Blending the Table and Floor

Image courtesy of lakeshoresf.com

Something I have been having a lot of fun playing with more recently is taking the information I gather on the table about a client and then bringing that out on the floor to challenge it and actually making significant improvements in their ability to hold positions on the table.

Beginning with Muscle Activation Techniques™ CAMs, I look for their greatest bilateral asymmetry and then test it positionally, as taught in the MAT Jumpstart courses.  If they are unable to hold that position and, depending on a bunch of other variables, if it is appropriate to do so, I have been taking them out on the fitness floor and challenging these positions with what appears to be more traditional forms of exercise as part of their "warm-up".

Image courtesy of gtownpilates.com

Then we head back to the table to retest the position and, if they are able to hold it, move on to the rest of their workout.  Sometimes that's all I will do to try to challenge it for that day while other times I will try to challenge it in multiple ways throughout the remainder of their session.  Sometimes we head back to the table between sets to retest or drop down on a mat to check it right there and then adjustments are made accordingly.

This concept of blending the table and floor was first shown to me by Charlie McMillin during the MAT Jumpstart courses and it was quite the demonstration as he showed how it was possible to apply force in order to challenge tissue with more "traditional" forms of exercise and still get the response on the table that we are looking for when we do the positional tests or AMC&S tests.  Since then, a lot of time has been spent practicing this concept and coming up with new and creative ways to apply force during the PHP study groups ran by Michelle Amore.

The value I see in this is, first, it brings another level of individualization to my clients' workouts.  It isn't remotely feasible to do the same thing with two different people when taking this approach.  Second, if the client is hesitant to spend a lot of time on the table because of their expectations of what they are coming to you for, this can be a very useful skill so as to stay within your ethical guidelines but yet give them what they want.  It can also be a nice transition into getting them to see the benefit of spending a little bit more time on the table now and then.  And, it is a good check to see if what you are doing on the floor is too much for the tissue controlling that position.  Additionally, if you as the trainer enjoy more puzzle-like brain stimulation, this is an excellent way to stay thoroughly entertained and excited throughout your day.

The other thing it helps with is the separation in the client's mind between you performing some type of therapy and you prescribing exercises.  The less they see you as a therapist, the less they may come to you with the expectation that you relieve pain, and instead see you as somebody who makes muscles stronger.

It took me a while to really feel comfortable making that transfer from the information gathered on the table to applying force on the floor, but through continual practice, study, and re-view I now have a better ability to blend the two.  I am by no sense of the word great at it, but I am getting better, and it sure is a heck of a lot fun to practice.

If you are interested in being presented with the tools to start conducting your training sessions in this manner, take RTS™ and take the MAT Jumpstart courses.

What techniques or thought processes do you use to individualize your clients' workouts?

Your body.  Your training.

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