What Makes a Strength Coach Successful?

No matter what goal you’re aiming at, the strength and conditioning coach you choose to guide you on your path is crucial to your success.

Yes, it is up to you to propel yourself forward— A strength coach supplies the wheels, though, including physical and mental exercises, training techniques, and last but certainly not least, injury prevention.

An effective coach comes in many forms— You will seldom find a one-size fits all approach. That’s why it’s so important to seek out a coach who is thorough in all of the following areas:

• Punctual & Communicative

Effective coaching requires that you respect your coach on a subconscious level— It can be difficult to consistently motivate yourself to show up in strength training if your coach slacks off and can’t even show up on time.

Even more important than punctuality, effective communication on all fronts is an essential requisite to a successful training program. This means that they should ask you about why you want to succeed, what setbacks you are trying to overcome, and if you have any previous injuries they should be aware of.

A coach’s communication with other clients and trainers is just as telling as their interactions with you. They should speak confidently while still retaining the ability to receive constructive feedback. If you have a concern, they should listen, remain composed, and calmly relay solutions.

• Interested & Striving to Improve

When selecting a strength coach, watch how they interact with their current athletes, what movements they choose and why, and what modifications they make as a session goes on. It is imperative that they be alert and interested amidst the whole thing.

Anyone who believes they have mastered something stops improving— While confidence in their knowledge is key, humility and hunger for more is what drives a coach to new heights. When you see them striving to improve, it will be a lot easier for you to do the same.

• Proud With a Sense of Perspective

Someone who takes pride in their work is bound to succeed— When a coach takes pride in the accomplishments of their clients, too, this translates into more motivation to overcome obstacles. While overconfidence in strength training can be dangerous, a strong and healthy sense of pride leads to a stronger, healthier physical state.

While a coach should take pride in their clients’ success, they should not take ownership of it. A sense of perspective is key in separating their role and all other aspects of your training with healthy boundaries. Pushing past your limits requires perspective of what you should look to others for and what is on you.

• Structured Yet Adaptable

A structured atmosphere shows that a coach knows what he is doing. Alterations to that structure as time goes on show that he is paying attention and has the skill necessary to truly steer you towards greater strength. 

Before you sign up for sessions with a strength coach, pay attention to how well-thought-out his workouts are and how much thought he puts into situations where something isn’t working or there is an injury.

• Composed & Self-Aware

Every coach has their own style— While a little tough love can go a long way, flying off the handle can lead to lessened motivation. Ensure that the coach you choose seems self-aware and remains composed under stressful situations. 

True strength comes from knowing yourself—This means that you should play upon your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. A coach that is self-aware isn’t perfect, but he is always improving. A strong coach cultivates stronger clients, both physically and psychologically.