uncoordinated client! help!

[gchen23]

I think I have the most uncoordinated client ever! At this point, starting week 2, I have worked lunges and squats into the session... the man cannot do them! I don't know if its his equilibrium, or just that he has the "don't want to-s". These were lunges and squats with light weights... and nothing.....
This is only one of the sessions, I have more planned that doesnt' include lunges and squats, but I cant' have him not do these exercises at all!
what do I do??

[XX400EX]

Hello just keep preaching proper form. He will get it in time. Today im taking on a new training partner. So ill be doing alot of proper form showing. And were starting off with legs.

[Keltron]

If someone can't squat properly with bodyweight, they shouldn't be using weights. The weight of their body is enough.

Go w/bodyweight aka air squats first and try to get his form down. Also make sure he's not wearing running shoes. They're horrible for squatting. Some Vans or Chuck Taylors work best. Look @ his deviations... do his knees move inward? Does he lean forward too much?

Once his air squat looks OK, THEN I'd start adding some stationary lunges aka split squats. Again w/just bodyweight.

[sallythatgirl]

What Keltron said.
Also you could start with wall squats, then free standing.
Lunges, I personally would wait on until he gets the squats down--pushing through the heels, head up, breath...
Then you could advance to stationary lunges with very little depth..and go from there

[BSCSCS]

If someone can't squat properly with bodyweight, they shouldn't be using weights. The weight of their body is enough.

Go w/bodyweight aka air squats first and try to get his form down. Also make sure he's not wearing running shoes. They're horrible for squatting. Some Vans or Chuck Taylors work best. Look @ his deviations... do his knees move inward? Does he lean forward too much?

Once his air squat looks OK, THEN I'd start adding some stationary lunges aka split squats. Again w/just bodyweight.

Sorry dude, but "Vans or Chuck Taylors work best" ???

[gchen23]

Sorry dude, but "Vans or Chuck Taylors work best" ???

thanks for all the advice... all has been so super helpful. next session tomorrow morning, will post how it goes!

[jkdman81]

you can also start with ball or foam roller squats easier than body weight squats

[carl.c]

I don't mean to be the stick in the mud, but how can anyone give advice when you don't even know how old this person is or what physical limits the person has.
is he a 90 year old with a arthritis or is he a 20 year old with one leg?
A little more info is required before any advice can be given.

[gischer]

I have trained a client who not only couldn't do a standard squat but could not even slow down the eccentric of a bodyweight squat over 2 seconds. For these sorts of people start of simpler. Build coordination with stability ball squat or maybe a one legged stepup to ballance. Have them go slowly to focus on control. Then build more strength in a more stable condition I.e. Hack squat or leg press. Once he is stronger and more stable then move to bb square. Also fumbbel square may be simpler. If a client has tight chest or lats, which is pretty common, it can be difficult to hold the ball in position without feeling unstable.

[Keltron]

Sorry dude, but "Vans or Chuck Taylors work best" ???

What exactly is so flabbergasting about chucks and vans while squatting? What would you suggest?

[gchen23]

What exactly is so flabbergasting about chucks and vans while squatting? What would you suggest?

my client is a 24 year old male, 180 lbs wanting definition. he doesnt have any problems of any kind! just whiney!

[gchen23]

my client is a 24 year old male, 180 lbs wanting definition. he doesnt have any problems of any kind! just whiney!

he did better today...
i had given him "homework". to work on his lunges and squats. apparently he did! i was so proud of my little padawan! haha!
we did them with no weights, and worked with him looking in the mirror at himself compared to how i do them. then i would correct him as we went along.

[flexapeal]

If he needs help learning to do squats put him on a smith machine for awhile and watch his from. Have him do leg extensions, hamstring curls and leg presses for quad work. Usually you want to start lunges and squats out with women more anyway. You could always put him on an inclined treadmill too.

[BSCSCS]

What exactly is so flabbergasting about chucks and vans while squatting? What would you suggest?

Nothing is flabbergasting about it, but to say that they are the "best"? They have shoes made specifically for squatting, I think that they would be "best".

[Keltron]

Nothing is flabbergasting about it, but to say that they are the "best"? They have shoes made specifically for squatting, I think that they would be "best".

OK, well aside from something a professional would wear, Vans and Chucks would be 2nd best... running shoes would fall dead last.

[notgumbel]

he did better today...
i had given him "homework". to work on his lunges and squats. apparently he did! i was so proud of my little padawan! haha!
we did them with no weights, and worked with him looking in the mirror at himself compared to how i do them. then i would correct him as we went along.

You've inspired him to work on his training not just when you are together, so I would call that a success for you Great job!

[laz76]

It's sounds like you're in the pretty early stages of training this guy, and he just needs time to practice the exercises and get them down right. I would suggest practicing the squats and lunges, maybe using a progression like a stability ball against a wall or a smith machine like someone said, but if he can do bodyweight or light barbell squats and it's just really challenging, have him work on it anyway, and then use something less stability-focused to push him harder. i.e.:

Warmup
Bodyweight Squats 2 x 15
Barbell Squats 2 x 15
Stationary lunges 2 x 20 (10 each leg)
Leg Press 3-4 x 15, 12, 10, 10
Smith Machine Deadlifts 3 x 10-12

Just a basic leg workout that lets him practice his form and balance with 2 high rep sets early on and then you can make him move heavier weight on the leg press and smith machine. Eventually he'll get better at the basic lifts and you can incorporate them.

Also, he could have some postural issues that keep him from being able to squat, like a pelvic tilt, or really tight calves or hip flexors. Try to look at that and address it before trying to make him squat/lunge with perfect form. He may not be capable of it yet.
He's not hopeless. I've had clients like that. One woman that I still train took the better part of 6 months before she could bodyweight squat on her own. Just no type of coordination or balance whatsoever, but she got there eventually.

[gischer]

how is he in terms of flexibility? have you done any assesments for deviations (i.e. overhead squat assesment), often tightness of the calves, hips, etc. can make it very difficult to control such a large motion with a load.