Personal Training and Wellness Advice from Crux Fitness – Patrick’s Coaching Philosophy
A conscious coach knows that the job involves so much more than showing up to a gym and giving orders. Good coaches – no, real coaches understand that they’ve been put in a position of power, and that must never be taken lightly.
Real coaches know the importance of creating a culture of positivity and work ethic. They must be hyper-aware of the importance of effective communication, and on a similar note be aware of the energy that they bring to their clients and athletes. They need to appreciate the opportunity to lead and coach, and because of that they must always be on a quest to further their knowledge and practical experience in all things human performance-related.
Most importantly, they must genuinely give a shit about their clients and athletes – people who oftentimes become part of their extended family through the never ending process of sweating, hurting and growing together. And because they care so much about their people, real coaches are selfless, give praise where it’s due, and are always aiming to shift society’s perspective on what’s really important (i.e. focus on health, happiness, play, and relationships, rather than how many pair of Yeezy’s you own).
To consistently embody all the aforementioned traits of a great coach is no easy task. Enter the coaching philosophy: a detailed description of what each coach believes to be the most effective way to lead others. It serves as the Google Maps of their professional development. It’s the shining North Star when they feel worn out and apathetic (which happens to the best of us). Without a well-thought out coaching philosophy, a coach or trainer is simply a robotic rep counter – someone who doesn’t give a fuck about the art of coaching, or the impact that their actions have on others.
Anyways, here’s my coaching philosophy for anybody who’s made it this far in the blog post. I wrote it almost four years ago and nothing has changed about it. These are timeless principles that make a world of difference when it comes to leading others towards health and performance.
How I must show up for my clients and athletes:
- I am constantly learning about kinesiology and exercise science
- I am constantly learning about the art of coaching
- I always have my sessions planned weeks, if not months in advance; however, the plan is never set in stone and I will be flexible if a session needs to be changed (e.g. due to injury or illness)
- I will communicate to my clients the purpose/focus of each training session, I want them to be involved in the process and understand the method behind the madness
- I care about my clients’ growth and well-being; I am constantly working on developing close relationships with them; their drive should come from the principles that I instill in them, not from fear of consequences
- I always show my clients love at the end of each session (e.g. a high five, fist bump, and brief conversation about the day’s performance)
- I will always give honest feedback about my clients’ performance
- When I feel that I am being excessively stern, I make sure my clients understand to not take it personally
- In order to instill an unbreakable will, obsessive work ethic, and growth mindset…
- I lead by example
- I constantly hammer verbal cues into the minds of my clients
- I reinforce behaviours either through positive or negative reinforcement, never punishment
- I always give feedback on ways to improve at the end of each session
As you can see, it’s not a thousand word essay, nor is it some esoteric spiritual affirmation I say to myself every morning. It’s a short but detailed list of all the behaviours I want to consistently apply to those that I train. Fucking important stuff. So next time you’re looking to hire a coach or trainer, ask them what their coaching philosophy is. If you get a blank stare in return then you’re probably talking to an Instagram fitness influencer and should probably move on to find a real professional who can guide you towards your goals.
As always, if you’d like to know more about, and start taking responsibility for your own health, fitness, and wellness, please reach out to Crux Fitness Richmond for any of your personal training needs.
Patrick Koo – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer at Crux Fitness Richmond
