OPT Model - how fast do clients usually progress from stage to stage?

[WindyKO]

On average with the clients you get, how fast does it take to progress from each stage to the next? just looking for a rough estimate...

Corrective Exercise Training (CET) corrects muscle imbalances, reconditions injuries, preparesbody for training, prevents training overload,enhances adaptation, improves the body?s work capacity and improves stabilization strength. In this phase, we work with fairly low intensities, repetitions can range from 15-25.

Integrated Stabilization Training (IST) improves neuromuscular efficiency, functionalstrength, core strength, dynamic stabilization andfunctional flexibility. Exercises increasing challenge the core and balance and we work with moderate intensities, repetitions can range from 12-20.

Stabilization Equivalent Training (SET) enhances stabilization strength and endurance duringfunctional movement while increasing muscle mass, enhancing metabolism and improving stabilization strength. SET combines a stable exercise with one done in a less stable environment, such as a machine chest press and a pushup or stability ball press, intensities increase and reps range from 8-12 or 15.

Muscular Development Training (MDT) increases muscle mass for athletes such as football players and bodybuilders. We work at higher intensities with minimal rest, and reps range from 6-12.

Maximal Strength Training (MST) improves motor-unit recruitment, motor-unit synchronization and peak force. This is the highest intensity phase, reps range from only 1-5, rest period is 3-5 minutes.

Elastic Equivalent Training (EET) enhances neuromuscular efficiency and power production, especially for athletes who need to express force quickly. Similar to SET, this phase combines a strength and maximum power exercise, ranging from 5 adn 10 reps each to 3 and 8 reps each.

Maximal Power Training (MPT) increases speed strength and creates neuromuscular adaptations through an entire range of motion. Exercises use low weight, about 5-8% of body weight, but are done at very fast speed.

[rnaco]

It depends on the initial condition of the client. Some people can start right away in the SET or MDT phase, some have to start from the beginning--its up to you to assess.

Personally I wouldn't spend more than 6 workouts on a specific phase. That's pretty short but research shows adaptation in as little as 6 workouts.

With that said, don't get hung up too much on the OPT model. Feel free to deviate--in fact linear periodization like the OPT model has been shown to be inferior to conjugate periodization (for example Mon would be stability day, Wed would be strength day, Fri is power/plyometrics day),

[jules_d1]

uh, who says clients want to reach those stages? most just want to lose weight/be healthy.

[rnaco]

uh, who says clients want to reach those stages? most just want to lose weight/be healthy.

also correct. sometimes just getting people to start moving more is enough.

[DaBurg3r]

that looks like a template for taking someone from the fitness level of a sedentary slob to being able to deliver a good athletic performance. It would be awesome if that is how everyone wanted to train, but some people really are content with just being able to perform daily living activities and not be fat.

[dshinton]

That is the old OPT model. Here is the newer one:

• Corrective Exercise Training phase includes correcting muscle imbalances, reconditioning injured anatomical locations, preparing non-contractile tissue for the upcoming imposed demands of training, preventing tissue overload through progressive adaptation, improving work capacity, improving stabilization strength, and establishing proper movement patterns.
  
• Stabilization Endurance Training should be used for the beginning clients who may possess muscle imbalances, lack postural control, and stability.
  
• Strength Endurance Training is a hybrid form of training that promotes increased stabilization endurance, hypertrophy, and strength.
  
• Hypertrophy Training is specific for the adaptation of maximal muscle growth, focusing on high levels of volume with minimal rest periods to force cellular changes that result in an overall increase in muscle.
  
• Maximal Strength Training focuses on increasing the load placed upon the tissues of the body.
  
• Power Training focuses on both high force and velocity to increase power.
  
• Maximal Power Training increases speed strength and creates neuromuscular adaptations through an entire range of motion.

Each phase lasts about 2 to 8 weeks depending on their progress. Most clients start off with Stabilization Endurance Training. How high you go up the model depends on the clients goals.

[neatofrito1618]

uh, who says clients want to reach those stages? most just want to lose weight/be healthy.

Exactly. The clients that want anything passed weight loss/being "toned" are few and far between.

[TLotou]

now i understand the opt model is a great model to use if u are a private PT. now if u were to be working under a coporate gym, do most allow for you to utilize that template or do the gyms themselves apply their own for you to instruct/sell to the customers?

[rexxicus]

Not everyone that sees a trainer wants to be a bodybuilder or powerlifter

Most do it for weight loss, and others do it for overall health and wellbeing

[rude boy]

Exactly. The clients that want anything passed weight loss/being "toned" are few and far between.

yup. 98% of people who hire a PT just want to look good

[DwithBeneFITPT]

On average with the clients you get, how fast does it take to progress from each stage to the next? just looking for a rough estimate...

Corrective Exercise Training (CET) corrects muscle imbalances, reconditions injuries, preparesbody for training, prevents training overload,enhances adaptation, improves the body?s work capacity and improves stabilization strength. In this phase, we work with fairly low intensities, repetitions can range from 15-25.

Integrated Stabilization Training (IST) improves neuromuscular efficiency, functionalstrength, core strength, dynamic stabilization andfunctional flexibility. Exercises increasing challenge the core and balance and we work with moderate intensities, repetitions can range from 12-20.

