Hardcore Training Methods Aren’t Just for the Hardcore
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By Sal | August 19, 2009
Kettlebells, sledgehammers, Tabata intervals, Olympic lifts and other training techniques thought to be “hardcore” can be implemented with just about any clients if you are patient and creative. Actually, aside from perception there isn’t anything about kettlebells, sledgehammers or other hardcore methods that should make them the exclusive domain of a tiny segment of clients.
I use Kettlebells in the workouts of all of my clients, from kids to senior citizens, and they all enjoy them, and there’s nobody that you’d consider hardcore in the bunch. All of my clients – men and women - perform swings, dead lifts, a variety of presses and front squats with Kettlebells from 12-pounds on up to 50+ pounds. Allowing all clients to use Kettlebells gives them a sense of accomplishment Sledgehammer swings might be a little more difficult to mix in to all of your clients’ sessions, yet there are still plenty of non-hardcore clients who can benefit from working with the sledge.
Tabata intervals – working at 100% for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds and repeat over 4 minutes – can be used with a wide-range of exercises, from basic calisthenics to riding the stationary bike, and can serve as a challenge for clients of all levels. Most clients –even beginners - can perform Tabatas doing jumping jacks, while intermediates can perform this routine with squat thrusts and leg drives.
Olympic lifts are certainly suitable for all clients, and the teaching progression that is featured in my program prepares beginners to learn how do perform these exercises properly. Young and old, athletic and those who never intend to play sports, and clients who occupy all points in between should learn how to perform Olympic lifts. One of the most important jobs of a personal trainer and strength coach is to teach clients to move through a full range of motion, quickly and with control.
Strength training exercises like the squat, dead lift and military press are more commonly used with a wide variety of clients. However, there is still resistance on the part of many trainers to teach all of their clients how to squat and dead lift. These are exercises that offer powerful benefits to people who can do them properly – regardless of the weight lifted - and these lifts are superior to machine-based variations.
Strength coaches and personal trainers who introduce hardcore training methods in their sessions will have happier, fitter, more interested and involved clients.
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