Muscle Soreness/Discomfort

stuck185 · 08-25-2008, 08:05 AM

So in my transition from gym rat to trainer I am starting to change my way of thinking. I am starting to realize the differences between getting myself in shape and working with clients with a low level of fitness. My question is how do muscle soreness and the general discomfort that goes along with pushing yourself play into training?

If I have a hard workout I am usually tender the next day. And I am OK with that. But what about working with a client? Have any of you lost clients because of this sort of thing? I am guessing different clients will have different thresholds. But what are YOUR guidelines? Thanks!

meanjoe1 · 08-25-2008, 01:42 PM

Just make sure you tell your clients that DOMS(delayed onset muscle soreness) happens as part of the process, and explain in detail why it happens and that it's a good thing. If you want to ease some of their discomfort a good idea is to stretch them out after their training sessions with you. This will help decreasing some of the soreness.

Keltron · 08-25-2008, 05:54 PM

Some love it, some hate it. But like the previous person said, explain to them in the begining that its a good thing. I heard that about 5, 10 minutes of cardio will reduce the DOMS but I dont know if that's true.

jdmalm123 · 08-25-2008, 08:28 PM

In my experience, most people expect some soreness, but feeling crippled will be a turn off. I've found that people actually EXPECT soreness, even when you explain that soreness =/= results.

One client even left because I wouldn't beat the crap out of her. She traded my strength & core training for the typical high rep "it hurts to move the next day" training. Go figure!

catheitz · 08-26-2008, 05:49 AM

it's a personal thing you feel out. i have a 41 y/o mother who if i don't send her home to feel immense pain in a few days she gets legit pissed off! but other clients just want a push but nothing too too hard. depends on their goals too and just where their fitness levels are falling.