How Complex Does My Program Design Need to Be? Anatomy of a Fitness Pro Pt. 6

Have you ever caught yourself playing the comparison game with the program designs of other coaches?

Scrolling through their social media and blogs, impressed by the creative exercises and advanced protocols, while also somewhat overwhelmed by what seems like an unattainable level of knowledge and programming skills…

We get it! As coaches ourselves, we’ve been there—

Looking to others for inspiration and feeling like they must have some magic, secret sauce that you just want to bottle up.

But here’s a reality check. Just because it LOOKS like someone knows what they’re doing, doesn’t mean they do.

Falling into the trap of thinking complex program design is better is faulty for two reasons:

The simple, principle-based stuff is actually what works in the long-run for the most amount of people.
Overly complex program design may be a sign that someone is overcompensating for a lack of confidence in their ability to get results—and that sexy program isn’t actually headed anywhere.

So how do you get over the complexity trap and start designing really effective programs with confidence?

In the Coaching Certificate Program (CCP), we teach and mentor you to do this with a 4-step process:

Read some foundational exercise physiology, anatomy, and science of motor learning—simplified into what you actually need to know to be a better coach.
Learn principles and frameworks of assessment, program design for resistance & energy systems training, and planning & periodization—think of these as the science in action.
Ask questions and practice program design with your CCP mentorship group to bring your knowledge to life.
Implement yourself with case studies, so you get real life experience coaching and programming, then receive helpful feedback so you can continue to refine your skills.

The goal of education shouldn’t be to make your programs more complex. It should be to make them more effective at getting your clients results, while building your confidence and efficiency.

We won’t discount the value of complexity entirely. There’s a time and a place to use more advanced protocols (and we show you how, for the right person).

But overall, what we want you to graduate with is a solidified respect for the basics of exercise, lifestyle, and nutrition program design.

If you’re ready to build your confidence and write better training programs for all kinds of clients, then now is the time to get started on developing your skills with a professional fitness education.

Apply to the Coaching Certificate Program now to secure your spot and receive immediate bonus access to the full curriculum.