For Coaches: Suggested Swaps

Empower athletes to make smart adjustments without leaving the app.

As a coach, you can’t always be there when an athlete finds the squat rack is full or their knee is feeling "tweaky." Suggested Swaps allow you to pre-approve alternative exercises so your athletes can keep training without needing to message you for a pivot.

This article will walk you through how to add Suggested Swaps to your exercises.

• Adding Swaps via your Library
• When creating Custom Exercises in the Session Builder
• Why use Suggested Swaps
• Educate your Athletes

Method 1: Adding Swaps via your Library

Best for: Permanent alternatives for your most programmed movements.

1. Navigate to the Library icon on the left-hand sidebar.

2. Select Exercises and find the specific movement you want to edit.

3. Go to the Suggested Swaps section at the top of the exercise details.

4. Click Search Exercise Swaps.

5. Search for and select the exercises you’d like to offer as alternatives (e.g., adding "Goblet Squat" as a swap for "Barbell Back Squat").

6. Click Save Changes to save.

Method 2: When creating Custom Exercises in the Session Builder

Best For: Creating one-off movements or specific variations during the programming process.

If you are building a session and realize you need a brand-new movement with built-in alternatives:

1. Open the training calendar for an athlete or team.

2. Click Create Session

3. Click Add Block and click New Exercise.

4. Enter your custom exercise name and details (Parameters, Video URL, etc.).

5. Locate the Suggested Swaps field within the creation window.

6. Search for and add your preferred alternatives.

7. Click Save Exercise.

Pro Tips: Swaps will automatically appear for athletes every time this exercise is programmed. At this time, you can not add suggested swaps in the mobile app.  You can add suggested swaps to the TrainHeroic exercise library!

You can easily view all of your configured swaps right from your exercise library. Just look for the Suggested Swaps column to see your custom setup in action.

Why use Suggested Swaps?

• Equipment Issues: If a machine is broken or a rack is busy, the athlete can stay in flow.

• Injury Management: Provide "regressions" (easier versions) for athletes dealing with minor pain.

• Autonomy: Empowers athletes to make smart choices based on their environment.

Next Step: Educate your Athletes

Once you have your swaps set up, take a moment to educate your athletes about swaps, when and why they should use them. Remind them that these are your "coach-approved" alternatives for when equipment is unavailable or they need to adjust for a nagging pain. This ensures they stay on track with your programming goals even when they have to make a change on the fly.

Related Resources:

• As an athlete, how can I add or swap exercises?
• Programming Shortcuts: Copy, Paste, Delete and Repeat Sessions
• Saving Single Training Sessions