10 Pro Tips for the Workout Builder

The Workout Builder is the heart of Primal Labs. Master it, and you can create workouts that rival any gym app on the market. Here are 10 tips from our most successful trainers.

1. Start with the End in Mind

Before adding a single exercise, ask yourself:

• What is the primary goal of this workout?
• How should clients feel during it?
• How should they feel after?

A focused workout outperforms a random collection of exercises every time.

2. Use Blocks Strategically

Blocks are not just organizational tools. They communicate intent:

• Circuit blocks signal intensity and minimal rest
• Superset blocks pair complementary movements
• AMRAP blocks create urgency and competition
• EMOM blocks provide structure for conditioning

"The block you choose tells clients how to approach the work before they read a single instruction."

3. Master the Move Library

The move library contains thousands of exercises. Use the search effectively:

• Search by body part (chest, back, legs)
• Search by equipment (dumbbell, barbell, bodyweight)
• Search by movement pattern (push, pull, hinge, squat)
• Search by difficulty (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

Combine filters to find exactly what you need quickly.

4. Add Video When Possible

Workouts with video demonstrations see higher completion rates. When adding custom moves:

1. Keep videos under 30 seconds
2. Show the setup and execution clearly
3. Include a slower rep to highlight form
4. Film from angles that show the full movement

5. Write Notes Like You are There

Your coaching notes are your voice. Write them as if you are standing next to the client:

Instead of:

"Keep core tight"

Write:

"Brace your core like someone is about to poke you in the stomach. Maintain this tension throughout the entire set."

Specific, actionable cues create better results.

6. Plan for Progression

Single workouts are good. Progressive workouts are better:

Week 1: 3 sets x 10 reps
Week 2: 3 sets x 12 reps
Week 3: 4 sets x 10 reps
Week 4: 4 sets x 12 reps

Build progression directly into your workout or program notes so clients know how to advance.

7. Include Modifications

Every exercise should have:

• Regression - Easier version for beginners or fatigue
• Progression - Harder version for advanced clients

This single practice makes your workouts accessible to a much wider audience.

8. Time Your Workouts

Before publishing, run through the workout yourself (or have a test client do it). Track:

• Total time including rest
• Transition time between exercises
• Whether the pacing feels right

Clients appreciate accurate time estimates. Delivering a "30-minute workout" that takes 50 minutes erodes trust.

9. Use Templates

Once you develop workout structures you like, save them as templates:

• Upper body push template
• Lower body pull template
• Full body conditioning template
• Recovery day template

Templates accelerate content creation without sacrificing quality.

10. Iterate Based on Feedback

Your first version is never your best version. After clients complete a workout:

• Read their feedback
• Note any confusion points
• Watch for exercises that consistently get skipped
• Adjust and republish

The best workouts evolve over time.

Putting It All Together

Here is a sample workout structure using these principles:

Sample: 30-Minute Full Body Blast

Warm-up Block (5 min)

• World's Greatest Stretch: 5 each side
• Glute Bridges: 10 reps
• Arm Circles: 10 each direction

Strength Block A - Superset (12 min)

• Goblet Squat: 3x12
• Push-up (or regression to incline): 3x10-15
• Rest 60 seconds between rounds

Strength Block B - Superset (12 min)

• Romanian Deadlift: 3x10
• Bent Over Row: 3x10
• Rest 60 seconds between rounds

Finisher Block - AMRAP (4 min)

• 5 Burpees
• 10 Jumping Lunges
• 15 Mountain Climbers

Cool-down Notes Focus on hip flexors, chest, and lats. Hold stretches for 30-60 seconds.

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Ready to build your next great workout? Open the Workout Builder and apply these principles today. Your clients will notice the difference.