Beyond Guesswork: Why Client Screening, Assessment Interviews, and Goal Setting Matter
At Efficient Effort, we don’t throw you into a workout on day one—and we never guess. Whether you’re training for performance, rebuilding from injury, or starting fresh, your coaching journey begins with three things:
👉 Client screening
👉 A comprehensive assessment interview
👉 Clear, realistic goal setting
Because before we write a single exercise, we need to know exactly who you are, how you move, and what you want to achieve.
What Is Client Screening?
Client screening is our intake process. It provides a clear overview of:
Injury history and current limitations
Past training experience and movement background
Stress, sleep, and recovery habits
Chronic conditions, surgeries, or pain
Current capacity and general health status
We use this as a risk-management tool, but also as a launch pad for effective programming.
The Role of the Assessment Interview
After your screening, we sit down for a structured assessment interview.
This isn’t a casual chat. It’s a purposeful conversation where we:
Clarify your health and training history
Discuss your movement behaviours and beliefs
Understand your barriers (physical or psychological)
Identify what success looks like for you
Address fears, motivations, and expectations
This is where coaching becomes personal—not just physical.
The Power of the Questionnaire
Before we even meet, you’ll complete a tailored questionnaire. This is designed to:
Collect detailed background information efficiently
Highlight red flags (injury risks, pain, etc.)
Show us where you’re starting—physically and mentally
Inform the direction of your program, pace, and support needs
We’ve crafted our client questionnaire to be comprehensive yet time-efficient—giving us the insights we need without overwhelming you.
Why Goal Setting Is Essential
Goal setting isn’t just motivational—it’s strategic. It keeps both coach and client aligned on the outcome we’re working toward.
During your assessment interview, we guide you through a clear goal-setting process:
Short-term vs long-term goals
Outcome goals (e.g. “deadlift 150kg”) vs behaviour goals (e.g. “train 3x/week consistently”)
Health, performance, or rehab-specific goals
Measurable markers and realistic timelines
This ensures we’re not just “training”—we’re progressing with purpose.
Efficient Effort Goal Setting = Clear Intent + Realistic Planning
✅ We set goals based on where you're at—not where you wish you were
✅ We track progress regularly using strength, mobility, and movement benchmarks
✅ We adjust goals when life changes (because it always does)
✅ We help you understand the why behind every step
Movement Assessment Completes the Picture
After your interview and questionnaire, we take you through a physical movement screen:
Joint range of motion
Postural alignment and joint stacking
Functional strength and stability
Compensatory patterns or asymmetries
Basic movement literacy and body awareness
This gives us a baseline we can build from—and return to for progress tracking.
What This Means for You
Most programs start with exercises.
Ours starts with you.
A proper client screening, assessment interview, goal-setting session, and movement assessment allows us to:
✔ Understand your structure, limits, and capacity
✔ Build the right progressions
✔ Avoid unnecessary pain or risk
✔ Make your results sustainable
✔ Keep you accountable and supported
Who Should Be Screened?
Everyone. Whether you’re:
Starting your first gym program
Training around pain or injury
Prepping for a competition
Managing stress or returning to training post-baby or post-surgery
Just want to train smarter
You deserve a process that begins with clarity, not assumptions.
Our Client Onboarding at Efficient Effort
Online Client Questionnaire
Sent before our first session. Takes 5–10 mins.1:1 Assessment Interview
20–30 minutes to dive into your background, habits, barriers, and goals.Movement Screening
We assess how you move and load—so we can coach you better.Custom Programming + Support
A tailored plan based on your body and your goals—with progress tracked regularly.
Ready to Train With Purpose?
📍 Visit us in Banksmeadow, NSW
🌎 Online assessment and coaching available anywhere
📩 info@efficienteffort.com