The DPI Digest: Weekly Performance Education

February 23, 2026•3 min read

Hello there!

So, you've met with the client, you've done the testing and assessments...now what?

The answer: Build the program based on their goals.

Most clients (~80-85%) have a similar goal: Lose weight, reduce body fat, build muscle (they'll probably use the word "Tone" in this instance).

How do you build it?

If you've taken the NASM-CPT course, your next step is the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) Model.

Assuming the client is deconditioned and just started with their training, you'll begin with Phase 1: Stabilization.

Here we're building the foundation for our client's movement, so lightweight (or bodyweight) with higher reps and low sets.

The biggest things I focus on are these:

Foot Position
- Most of them have their feet turned outward in how they sit, stand and walk.
- This promotes more external rotation of the hip, and can lead to hip dysfunction.
- I remind them of it until they get to a point where I seldom say it.
- Have them point their feet straight, and if they need to during Squats, have them slightly outward, no more than 10-15 deg.
Hip Extension
- Since our clients do sitting at their job for most of their day (hip-flexed position), we want to do little to no exercises seated.
- Emphasize them contracting their glutes as much as possible (I.e., if they're doing a Squat, have them do a 1-2 sec pause at the top focusing on glute contraction)
- The cue I like to use is "Drive you belt buckle forward".
- Also, show the client what you're looking for when you cue them; visual cues work great when you combine them with verbal cues.
Posture
- Majority of your clients will have rounded shoulders (Protraction of Scapula and Internal Rotation of Shoulder, to be more specific).
- Focus on having them do the opposite of the above movements: Retraction of Scapula and External Rotation of Shoulder.
- The cue I use for that is "Put your shoulders in your back pocket" or "Pack your shoulders" or "Bring your shoulder back and down".
- Don't forget to give them a visual of what you're looking for.

Seems simple, but I promise you you'll have to drill this in them, a lot.

It will become habitual for them to do these so you won't have to cue them long-term, I promise. Nearly every client I've trained has said they have started walking straighter, their glutes naturally work, and they stand and sit up straighter while at work. And that's the point.

It's all about helping their body have a better balance between the front/back, left/right, top/bottom.

The more balanced it is, the better chance they'll have of getting stronger and reducing their chance of injury.

Here's a basic workout program that you can use for them when they first start out. I'll also make a post about it this week on my social media page (@dpitraining) so you can visually see what it looks like (see what I did there?)

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