the best improvements.