A great coach can be the difference between success and failure. They require the right combination of personality and knowledge to push; but not too far. Your clients look up to them; are they charismatic?
Below, I will go over 3 tips to build better trainers at your box. So sit back, grab a paleo treat, and be ready to evaluate your coaching, people, and presentation skills.
Being the best box coach is not about who has the biggest deadlift, fastest Fran or has read every article in the CrossFit Journal. Before you attempt to teach people how to coach, you need to become an excellent coach yourself. Below is a 3 step plan on how to develop your coaching and pass it on to your future WOD teachers.
#1 Study, Test, Adjust
First you must develop a fundamental understanding of the technical information. Reading, studying and getting Certified is a start, but as they say at all Level One Certifications, you need to get out there and apply this new knowledge. Until you start teaching people the new information, it won’t ever become more than data. Study the material, test your skills, then adjust your presentation for every client and class depending on their skill, age, gender, mobility, and personality.
When you have new knowledge, your job is to simplify the most technical movements. Coach Burgener talks about three simple things only – stance, grip, and posture – while breaking down two of the most technical movements in the program. If a client is new or struggling, it is your job to break down the movement to a point where it’s understood. Give them one task, let them perfect it, then move onto the next.
The last piece is adjusting your craft to appeal to your clients. Your members are the board of directors. If they are not fond of your style or do not respond to your cues, they will train somewhere else. One way to find out how they feel is to send out a survey using Survey Monkey or Zoomerang. You will get a ton of responses and be able to correct your mistakes.
#2 Lead By Example
Do you celebrate a member’s first double-under as much as another’s 500lbs deadlift? Do you welcome a big class, or huff and puff when there are not enough bars? Every single thing you say as a coach is soaked up and evaluated. If your calculus teacher told you “This test is so hard….” how would that make you feel? Your anxiety would be running wild, right?
You are on stage when you are coaching a class, whether of two or twenty. Your goal is to be positive, encouraging and motivating. Set your class up for success by forgetting about your own poor overhead squat, and celebrating every breakthrough. Encourage the walk-in, fire-breather, and weekend warrior equally.
#3 Duplicate and Evaluate
Why are fast food chains so successful? Because every time you visit, you know exactly what you are going to get. The fries are crispy, the bun is soft and the burger tastes the same as last year. Terrible food, but highly efficient.
As soon as you’ve nailed down a coaching style that you feel represents your philosophy well, create a road map that lays a clear path to follow. Every new coach should follow the criteria you put together, from how to handle new members to introducing the WOD to the class. Clear, concise objectives and expectations should be written down. I know, putting 225 pounds over your head is more fun, but having this system is vital the longevity and success of your business.
Coaches will have different styles, personalities and Fran times and people will take a liking to their different styles. But the core of the coaching at your gym needs to be one voice.
The last piece is the evaluation. What job does not have evaluations or 6 month reviews? Set up a system to evaluate the performance of your staff. Rules, standards and objectives should be in writing. Hold your coaches to a high standard and your community will take notice. There is a time to WOD and there is a time to act like an owner, boss, mentor and leader; make sure you know how to separate the two.
Your turn. Do you run a internship program at your box? Leave a comment below and tell me about it.
This blog post was kindly written for us by Geo Rockwell, the owner of CrossFit Mission Gorge in San Diego and founder of Fitrilla.com, where fitness entrepreneurs share their secrets to success. He has his CrossFit level one certification, CrossFit Endurance Certification, ACE Certification, and a Bachelors in Physical Education.