Your client is facing setbacks in functional training. How can you help them push through plateaus?

1 Assess Goals

When your client hits a plateau in functional training, it's crucial to reassess their goals. Understanding what they aim to achieve can shed light on whether their current regimen aligns with those objectives. Sometimes, goals evolve, and training must adapt accordingly. Encourage them to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, ensuring they have a clear target to strive for, which can reignite their motivation and drive progress.

2 Modify Routines

Variety is the spice of life and the key to overcoming plateaus in functional training. Introducing new exercises or altering existing routines can challenge the body in different ways, promoting continued improvement. Encourage your client to switch up their workouts every few weeks. This could involve changing the number of repetitions, increasing resistance, or incorporating new functional movements that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

3 Increase Intensity

Sometimes, simply ramping up the intensity can help break through a functional training plateau. Advise your client to gradually increase the weight, resistance, or speed of their exercises. It's essential to do this carefully to avoid injury, but pushing the boundaries of their comfort zone can lead to significant gains. Remind them that it's not about making every session harder but strategically planning intense workouts that challenge their current capabilities.

4 Rest and Recovery

It's easy to overlook the importance of rest and recovery in functional training. Ensure your client understands that muscles need time to repair and grow stronger after intense workouts. Suggest incorporating active recovery days with low-impact activities like walking or yoga, which can aid in muscle recuperation while maintaining mobility. Stress the value of quality sleep and nutrition as integral parts of their recovery process.

5 Mental Resilience

Building mental resilience is as important as physical strength when overcoming setbacks in functional training. Encourage your client to maintain a positive mindset and focus on incremental progress rather than getting discouraged by temporary plateaus. Techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and mindfulness can help them stay mentally engaged and committed to their training journey.

6 Seek Support

Lastly, remind your client that seeking support can make a significant difference. Whether it's working with a personal trainer, joining a functional training community, or partnering with a workout buddy, having others to share the journey can provide motivation and accountability. Encourage them to share their struggles and successes with their support network, as this can offer new perspectives and strategies for pushing past plateaus.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?