After you’ve been training clients for a while, some of them inevitably grow bored and might request that you give them something new, different, and “exciting.” Rather than coming up with an entirely new program every time, a simple way to put a fresh spin on their workouts is to include combination exercises. Combination exercises are--surprise--a combination of two or more different exercises within a single rep.

Combo exercises are different from circuits and complexes where your clients complete all the reps in one exercise before moving on to the next exercise. Observe:

As the video above demonstrates, you instruct your client to do one rep of the first exercise, one rep of the second, and continue alternating back and forth between the two movements until your set is finished. The idea of combination exercises gives clients a little bit of what they want, but you can incorporate things they need as well.

Why combination exercises? You can easily do combination exercises in a busy gym and don’t require the skill of complexes (which is great for less experienced clients). Plus, they're perfect for busy clients who are always short on time. But like circuit training and complexes, your clients will love the fact that combination exercises help them burn fat and improve conditioning.

Checklist: 5 considerations when programming combination exercises

1. Choose the right combinations

Look for movement combinations that allow for a fluid transition from one to the next. Avoid combining movements that have very different loading needs. For example, trying to combine a deadlift with a reverse curl is a waste your time. Instead, find movements that can apply a challenging weight for both movements.

2. Pick the right resistance

When choosing resistance, select client’s weakest movement. For example, if your client can overhead press 100 pounds and front squat 150, use 100 pounds as the starting weight for a front squat to press combination exercise.

3. Set appropriate rep ranges

Keep rep ranges low, around 6-12 reps, when first starting these with clients.

4. Choose the right tool for the job

Dumbbells and resistance bands are extremely versatile because you can go bilateral, unilateral, or ipsilateral if you please. If your clients have strength imbalances, balance issues or need extra core work, these are right tools for the job.

Others like the kettlebell and barbell have a higher learning curve. If your client hasn’t mastered the hip hinge pattern, for example, he or she shouldn’t be anywhere near a kettlebell. Likewise, save some of the barbell combo movements for your more advanced clients.

5. Pick the right time to have your client do the exercise

Ideally, you should program these movements after your client’s warm-up or core exercises when your clients are fresh.

KETTLEBELL COMBO MOVEMENTS

Clean to press

 

Split squat to overhead press

 

 

Single-leg deadlift with row

 

 

Push-up to Renegade row

 

RESISTANCE BAND COMBO MOVEMENTS

Unilateral squat to press

 

 

Squat to row

 

 

 

Forward lunge to press

 

 

Reverse lunge to row

 

 

Row to triceps extension

 

 

Pull/twist/push

 

DUMBBELL COMBO MOVEMENTS

Squat to press

 

 

 

Snatch

 

 

Reverse lunge to press

 

 

Romanian deadlift with bent-over row

 

 

Walking Renegade row

 

BARBELL COMBO MOVEMENTS

Front squat to press

 

 

Front squat to L-sit chin-up

 

 

Deadlift with push-up

 

 

High pull

 

 

Lunge to press