What is this?
This article covers how training programs are structured in Athli and how scheduling works when you assign them to clients. Programs use a weekly calendar grid that maps workouts to specific days across multiple weeks. Understanding this structure helps you build well-organized programs and set realistic schedules for your clients.
Why is it useful?
- Helps you plan training phases and periodization across weeks
- Makes it easy to visualize rest days, training days, and progressive overload
- Gives you control over when clients start and how they progress through the program
- Ensures clients see workouts delivered in the right order, week by week
Step-by-Step Guide
Program Structure Overview
A program is built on a simple grid:
- Weeks are the rows. A program can have any number of weeks, from a single week to 20 or more.
- Days are the columns. Each week has seven day slots (Monday through Sunday).
- Workout slots are the cells. Each cell can hold one workout or be left empty.
Empty day cells are rest days. You do not need to mark them explicitly. Simply leave the cell without a workout.
[Screenshot: program builder grid showing a 4-week program with workouts on some days and empty rest day cells]
Building Progressive Overload
Progressive overload is the gradual increase in training demand over time. The program builder makes this straightforward:
- Build your first week with the desired workouts.
- Duplicate the week by clicking the copy icon on the week row.
- The duplicated week appears below with identical workouts.
- Open individual workouts in the new week and increase the weight, reps, sets, or intensity.
- Repeat for additional weeks.
This approach lets you create structured progression without rebuilding workouts from scratch each week.
[Screenshot: two consecutive weeks in the program builder, with Week 2 showing slightly higher rep counts than Week 1]
Rest Days
Rest days are simply days without a workout assigned. When a client views their training calendar:
- Days with assigned workouts show the workout details.
- Days without workouts are empty, indicating a rest day.
There is no need to create a "rest day" workout or mark days as rest explicitly.
Saving Individual Workouts from a Program
If you create a workout within the program builder that you want to reuse elsewhere:
- Click on the workout card in the program grid.
- Select Save to Library.
- The workout is saved to your workout library, independent of the program.
- You can now use it in other programs or assign it directly to clients.
Scheduling Programs for Clients
When you assign a program to a client, you choose when it starts:
- Go to the client's Training tab.
- Click Assign Program and select the program.
- Choose the start date. This can be today or any future date.
- Select the week range (full program or specific weeks).
- Click Assign.
The workouts populate the client's calendar starting from the chosen date, following the weekly structure of the program.
[Screenshot: program assignment panel with a future start date selected]
How Clients Experience Programs
Clients see their training week by week on their calendar in the mobile app:
- Each day shows the scheduled workout (if any).
- Clients can tap a workout to see the full details: sections, exercises, sets, and reps.
- They do not see the full program overview or future weeks beyond what is on their calendar.
- Completed workouts are marked as done with logged results.
[Screenshot: client mobile app showing a weekly view with scheduled workouts]
Adjusting Structure After Creation
You can modify the program structure at any time in the builder:
- Add weeks by inserting new rows.
- Remove weeks by deleting rows.
- Move workouts by dragging them between days or weeks.
- Duplicate weeks to extend the program with similar training blocks.
Things to Note
- Programs can be any number of weeks. There is no minimum or maximum.
- Changes to the program template after assignment do not affect workouts already on client calendars.
- Clients see workouts week by week. They do not have a view of the entire multi-week program structure.
- Rest days require no action. An empty cell in the program grid means no workout on that day.
- You can schedule a program to start on a future date so workouts appear on the client's calendar in advance.
FAQs
Can I create a program with only 1 week?
Yes. A single-week program is valid. This is useful for deload weeks or introductory phases.
Can I add a week in the middle of a program?
Yes. Use the insert week feature to add a new week at any position in the program.
Do clients see future weeks of the program?
Clients see workouts on their calendar based on the assigned date range. They do not see a separate multi-week program view.
Can I assign overlapping programs to the same client?
Yes. Workouts from different programs can coexist on the same calendar. They do not conflict with each other.
How do I create a deload week?
Duplicate a training week and reduce the volume or intensity in the duplicated week. Alternatively, insert a new week and build lighter workouts.