How Coaches Can Evolve Beyond Simple Progress Metrics

It is easy for coaches to get fixated on traditional markers of progress: adding five pounds to the bar, chasing a new one-rep max, or increasing running distance. While these metrics are valuable, they can become limiting if coaches and clients rely on them too heavily. CJ explores how to move beyond simple progression models to serve clients more effectively over the long term.

The Power and Limits of Simple Progression

Many strength and conditioning coaches begin their journey using simple progression models. These programs follow a predictable and linear format: start conservatively, then systematically increase workload over time. They work well for novices because they are safe, easy to follow, and provide frequent psychological wins.

Simple progressions are not perfect, but for most beginners, perfection is not the goal—consistency is. These models help clients build confidence and competence quickly, often resulting in the strongest period of their lives in just a few months. It is why many teach these frameworks in introductory coaching courses.

However, these models come with a hidden pitfall. At some point, the line flattens. The client can no longer add five pounds every session, and both coach and client can find themselves unprepared for what comes next. This is the moment where many clients fall off and coaches struggle to keep them engaged.

Expanding the Definition of Progress

To break out of this novice trap, CJ recommends expanding how we define relevant force and strength. One of the most effective approaches is varying the rep ranges. Instead of always chasing a heavier 5RM, coaches can rotate clients through sets of two, five, and eight. This creates multiple trendlines, offering more ways to identify progress.

If a client has an off day and misses the target for their set of five, they might still see improvement in their eight- or two-rep sets, reinforcing a sense of momentum. Tracking these trends helps clients stay motivated and gives coaches a more comprehensive picture of performance.

Another key tactic is introducing new but meaningful exercise variations. Westside Barbell popularized this method by rotating in unfamiliar max effort lifts, allowing athletes to express strength in fresh ways while continuing to build capacity. A lifter who stalls on a conventional deadlift might benefit from rotating in sumo deadlifts or rack pulls.

However, avoid overusing variation as a way to dodge stagnation. Randomly cycling through exercises without anchoring to core lifts can lead to a “carousel of no progress,” where a client sees no meaningful gains in any movement. Coaches must balance variety with consistency, returning regularly to key lifts to benchmark growth.

Aligning with the Client’s Deeper Why

Coaches need to realize that many clients do not care about the weight on the bar, at least not inherently. For most people, the numbers are a proxy for something else: feeling capable, changing their appearance, eliminating pain, or achieving performance in another domain.

Understanding the client’s deeper “why” is essential. For example, CJ shared the story of an older client who came to training because they could not stand up from a chair without discomfort. Instead of obsessing over load increases, the coach focused on gradually improving movement quality and reducing pain. As strength quietly increased, the client began to squat deeper and eventually lift meaningful loads pain-free, without the fear and anxiety of chasing PRs for their own sake.

By reconnecting training outcomes to what clients really care about, coaches can make every session feel meaningful, even if the bar weight does not go up that day.

Strength as a Supportive Tool, Not the End Goal

Many clients use strength training to support other goals—whether that is military readiness, obstacle course racing, or simply staying active with family. For these clients, strength is valuable insofar as it improves performance in those target areas. Coaches must track not just gym metrics, but also relevant performance indicators: 500m row times, mile pace, pull-up counts, and more.

When clients see direct connections between their lifting progress and real-world outcomes, they are more likely to stay engaged. For example, a stronger deadlift might reduce the perceived effort of running, improve rowing splits, or increase stamina in a Spartan Race. But if we fail to measure those outcomes, we miss the chance to validate the impact of training.

Ultimately, great coaching is not about chasing numbers. It is about helping people become stronger versions of themselves in ways that matter to them. By broadening how we define success, we empower clients to keep progressing long after linear gains have ended.