How do I assign a workout program to a client?

To assign a workout program to a client, open the program from your Programs library and use the assignment controls inside the program editor. Fitsly has two program types — Phased programs and Structured programs — and we recommend phased as the default because edits to a phased workout propagate to every subscribed client automatically, while structured programs copy the workout into each client's calendar at assignment time and don't reflect later edits.

Why phased is the recommended path

Phased programs and structured programs use different underlying models, and the difference matters every time you edit a workout after it's been assigned.

• Phased programs keep one source-of-truth copy of each workout. When you change a set, swap an exercise, or add a section to a phased workout, every client subscribed to that program immediately sees the updated version on their next refresh — there is nothing for you to push out, and no per-client editing required.
• Structured programs snapshot the workout into each client's calendar at the moment you assign the program. After that, the master workout in your library and the copy on each client's calendar are independent. Editing the master does not change what assigned clients see — to update them you would have to edit the workout on each client's calendar individually, or remove and re-assign the program.

If you expect to iterate on a program over time (most coaches do), use phased. Use structured only when you specifically want each client to receive a frozen snapshot of the program as it existed on the day of assignment.

Steps — assign a phased program

1. In the left sidebar under Training, click Programs. The page opens on the Phased programs tab by default.
2. Open the phased program you want to assign, or click New program to start one. The Create phased program modal asks for a name and a duration (number of phases, 1–5, and weeks per phase, 1–16). Fill these in and click Create program.
3. If the program is new, click into a phase, click Import workouts → From workout library (or New workout to build one fresh), select your workouts, and use the Schedule action on each workout to place it on the right day(s) of the phase.
4. In the program editor, click the Subscribed Clients tab in the editor's tab bar (next to Training Phases and Calendar View).
5. Click Add subscribers in the top right.
6. In the Add subscribers modal, click the Select clients dropdown and check each client you want to subscribe (the field updates to "N clients selected").
7. Set the Program start date (defaults to today).
8. Click Subscribe clients.

The Subscribed Clients table now shows each subscriber with their start date, end date, current phase with a progress bar, next phase, and a Go to client link. The client's General → Overview tab also shows the Program Progress card with the current phase and percent complete.

Steps — assign a structured program

1. In the left sidebar under Training, click Programs, then click the Structured programs tab.
2. Open the structured program you want to assign, or click New program, give it a name in the Create new program modal, and click Create program.
3. If the program is new, click the + on each day of the program grid to open the Add workout to day N modal, check a workout, and click Select. The program needs at least one workout before it can be assigned.
4. In the program editor's top right, click the Add clients to program icon (the person-with-plus icon). The Add clients to program modal opens at Step 1 of 2.
5. Search for the client, check the box next to their name, and click Next.
6. On Step 2 of 2, confirm or adjust Starting on (defaults to today), Start Day (defaults to Day 1), and End Day (defaults to the last day of the program).
7. Click Assign Program.

The client's avatar appears in the program editor's top right. The assigned workouts appear on their Calendar tab on the dates determined by the start date and day range.

How to verify the assignment

• For a phased program: open the client's profile and go to General → Overview. The Program Progress card shows the program name, the current phase with end date, and a percent-complete progress ring.
• For a structured program: open the client's profile and go to the Calendar tab. The program's workouts appear on their scheduled dates (Day 1 on the start date, Day 2 the next day, and so on).

Assigning to multiple clients at once

Both modals support multi-client assignment in a single step.

• Phased: in the Add subscribers modal, check multiple clients in the Select clients dropdown before clicking Subscribe clients. Each subscriber gets the same program start date.
• Structured: in the Add clients to program modal, check multiple clients on Step 1 before clicking Next. Step 2 applies the same start date and day range to all of them.

If you need to deviate from the phased program for one client

The same source-of-truth model that makes phased programs propagate edits also lets you make per-client adjustments without affecting other subscribers. From the client's calendar view, override a single scheduled day or workout — the override applies only to that client and leaves the master phased program untouched. This is the right tool for "this client needs to skip leg day this week" or "this one client needs a heavier load on Wednesday".

Things to watch out for

• The assign path starts from the program, not the client. The client profile does not have an "Assign program" or "Subscribe to program" button — you must open the program in the Programs library and use the controls there.
• The Program Progress card on General → Overview only tracks phased programs. If you assign a structured program, this card will continue to say "No phased program assigned" — that is expected. The assigned workouts appear in the Calendar tab instead.
• Phased program workouts need to be scheduled to specific days inside the phase. Imported workouts arrive in a flat list — use the Schedule action on each workout to place it on the right day(s) of the phase. A phase with workouts but no scheduling will not deliver them to the client on a predictable schedule.
• Editing a structured program after assignment doesn't update assigned clients. Each client got a snapshot of the workout at assignment time. To change what they see you have to edit their calendar entry directly, or remove and re-assign the program.
• Phased program subscriptions don't repeat automatically. The "Repeat program when completed" option is not yet active — when a subscriber finishes the last phase, they have nothing scheduled next. If you want progressive overload, add additional phases via Add phase before subscribing, or re-subscribe the client when they finish.
• The phased program's "Add subscribers" modal only lists active and pending clients. Archived clients won't appear — reactivate them first if you need to subscribe them.
• The "0 clients" / "N clients" badge in the top right of the phased editor is informational, not clickable. The actual subscribe controls live in the Subscribed Clients tab.
• The two flows use different vocabulary. Phased programs use "subscribe" and "subscribers" throughout (Subscribed Clients tab, Subscribe clients button). Structured programs use "assign" and "assigned" (Add clients to program, Assign Program button). They mean the same thing — pick whichever program type fits your needs.