Online powerlifting coaching is popular. But is it worth the money? Here are five ways to get the most out of it.
If you’re here for a definitive answer, let me save you some time. Yes, online powerlifting coaching is worth it. It’s not just a fad; it’s a proven method for achieving your goals. And with the right approach, you can ensure you get what you pay for and more.
I have been an online fitness coach since 2010. Yeah, I’m getting old. When I started, selling people on remote coaching took a lot of work. People didn’t even think it was possible. Now, everyone is an online coach. All you need is an Instagram account and a couple of followers. Even more, everyone serious about their fitness has a coach.
I get that I’m biased, but this is awesome. Back in the day, if you wanted a fitness coach, your only option was the local trainer at the YMCA. That means it was slim pickings if you are from a small town like me. Now, you can literally work with the best coaches in the world. It’s a cheat code to fast-track your results.
That said, picking a qualified coach is only half the battle. In the end, nothing works unless you do. Here are five tips to get the most out of your coaching experience.
1: Do Your Research
The first step in maximizing the benefits of online powerlifting coaching is choosing the right coach. Remember, quality coaching is not a commodity. It’s a unique and valuable service. Just because someone has “powerlifting coach” in their bio doesn’t mean they are qualified.
Let’s start there. What makes a coach qualified? Everyone will have a different opinion on this. I like to look at a few areas.
Education
You don’t need a PhD to be a good powerlifting coach. However, formal education holds value. I value it so much that I went back and got my master’s degree this past year. Plus, the industry has shifted. Coaches are much more likely to have advanced degrees now than in the past. There isn’t much of a divide between academics and practitioners anymore.
At a minimum, someone with a degree in an exercise-related field has proven they have spent time learning more than just the basics. Education goes beyond formal, too. You can be a highly educated powerlifting coach without having a formal degree. But the burden is on the coach to prove that to everyone.
Experience
The first level of expertise is simply training experience. You learn a lot by training yourself and trying new things. Someone who has only been in the gym a year or two doesn’t have any business training someone else.
Next, how long have they been coaching others, specifically online? Online coaching is a different skill than in-person coaching. Generally, you want a coach with some experience under their belt. Experience shows that the coach is legit. This is a tough business. New coaches pop up every day, but very few stick. I can count on one hand how many online coaches have been in the game since I started.
Track Record of Success
Experience is great, but who have they coached? A coach should have a track record of success, complete with testimonials and reviews. You also want to find a coach who has succeeded in working with people like you. If you are an elite powerlifter, you want a coach who has worked with other elite lifters. On the other hand, if you are a beginner, you want a coach with success bringing beginners up to speed.
It goes beyond the X’s and O’s, too. For example, as a 32-year-old father of three with a ton of responsibilities, it would be hard for me to connect with a 21-year-old coach with little life experience, even if they met the other requirements.
Take the time to get to know different coaches. Read their articles, listen to their podcasts, and learn who they are. This is crucial because establishing trust with your coach is critical to a successful coaching relationship. When you hire a coach, you should feel confident in their abilities and fully trust their guidance.
2: Have Realistic Expectations
In the beginning, almost everyone says, “I will do whatever it takes to be the best powerlifter I can be.” I love the enthusiasm, but are you sure about that? Because it’s okay if you are not.
I take powerlifting seriously, but at this stage, I’m not willing to do whatever it takes. I have a business, three kids, and other interests. There is only so much time and, more importantly, energy to go around.
I always recommend a “realistic” approach. Instead of blowing out of the gates like it’s a 40-yard dash, pace yourself. Too many powerlifters get burned out before they reach their potential.
The average powerlifter competes for under two years and does at most four meets. The data shows that only about 5% of competitors have competed for over five years [1]. We want to be in that five percent. There is no way to reach your potential in under two years.
So, how do we stay in the game long enough to at least approach our potential? The answer lies in realistic expectations. Remember, this doesn’t mean lowering your standards. Realistic means being honest with yourself about what you can realistically adhere to.
Your coach can only control what they put in the program. You control how well you execute it. If you have big dreams, match them with a big work ethic. It goes beyond training hard. Your nutrition and sleep need to be dialed in as well.
3: Be Coachable
Being coachable is a critical component of success in both fitness and life. Epictetus said it best, “It’s impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
Coachability comes down to being open to change and feedback and being willing to be held accountable. Most lifters are good at being accountable for what they want to do, but the best lifters are accountable for what they don’t want to do.
