Coaching and Personal Training

As many of you know I am a personal trainer and I also coach. It dawned on me the other day that they are very similar even though most people would never think that. Coaches deal with anywhere from 15-60 kids, assistant coaches, AD's, etc.... Coaches typcally deal with team sports and have to consider the team in all of their approach. Personal trainers typically have one or two clients at a time, their is no other trainer that works with those clients, and their really isn't any other consideration other than what the client wants. However, both positions require an enormous amount of "personal" contact. A good coach in my opinion is the one that know each and every athlete. The coach knows how to motivate athlete "x" and athlete "y". They know the strengths and weaknesses of all their athletes. They know how they handle disappointment and success. Personal trainers must know what their client wants, why they are coming to the gym, what obstacles to success lie in their path, how do they react to exercises, workouts, etc... If as a coach you approach every individual athlete the same, I can almost guarantee you will not be successful longterm. And likewise if as a trainer you approach all your clients the same, give them the same workouts, push them the same, you will have a lot of open time in your day, because people paying $50+ an hour for your time want more than a cookie cutter approach. They want personal!!!! At WRP and at Bend High I make sure I take the time to learn and get to know each and every client and athlete. Their success is my success. Build relationships. Spend time learning how best to serve your client or athletes. Invest in them and the payoff will be tremendous for everyone! Have a great day.