How to Run a Successful First Client Session as a Trainer
Why the First Session Matters
The first session sets the tone for the entire training relationship. It’s where rapport is built, expectations are clarified, and we start gathering objective data that becomes the foundation of your training program.
Think of it like a map: if you don’t know where you are, how can you plan where to go?
What We Assess at IE Health (and Why It’s Critical)
In this case, we’re working with Tyas. Before we ever loaded a barbell, we dove into a full joint mobility assessment. This includes:
-
Ankle Dorsiflexion & Plantar Flexion – We’re aiming for around 70° for functional movement.
-
Eversion & Inversion of the Foot – Key for balance and preventing ankle sprains.
-
Hip & Knee Function – For squat mechanics and walking gait.
-
Shoulder Abduction – Ideally around 180°, used for overhead lifts and posture analysis.
These aren’t just numbers—we use this data to guide exercise selection, cueing strategy, and even injury prevention down the line.
Learning How Your Client Learns
One of the most overlooked skills in training? Understanding learning styles.
Clients will typically fall into one (or more) of these categories:
-
Visual learners (need to see it done)
-
Auditory learners (respond best to verbal cues)
-
Kinesthetic learners (need to feel it themselves)
-
Tactile learners (respond to physical adjustments)
As a coach, you must cue appropriately—which means doing the movements yourself, learning what they feel like, and adapting on the fly based on the person in front of you. For example, in our session with Tyas, I physically guided his foot into position during eversion testing to help him understand the motion.
Balance vs. Flexibility: Understanding the Goal
In many clients (especially those with previous ankle sprains), you’ll find excessive range of motion due to over-stretched peroneals. While flexibility sounds great on paper, too much can mean instability. Our goal? A healthy balance:
-
Stable enough to resist injury
-
Flexible enough to allow for full range of motion
This is especially relevant for athletes—but also applies to everyday movers.
Final Thought: Test, Don’t Guess
Every new client session at IE Health starts with data, not dumbbells. You can’t personalize a program unless you know what’s really going on inside someone’s body. We track and re-test these ranges over time, using them as a north star for adaptation, injury recovery, and progress tracking.
If you’re a trainer—build this into your system. If you’re a potential client—this is what working with an intentional coach should feel like.
👉 Want a program built for your body, not someone else's? Train with IE Health
Find the full Episode here:
https://youtu.be/EGpMVYAsvA0