What to Look For In a Coach
You’re ready to start your fitness journey, but you have no idea what the difference is between a deadlift and a squat and want to hire a personal trainer. Where do you start? Should you DM that fitness influencer with the 6-pack and 60k followers, or check out the local gym where the instructors yell at you like drill sergeants in boot camp?
The options are endless and paralyzing when trying to choose the perfect coach to hop on the Gains Train. Rather than settling on someone with perceived popularity and being sold on a one-size-fits-all approach, here are 5 things to consider when hiring a coach.
Are they human? This might sound like a silly thing to say, but is this prospective coach a person with emotional intelligence? I’m not just talking about how AI is automating and taking over some of our jobs like in every movie about the future. Does this coach understand that you have life outside the gym and real stressors that can impact even the best training program? Do they get that your goal has nothing to do with stepping on stage with a fake tan and visible veins at a bodybuilding competition (even if that’s the coach’s hobby)? Your coach should listen to your goals and align the personal training program toward those goals.
Do they create a program? Does the trainer come up with different workouts every single time you meet, or do they have a gameplan for you? Your body is your temple, and a personal trainer is the architect to build it. A fitness program is like a blueprint to reach your goals; whether brick by brick or rep by rep, you have to do the same thing over and over again to attain the body you want to live in. A great coach will have a program and know what you’re working on together each day, and they will accommodate for things that happen in life like a snowboard injury. This program could look like a neat grid created in Excel or handwritten on a good old fashioned clipboard. Don’t trust a coach that has all 10 of their in-person clients do “leg day” every Friday, because if you sprained your ankle that morning they’re not going to adjust the workout to your needs.
Do they have knowledge and experience? I’ve seen every level of coaching in the fitness biz, from “certification chasers” that get certs for credentials and don’t utilize anything they learned in the courses to robotic perfectionists that don’t care that you have food poisoning on a scheduled calisthenics day. Some of the best instructors that certified me in strength and conditioning and modalities such as kettlebells enjoy a beer once in awhile and aren’t part time models. Some fellow trainers have been in fitness competitions and now have an “average” body, but their knowledge about how to train for these sports is still there. I have friends that have had life-altering injuries that are coaches for professional sports teams that you see on TV. A new mom trainer doesn’t forget how to teach pullup progressions to adults when her child progresses to Pullups diapers. Coaches are just like everybody else in that our bodies go through different life stages, so don’t judge their skillset and knowledge on their current body; they’re not judging you on yours.
Are they the right match? It takes time to build a rapport with a new person, especially when you’re trusting them with your hopes, dreams, and fears about your body. A little bit of nerves is normal when meeting someone and learning new skills, but trust your gut if it feels like the coach isn’t the right fit. Don’t fire a coach if they don’t magically make 30 pounds disappear; you should enjoy the process, have a few laughs during sessions, celebrate the wins, and generally look forward to sessions rather than dread them. A good coach will also recognize when a client drains their cup as well and will help you find a better match.
Do they want you to succeed? Like a great teacher or a parent, a great coach will want to teach you everything they know and personalize your experience in an effort to make you consistent in training on your own. We want to educate you enough to be independent and to train with us not because you need us, but that you generally enjoy being our student. A snake oil salesman will make you feel like you’ll never reach your goals without depending on them.
These are just a few ways to narrow down your search for a great fitness coach. Personal trainers make fitness a personal journey, and it’s important to have a good relationship with someone you’re trusting to help you. If you’re looking for an online coach, send me a message to set up a strategy session.