Freak Fitness

By Darren Mehling, CSCS

Many of you may be looking to hire a contest prep coach. I firmly believe everyone will benefit from having a coach by their side on the way to the stage. Hiring the right coach can give you a distinct competitive advantage. Just look at the top competitors in our sport. Nearly all the current Olympia competitors, in all divisions, have coaches because they know the value of having one. As with any profession, though, there are many great coaches out there, but there are others who are an outright nightmare. Here’s what to look for in a coach so you avoid making a mistake you’ll regret.

First, you must identify what you need and what is most important to you. You should consider several factors, so I’ve provided some key points to examine that will help you find the best coach for you.

Education

Look for university education in nutrition, exercise science, and psychology. Look for internationally recognized and accredited designations such as the National Strength & Conditioning Association Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS), or the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology Certified Personal Trainer (CSEP-CPT). Both of these certifications require university coursework to write the exam, and they’re two of the most respected designations in the field.

Athletic History

If the prospective coach you’re considering has never stepped onstage as a competitor, then I recommend you look for another option. No one can understand or appreciate the challenges one will experience during a contest prep unless they’ve been there themselves, and I think that it that would limit anyone’s ability to be a competent coach. I don’t care how many courses he or she has taken.

Experience

You can’t buy experience, and nothing can replace it. Time in the game is earned and is therefore valuable to both the coach and, more importantly, you. Success leaves clues, and if you find a coach who has 10 years of experience or more, you should move him or her to the top of your list.

Results

You can’t argue with results. And I don’t mean at one show. I mean, what have his or her results been over the years? How many top -three placings has he or she been able to help clients achieve? How many IFBB Pro card qualifications? How many IFBB Pro show wins? I’ll say it again—you can’t argue with results!

Social proof

Psychological scientists have proven that past behaviour predicts future behaviour. This is one of the main tenets of behavioural descriptive interviews (BDI), which are used by many human resource managers when looking for new candidates.

I recommend you use a similar approach, but instead ask the prospective coach for a list of clients you can contact. Ask the past and/or current clients how long they worked with or have been working with the coach. Ask about how they were treated leading up to, at, and after their show. And most importantly, ask if they would recommend that coach to you.

Now, I realize there’s a lot to consider, but you need to make an educated choice. I don’t want you falling victim to the latest hype, believing outlandish claims or filtered pictures posted on social media, or getting suckered by some smooth-talking con man that promises you the world in just four weeks. Be wise and don’t settle. You deserve the best, and you need the find the right coach to help you achieve your goals!

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