Tag Team Training
The chances are, you'll have used this method of training before personally or with your clients. The question is, could you use it even more effectively to help your clients get better results?
Still unsure of what it is? Quite simply, tag team training is any format of conditioning whereby the timing for individual exercises is dictated by another activity/exercise.
Motivating clients is at the very top of the job spec for a fitness professional but there are various types of motivation, some linked with attitude and some linked with understanding. Actually making the decision to exercise needs motivation, as does going to the gym/park/class as does pushing yourself once there.
Putting the effort in once at the gym or class is where many fall down. Those without trainers to apply the big stick that almost just attend the gym without the application of effort are simply wasting their time.
So how can tag team training make a difference? Well, as you may well have experienced, people often would rather let themselves down than let someone else down. In exercise terms, this means there is a likelihood that people will work harder if the consequence of their actions directly affects someone else.
Ideally, this type of training suits 2 or more people but can be applied to one individual (I'll come onto how later). Therefore those with training partners or in groups can easily benefit from this.
Try the following circuit. The 'timer' is the station that dictates how long the other station runs for:
1. Skipping
2. (timer) 20 reps of each exercise - squats / press ups / jumping lunges / military press
Repeat 5 times with 45 second rest after each cycle
Adaptations:
Squats - use weight if possible or bodyweight to make easier
Press ups - full bodyweight if possible / off knees to make easier
Jumping lunges - stepping lunges to simplify
Military press - if not free weights, try prone shoulder press (press up whilst in the down dog position ((hips as high as possible)))
If looking to use this method of training for yourself. Complete station 2 first and take a note of how long it takes. Then simply skip for the same length of time. This way, you'll be driven by working faster to reduce the skipping duration.
Enjoy
