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Lesson 4.9
Pushback from past coaches and programs
Loom walkthrough coming for this lesson. The written version below is complete.
Module 2 flagged that clients arrive with biases from old diets and past coaches. They show up in training too. Expect them, predict them, and have the "why" ready.
| What you'll hear | What's behind it | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| "I'm cutting, so shouldn't I do light weights and high reps to tone?" | The toning myth | "Cut or build, the training stays the same. The food changes your body. The training keeps the muscle." |
| "My last coach had me doing cardio every day from week one." | More cardio = more results | "We work the cheapest lever first. Steps cost you almost nothing, and the StairMaster comes in when we need it." |
| "I don't want to lift heavy, I'll get bulky." | Usually women, told this for years | "Getting stronger is what builds the shape you want. Nobody accidentally gets bulky." |
| "Can I switch to a new program? I'm bored." | Novelty seeking, often mid-diet | "Let's finish this block. It's how we can see you're keeping your strength. The best time for a new program is on the way out of the diet." |
| "I used to squat 100 kg, I'll start there." | Old training age, current reality | "Let's earn it back fast. We'll start where you can push hard with great form and build from there." |
| "I tried that exercise and it hurt my back." | A real history, and often a psychological one | Listen. Program around it, build the missing piece, and reintroduce it later with education (4.4). |
The pattern is the same every time: acknowledge where it came from, explain the why, and point to what's next. Never make them feel stupid for what a previous coach told them.
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