Find a Great Coach

With there being around 10,000 CrossFit gyms worldwide and I'm guessing an average of 5 coaches per gym, that would be roughly 50,000 CrossFit coaches out there. I've met good ones and bad ones. Great ones and pathetic ones. I've been to awesome looking boxes and other gyms that aren't so hot. There is no specified box or gym that has great coaches. Great coaches possess certain things that good coaches do not. Certain qualities and characteristics that separate them from the rest of the field. Anyone can get certified over the course of a 2 day certification, get their level 1 CrossFit certificate, apply at a gym, get hired and begin "leading" members of a gym. 

To me, the process is too easy. But, there isn't really any way around this. How is it too easy? 

Example: I hear about CrossFit from some friends. I go and try it out and I am hooked. So I go through the Elements routine. Pick my classes and dive in. 6 months later I decide I want to coach CrossFit so I pick a weekend and attend the Level 1 seminar and pass the test. Then, just like that, I am now a CrossFit Coach and get hired by a local box. This is all great. The problem is that for the last few years I've been trained in another field and put all of my time and effort into becoming really good at that career. CrossFit was my hobby and it is way more fun than my everyday job and if "they" can do it, so can I. 

No you can't. At least not right out of the gates and fresh out of the Level 1 seminar. Just like it takes any other profession to become great at, the same is true of CrossFit Coaches. The reason it seems so easy is because there are so many "whiteboard readers" out there who don't actually coach. 

The coach/athlete relationship is a huge part. The coach has to be involved with the athlete on a level more than just being a cheerleader. They have to recognize faults and be able to communicate to the athlete what is going on. They have to be confident in the point the are trying to getting across. They also have to understand that it each athlete will respond differently to coaching. What the athlete responds to and the best ways to motivate them. 

The coach needs to be aware of the goals of the client so they can make recommendations and coach them with advice that relates directly to their goals.

A great coach will explain the point behind the workout. Why it's programmed. How the athlete is supposed to feel during the workout. They will help strategize and give tips to the athletes that will optimize performance.

A great coach will hold you accountable and make you slow down. They will be extra hard on you. They will hold you responsible. It's not to make you "lose" the workout. The coach could care less about that. Going fast and out of control isn't where progress is made and a great coach knows that. They will do all of these things because they believe in you and want you to be successful as much as you want it for yourself. 

Great coaches will make workouts fun. They make people want to be there and keep coming back. They stay humble are give all the credit to the athlete. 

Find a great coach. Someone who believes in you and can push your buttons the right way. Let them help you. Let them lead you. 

I have been in the fitness game for close to 9 years and am still learning new ways to coach and help others. This post is by no means a way to highlight me as a great coach or the best out there or anything like that. That title is out of the coaches hands and must be given by those around him/her. It cannot be self appointed. It can only be earned.