What You'll Learn
What activity templates are and why they save you time
How to create a template from the prescription form
How to access and use templates in the Program Builder sidebar
How to drag and drop templates into training programs
How to edit and delete existing templates
Step-by-Step Guide
What Are Activity Templates?
Activity templates are saved activity prescriptions that you can reuse across multiple programs and clients. Instead of re-entering the same activity type, targets, and instructions every time, you create the template once and drag it into any program.
Think of them as building blocks for your training programs. If you regularly prescribe a 30-minute moderate-intensity run, a yoga recovery session, or a warm-up jog, each one becomes a template you can deploy in seconds.
Create a Template from the Prescription Form
The fastest way to create a template is while prescribing an activity:
Open the Program Builder for a client's training program
Click Add Activity Day
Fill in the activity type, targets (duration, intensity, distance, etc.), and instructions
Toggle the Save as Template option (usually a switch or checkbox at the bottom of the form)
Enter a template name that describes the activity clearly (e.g. "30min Easy Run," "Yoga Recovery 20min," "HIIT Cycling 45min")
Save the activity day
The prescription is added to the program and the template is saved to your library at the same time.
Access Templates in the Program Builder
Templates are stored in the Program Builder sidebar under the Activity Templates section:
Open the Program Builder for any training program
Look at the sidebar (the panel on the side of the builder)
Find the Activity Templates section
Your saved templates are listed here with their names. This section is separate from workout templates, so you will not see activity templates mixed in with your workout blocks.
Drag and Drop Templates into Programs
Once you see your templates in the sidebar:
Click and hold a template
Drag it to the desired position in the program timeline
Release to drop it as a new activity day
The activity day is created with all the targets and instructions from the template pre-filled. You can still edit any field after dropping it (adjust the duration, change the intensity, update the instructions) without affecting the original template.
This is the core benefit of templates: you go from a blank activity day to a fully configured prescription in one drag.
Edit an Existing Template
To update a template (for example, to increase the duration or rewrite the instructions):
Open the Program Builder sidebar
Find the template in the Activity Templates section
Click the edit option on the template
Update the activity type, targets, or instructions as needed
Save the changes
Editing a template updates it for future use. Activity days that were already created from this template are not affected. They keep the values they had when they were created.
Delete a Template
If you no longer need a template:
Open the Program Builder sidebar
Find the template in the Activity Templates section
Click the delete option on the template
Confirm the deletion
Deleting a template removes it from your library permanently. Activity days that were already created from this template remain in their programs, unchanged.
Tips
Name templates descriptively. "Run" is not helpful when you have 10 running templates. "30min Zone 2 Easy Run" tells you exactly what it is at a glance.
Create templates for your most common prescriptions first. If you prescribe a warm-up jog before every training day, that should be your first template.
Use templates to standardize your coaching. When all clients get the same "Active Recovery Yoga" template, you ensure consistent quality across your roster.
Review your templates periodically. As your coaching evolves, some templates may become outdated. Delete the ones you no longer use and update the rest.
Keep template instructions generic enough to work for most clients. Avoid client-specific details in templates. Add personalization after dropping the template into a specific program.
Common Mistakes
Creating too many similar templates. If you have "Easy Run 20min," "Easy Run 25min," and "Easy Run 30min" as separate templates, consider keeping one and adjusting the duration after dropping it. Templates should save time, not create clutter.
Using vague template names. "Cardio 1" and "Cardio 2" will confuse you a month from now. Use names that describe the activity type, duration, and intensity.
Expecting template edits to update existing programs. Editing a template only affects future uses. Programs that already have activities created from the old template version keep their original values.
Not using templates at all. If you find yourself entering the same activity details repeatedly across different programs, you are wasting time. Save it as a template.
Troubleshooting
Problem: Template does not appear in the Program Builder sidebar
Why it happens: The template may not have saved correctly. This can happen if you closed the form before the save completed, or if there was a network interruption.
How to fix it: Go back to any program, add a new activity day, fill in the details, and toggle Save as Template again. Make sure you see a confirmation before closing the form.
Problem: Dragging a template into the program does not work
Why it happens: You may be trying to drop it in an invalid position, or the Program Builder may have a loading issue.
How to fix it: Try dropping the template on an empty area of the program timeline. If it still does not work, refresh the page and try again. Make sure the program is in edit mode, not a read-only view.
Problem: Template has old instructions that need updating
Why it happens: You updated your coaching approach but forgot to update the template.
How to fix it: Find the template in the sidebar, click edit, update the instructions, and save. Future uses will have the new instructions. Existing activity days in programs are not affected.
Problem: Deleted a template by mistake
Why it happens: Template deletion is permanent and there is no undo.
How to fix it: You will need to recreate the template. If you have an active program that was built from that template, you can open one of its activity days, copy the settings, and save a new template with the same details.
Related Articles
Activities on Gymkee: Complete Guide for Personal Trainers: Full overview of the Activities feature
Prescribe Activities to Your Clients on Gymkee: How to add prescribed activities with targets and instructions
View Client Activities on Gymkee: How to read the Activities tab and weekly summary