A coaching relationship should be collaborative, but there is a limit to that. Some people hire a coach simply to validate what they are currently doing. You need to be open to change. That’s how you get better.
Everyone has things they could do better. However, it’s hard to see the blind spots when coaching yourself. You are too emotionally connected. We all have exercises, rep ranges, and training splits we favor. And when you hire a coach, and they suggest making a change, the first reaction is to push back. Change is uncomfortable.
When your coach suggests that you try something new, it doesn’t mean that you suck and what you are doing is necessarily wrong. There is more than one correct way to do things.
A coach’s role is to guide and push you beyond your comfort zone. They will have you do things you might not want to do, but these challenges often help you grow the most.
Have a Growth Mindset
You need to look at coaching with a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to improve and learn. They believe that even if they struggle at first, they can get better with practice. On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the belief that abilities are static and unchangeable. A fixed mindset is hard to admit, but many people have it. This mindset can lead you to avoid challenges, give up quickly, and feel discouraged by failure. Ultimately, it limits your progress.
4: Don’t Try to “Fool” Your Coach
I hate that I have to say this, but don’t try to fool your coach. Look, everyone has bad days, even bad weeks. No one is perfect, and your coach won’t expect you to be.
Remember, your coach only knows what you tell them. If you are struggling with an aspect of the plan, be open about it. A good coach will help you figure out what the issue is. Good coaching is a partnership. The more your coach knows, the better they can help you.
If you go rogue and off the program, just let your coach know what’s up. If you overshoot an attempt, it’s better to let the coach know so they can adjust accordingly.
Here is a secret most coaches won’t tell you—it’s usually not a big deal. Of course, I recommend sticking to the plan as closely as possible. That’s why you are paying for coaching, right? But if you zig when you should have zagged, it’s probably not the end of the world.
That said, don’t intentionally change anything on your own.
In my years of coaching, I have seen more issues on the nutrition side. For the most part, I don’t want my powerlifters weighing, measuring, and tracking everything they eat. Lifters don’t have to eat like they’re in a bodybuilding contest prep, but you need some nutrition system in place to optimize performance. Be honest about what you are willing to do.
Communication is the key to a successful coaching relationship. Be open and honest, and ask questions. If you don’t know why you are doing something, ask. Asking your coach why you’re doing something should be welcomed, at least if they’re doing this for the right reasons.
5: Consistency
Last but not least, consistency. A coach can only help you if you help yourself. To do that, you need to be consistent.
It all begins with your regular updates. Your coach values your input, and it’s crucial to the coaching process. If your coach requests weekly updates, make sure to provide them. These consistent updates are the backbone of an organized approach. Share how your week went, any potential life events in the coming week, and how you are doing physically and mentally, even if it doesn’t seem training-related. The more your coach knows, the better they can tailor the program to your needs.
Stay consistent with sending videos, too. Technique analysis is an invaluable tool for improving, especially for beginners. Try to get videos from multiple angles. I know it’s a pain, but it’s part of the process. It’s also a good habit to get into. Watching your lifts back is an excellent way to improve your technique and RPE/RIR. Often, lifts look different than they feel.
Part of consistency is patience. When people first hire a coach, they are consistent and motivated. There is excitement in the newness of it all. But, like everything, the excitement dies down over time. Don’t expect miracles overnight. Progress takes time. One of the benefits of coaching is that the longer you work with a coach, the more information and data they have on you. With that comes more customized programming. The real benefits come a few months in. Commit to the process.
So, Are You Ready for Online Powerlifting Coaching?
Let’s get you signed up. I’m just kidding—unless you’re ready to get after it. In that case, let’s go! But in all seriousness, I believe in coaching. It’s the best way to take your training to the next level. Not only that, but it will save you time.
The unfortunate reality in the game of life is that the clock continues whether we are in the game or not. Time doesn’t stop while we are on the sidelines. It’s up to us to make the most of it. We can spend it getting closer to our goals or let them stay out in the distance. Of course, coaching doesn’t guarantee results, but if you follow the tips in this article, you will be well on your way.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.
Interested in learning more? Check out my article on warming up. How I Warm Up For a Workout in 10 Minutes or Less: https://kylehuntfitness.com/how-i-warm-up-for-a-workout-in-10-minutes-or-less/
References
- Latella, C., Teo, W. P., Spathis, J., & van den Hoek, D. (2020). Long-Term Strength Adaptation: A 15-Year Analysis of Powerlifting Athletes. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 34(9), 2412–2418. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003657
Author: Kyle Hunt
Email: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com
Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/