Program Design Intensive

Bringing decades of expertise to you.

A METHOD GUARANTEED TO DELIVER CLIENT RESULTS

Take the guesswork out of assessment and programming and start designing smarter workouts with a foundation of proven program design principles and their application. Learn how to write progressive training programs that get predictable results, instead of just making clients tired and sweaty.

One of the biggest mistakes we see coaches make is lacking confidence in their program design abilities. All too often, coaches doubt themselves, play the comparison game, and waste time overanalyzing their programs.

But writing great workouts isn’t about knowing everything. You just need a solid base of programming principles to guide you. 

We created the 2-Day Live Program Design Intensive course to provide you with just that — over the last 24 years, the OPEX principles that have helped thousands of coaches design smarter programs. The proven plug-and-play programming frameworks you'll walk away with will keep you on track, while giving you creative freedom to keep your clients engaged.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

✓ An overview of Energy Systems Training

✓How to assess the aerobic and anaerobic systems

✓ A progression framework for the aerobic and anaerobic systems

✓ How to identify your client’s capabilities

✓An understanding of what “success” looks like for each of your clients

✓ How it “feels” to bias the aerobic vs anaerobic system

✓ How to design principle-based and personalized programs

THE CURRICULUM

  • Introduction

  • The OPEX Methodology

  • Energy System Training Overview
     BREAK 

  • The Aerobic System

  • Aerobic Progression

  • Assessing the Aerobic System
     LUNCH 

  • Implementing the Aerobic System

  • Aerobic Session

  • Session Recap

  • Avatars

  • Opening

  • The Anaerobic System
     BREAK 

  • Anaerobic Progession

  • Assessing the Anaerobic System
     LUNCH 

  • Implementing the Anaerobic System

  • Anaerobic Session

  • Session Recap

  • Avatars

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

CARL HARDWICK | OPEX CEO & Lead Instructor

A three-time All-Conference football player at Saint Mary’s University, Carl has long been fascinated by sport, performance and coaching.

After earning his B.S. in Exercise Physiology, Carl furthered his education with world-renowned strength coach Charles Poliquin and completed the PICP and his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification. 

A U.S. Army Veteran, it was while running the Army fitness program for his battalion that Carl was introduced to OPEX Founder James FitzGerald. Sold by the OPEX individual program design approach, Carl went on to complete CCP and then to open multiple OPEX-licensed gyms before accepting a position as OPEX CEO.

EARN CEUS & LEARN A BETTER WAY TO PROGRAM

What Coaches Are Saying.

  • firas

    Firass El Fateh

    Program Design Workshops provide many crucial tools to become a more effective coach, specifically in program design.

  • Whitney Reese

    OPEX Program Design Wortkshops are one of the most interactive, individualized, and "develop the coach" based live experiences I've ever attended.

  • Kyle Livak

    I was mind blown at how in-depth they go on each topic and how important every little aspect of program design is in order to reach maximum physical potential.

  • Ian

    Ian Kaplan

    OPEX Program Design Workshops are an incredibly rewarding educational experience. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to participate in a conversation that is moving fitness coaching forward.

Upcoming events.

No upcoming events at this time.

FAQs

  • This course is ideal for coaches of all levels who want to develop the craft of principle-driven program design. You will leave this 2-day course with tools and confidence necessary to design fitness programs for any client or group program. You will also get exclusive and free access to CoachRx, the coaching software you need to manage your coaching business.

  • Whether you’ve just started coaching or have 5+ years of experience, we know you’ll walk away with a new perspective and system for improving your program designs. In fact, it’s common for coaches with 5-10 years of experience to enroll in our online program design education.

  • CCP coaches are encouraged to join! While you may be familiar with some of the principles taught throughout the weekend, we’re confident you’ll walk away with a refined understanding of their implementation.

  • An important thing to know about OPEX principles is that they transcend paradigms. Whether you work with people who want to gain some muscle, lose some body fat, increase their back squat, or even improve skills and mixed modal capacity, you will walk away with the tools to do this. How you implement these principles—with online clients, personal training clients, or in a progressive CrossFit group program—is totally up to you!

  • We recommend bringing a laptop to take notes and for live time program design practice in CoachRx. Wear comfortable gym clothes as you’ll be involved in practical movement and work capacity assessments throughout the weekend. Plus, don’t forget your water bottle and snacks (you’ll be able to go off site for lunch if you prefer).

  • Yes. The Program Design Intensive is approved for 14 CEUs by NASM, and 1.2 CEUs by NSCA. You'll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the weekend.

  • Yes. You'll be emailed a certificate of completion at the end of the weekend.