Stabilization Equivalent Training (SET) enhances stabilization strength and endurance duringfunctional movement while increasing muscle mass, enhancing metabolism and improving stabilization strength. SET combines a stable exercise with one done in a less stable environment, such as a machine chest press and a pushup or stability ball press, intensities increase and reps range from 8-12 or 15.

Muscular Development Training (MDT) increases muscle mass for athletes such as football players and bodybuilders. We work at higher intensities with minimal rest, and reps range from 6-12.

Maximal Strength Training (MST) improves motor-unit recruitment, motor-unit synchronization and peak force. This is the highest intensity phase, reps range from only 1-5, rest period is 3-5 minutes.

Elastic Equivalent Training (EET) enhances neuromuscular efficiency and power production, especially for athletes who need to express force quickly. Similar to SET, this phase combines a strength and maximum power exercise, ranging from 5 adn 10 reps each to 3 and 8 reps each.

Maximal Power Training (MPT) increases speed strength and creates neuromuscular adaptations through an entire range of motion. Exercises use low weight, about 5-8% of body weight, but are done at very fast speed.

I use two of the seven unless my clients have professional goals or are in need of corrective programs.

I typically target their imbalances, create a stability program based on the individule needs then progress to strength based on their advancement.

Hypertrophy and max strenth phases are unnessisary unless this appeals to the individual for specific reasons.

Not to mention most of your clients evident imbalances can be corrected in a resistance stability phase.

If you keep them happy long enough to move to another phase revisit stability after strenght and create an advanced stability phase.

[DwithBeneFITPT]

PS
I have seen progress in the first 3-4 weeks ON AVERAGE.
Now, this will not be the case for everyone.

[WindyKO]

I use two of the seven unless my clients have professional goals or are in need of corrective programs.

I typically target their imbalances, create a stability program based on the individule needs then progress to strength based on their advancement.

Hypertrophy and max strenth phases are unnessisary unless this appeals to the individual for specific reasons.

Not to mention most of your clients evident imbalances can be corrected in a resistance stability phase.

If you keep them happy long enough to move to another phase revisit stability after strenght and create an advanced stability phase.

these are my thoughts as well...is it safe to assume that for probably 95% of my clients, they would be best suited to do a circuit training program that focuses on stability+core development (bosu/medicine/stability balls) and light weights?

when (if ever) do you progress your clients to compound exercises like the squat, bench press, clean, overhead press, barbell row, pullups, etc...?

[DwithBeneFITPT]

these are my thoughts as well...is it safe to assume that for probably 95% of my clients, they would be best suited to do a circuit training program that focuses on stability+core development (bosu/medicine/stability balls) and light weights?

when (if ever) do you progress your clients to compound exercises like the squat, bench press, clean, overhead press, barbell row, pullups, etc...?

Good thinking,
exactally, proper assess their imbalances first before doing any movements, Look into FITNESS COACH PRO it is a good reference sometimes and you get a year free with a NASM cert.

You could progress in strength, moving a client to strenth means you have properly evaluated their movements and have decided they could progress. I personally am an IN HOME trainer therefore i dont have things as avaliable as i'd like. I use body bar for squats (NO SPINAL LOADING) usually with the bar resting on front delts. Bench press is fine in strength, stick to DB. Try 30/30's instead of overhead press or just stright flexion, I do DB bentover rows with most as well

Use your judgement. Men, Women, Sports performance, weightloss, general fitness, corrective clients will all have different programs for their needs.

[DwithBeneFITPT]

on more thing!
Incorperate body weight squats, one legged squats, squat to row (w/cable), etc in a stability program, you will want to get their squat form perfect before advancing to weighted anything....then..there is always kettlebell pick-up's (squat form)

Teaching squat form is always a challenge with clients new to PT

[Akaisoras]

1. How long is each training session with nasm, 1 hour or 30 minutes? If it is 1 hour, how do you guys usually break it down to 30 minutes?

2. How much time do you stick to one phase before you move on to the next phase?

3. Are there clients that just want to stay in one phase forever for all 12 weeks? What do you do with those people

4. what happens after 12 weeks of the program?

5. how many sessions a week per client?

[Billy_Gunn]

The even newer NASM edition has just 5 phases:
1 stabilization
3 "strength"
1 power

[hyacinth30]

now i understand the opt model is a great model to use if u are a private PT. now if u were to be working under a coporate gym, do most allow for you to utilize that template or do the gyms themselves apply their own for you to instruct/sell to the customers?

Periodization can be helpful in avoiding plateaus & planning for a specific sport performance. My work uses this in designing programs for potential clients as a means of selling more sessions as the periodization is for 1 year.

these are my thoughts as well...is it safe to assume that for probably 95% of my clients, they would be best suited to do a circuit training program that focuses on stability+core development (bosu/medicine/stability balls) and light weights?

when (if ever) do you progress your clients to compound exercises like the squat, bench press, clean, overhead press, barbell row, pullups, etc...?

I think most clients can do those exercises with exception of the clean which requires a bit more technique to get straight. I have clients in varying age ranges and fitness levels doing those movements with varying amounts of weight. Sometimes because of injuries we have to avoid certain movements but otherwise I dont see why you cant introduce this into your program!