Exercise Technique & Training Instruction
This chapter covers proper exercise technique, coaching cues, and safe instruction. Correct technique maximizes benefit and reduces injury risk.
Coaching Fundamentals
Good instruction includes clear demonstration, concise cues, and monitoring for compensations. During a squat, for instance, cueing the knees to track over the toes and maintaining a neutral spine helps protect the joints and reinforce quality movement.
Breathing and Movement Mechanics
A common breathing guideline is to exhale during the exertion (concentric) phase and inhale during the lowering (eccentric) phase, avoiding breath holding. Exercises can be categorized as closed-chain (feet fixed, such as squats) or open-chain (free distal segment, such as leg extensions).
Exercise Selection
Compound, multi-joint movements such as the deadlift recruit many muscles at once, while isolation movements such as the biceps curl target a single joint. Selecting and sequencing exercises appropriately supports the client's goals and the training phase.