Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part E: Providing Med-Fit Services (LM:39-44)
Learning Module 42:
Med-Fit Training Sessions
Study the Module and do the Lab.
Learning Objectives
  • Be familiar with the Aerobic Training Log.
  • Be familiar with the Strength Training Log.
  • Know how to conduct a Training Session.
The goal of every Medical-Fitness Technician is to help as many sedentary individuals as possible develop a healthier, more active lifestyle that includes regular (daily) exercise. The best way to accomplish this is to help them establish a Personal Fitness Training Program that empowers them to exercise effectively on their own. This is easier said than done.

Most clients will politely "accept" your Exercise Rx and Follow-Up recommendations, but many of these will not follow-up as planned. Getting your client to use their Free Training Sessions greatly increases the probability that they will engage in a longterm personal Training Program. To improve follow-up rates, you need to make sure all your clients get both an Aerobic Training Log and a Strength Training Log, and that they know how to use them.

Encourage your clients to use their Training Logs and to bring them to their Training Sessions. Reviewing their Logs and asking them questions about their efforts in developing a regular exercise program will help you learn about the struggles real people have and how to help them find real solutions.
Aerobic Training Log:
  • Print the form linked below.
  • This form is for the client to record their daily Aerobic Training Sessions, Sunday through Saturday, for 4 weeks.
  • The date of the starting Sunday should be entered at the top-right of the form.
  • Enter the number of each Week in the left column, 1-4. Another copy of the form would be for Weeks 5-8, etc.
  • There are spaces for recording up to 3 Aerobic Training Sessions per Day.
  • For each Training Session, record the Duration in Time: Min:Sec (Example: 10:00 = Ten Minutes & Zero Seconds)
  • The Duration of the Training Sessions should be fairly consistent session-to-session, day-to-day.
  • Periodic increases in duration (time) should occur at the beginning of the week (Sundays).
  • Also for each Training Session, record the Distance covered during the Training Time.
  • Use the same Unit of Measurement for recording the Distances (yards, meters, or mile fractions).
  • Add the Times and Distances of each daily Training Session to get the Daily Totals.
  • Add the Daily Totals to get the Weekly Totals.
  • Add the Weekly Totals to get the 4-Week (monthly) Totals.
  • An effective Program would show consistency of Training Sessions with gradual increases in Frequency and Duration.
  • Results of the Training Program are reflected in the Distances covered during the Training Time (Duration).
  • Increases in Distance in the same amount of Time show increases in intensity of exercise and improvements of fitness level.
  • For the Progress Summary, compare week-to-week, month-to-month, and start-to-current, or current-to-goal.

The best way to learn how to explain to your clients how to use the Aerobic Training Log form is to use it yourself. You may even want to make a copy of one of your own Log forms to show your clients how you log your Aerobic Training Sessions.
Strength Training Log:
  • Print the form linked below.
  • This form is for the client to record their daily Strength Training Sessions, Sunday through Saturday, for 4 weeks.
  • The date of the starting Sunday should be entered at the top-right of the form.
  • Enter the number of each Week in the left column, 1-4. Another copy of the form would be for Weeks 5-8, etc.
  • There are spaces for recording up to 3 Strength Training Sessions per Day.
  • For each Training Session, record the # of Reps for each exercise: a, b, c, d.
  • The space for Exercise a is for the # of Squat Reps.
  • The space for Exercise b is for the # of Leg-Raise Reps.
  • The space for Exercise c is for the # of Push-Up Reps.
  • The space for Exercise d is for the # of Inverted Row Reps.
  • The # of Reps for each Training Session should be fairly consistent session-to-session, day-to-day.
  • Periodic increases in the # of Reps should occur at the beginning of the week (Sundays).
  • Add the # of Reps for each exercise in the daily Training Sessions to get the Daily Total # of Reps for each exercise.
  • Add the Daily Totals of Reps for each exercise to get the Weekly Totals.
  • Add the Weekly Totals to get the 4-Week (monthly) Totals.
  • An effective Program would show consistency of Training Sessions with gradual increases in Frequency and Reps.
  • Results of the Training Program are reflected in the # of Reps during the Training Sessions.
  • Increases in Rep Counts show increases in intensity of exercise and improvements of fitness level.
  • Improvements in muscle strength and endurance is especially evident if more exercise is done within the same amount of time.
  • To track these gains more precisely, the client can perform their exercises in set amounts of time.
  • Examples: Squats for 2:00 minutes, Leg-Raises for 1:00 minute, Push-Ups & Rows for 0:30 seconds each.
  • For the Progress Summary, compare week-to-week, month-to-month, and start-to-current or current-to-goal.

Again, the best way to learn how to explain to your clients how to use the Strength Training Log form is to use it yourself. You may even want to make a copy of one of your own Log forms to show your clients how you log your Strength Training Sessions.
Training Sessions:
  • Med-Fit Clinics provide Training Sessions during their regular hours.
  • Each client gets 2 Free Training Sessions with their Baseline Med-Fit Assessment, which expire in 4 weeks.
  • Client's get an additional Free Training Session on the same day of their optional Follow-Up Consults ($10/Consult).
  • Med-Fit Clients may purchase 2 additional Training Sessions for $5, which never expire.
  • A Training Session is simply access to the Training Area for 1 hour where one or more Medical-Fitness Technicians are available to answer questions, demonstrate exercises, evaluate client's movements, and suggest modifications.
  • The Medical-Fitness Technician(s) closely observe the group of clients as they work-out on their own.
  • Most Clinics do not enforce the 1-hour time limit, but they do have the option on an individual client basis -- based on the number of clients and the capacity of the workout area.
Training Service Preparation

Your Field Practicum will include at least 1 hour of conducting "open" Training Sessions at a Med-Fit Clinic. It is very helpful to know which clients use the Training Sessions and how long they stay. The form below is used to document this information.
The competencies on which your Med-Fit Instructor will evaluate you are listed below. Study the list thoroughly and imagine providing the Training services in the manner that they are described. This will help you use your Field Practicum time efficiently for developing your skills.
Training Competencies:
  • Keep the Training area secure, clean, orderly, and well ventilated (if indoors).
  • Greet each client upon entering the Training area and document their Name & Time-In.
  • Introduce yourself, get the client's name, and ask - "How can I help you today?"
  • Most repeat clients will be happy to work on their own and let you instruct "as needed."
  • Ask clients who are new to the Training service - "Can I see your Strength Training Log?"
  • Review the client's Log for pattern, duration, frequency, and consistency.
  • Help the client find an area to work-out.
  • Offer to evaluate their exercise movements.
  • Have the client do at least 3 consecutive reps before interrupting with a comment.
  • Suggest a modification to the exercise if the client is struggling.
  • More reps of an easier movement is beneficial both physically and psychologically.
  • Focus on the client's body position and the tempo of their movements.
  • Most clients either move too fast and get sloppy, or they move too slow and get bored or tired quickly.
  • Give one simple pointer for the main "problem" and demonstrate what you mean (do not exagerate their mistake).
  • Have the client perform the movement while you watch and evaluate again.
  • Be encouraging and supportive.
  • Do not make things complicated.
  • Do not be critical or get frustrated.
  • Do not be demanding or push them too much, but motivate the client to do the best they can.
  • Give the client some time to work on the movement and return to re-check their form or answer their questions.
  • Share your attention among the clients as equally as possible, but consider their personal needs for instruction.
  • Always be friendly and positive.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, ask your supervising Medical-Fitness Technician (Med-Fit Instructor) immediately.
  • When the client is done and starts to leave, say - "Good work-out, (Name)." and document the time that they leave.