what is online coaching?

If you want something done right, you got to do it yourself. Possibly the single worst piece of advice you've ever been given. 

If you require brain surgery, may I suggest that the last person who should be tinkering with the nuggin is you.

Broadly, the same is true with strength & conditioning training. Most successful people whether in business, sports or relationships will have, or have had a coach at one time. Even the best sportspeople in the world have a coach, and most likely several coaches who each hone the athletes skills to ensure optimal performance. The world of business coaching is about achieving optimal performance in your industry, and StrongDad coaching is about achieving optimal performance for you, whatever that might look like. 

Do I need a coach?

Well, if you want efficient and effective training that will get you the quickest results possible, its best you get on google and find yourself someone who specialises in whatever it is you want to achieve. There's no 'perfect' time to get a coach, but ideally a coach is there to guide you a to a specific goal using the best means available to you.

Here are some reasons you might need a coach:

1. Not achieving your goals: You might have a goal or idea of what you want to achieve but no way of knowing how to get from A to B. A good coach will be your technical supporter, motivator, leader, planner and psychologist, to enable you to actually achieve what's on your vision board.
2. Hit plateau in training: Here's the scenario. You've been training regularly for a while and had some great results early doors well done you. But now that's all changed and you don't know why. If you're failing to make progress then chances are you're not doing all the right things. A coach will give an objective perspective and provide strategies on how to overcome these plates and keep pushing forward.
3. Lack direction or motivation: If you feel lost and directionless, you're not alone. A coach can change all of that by helping you really focus and figure out your true purpose, and once that is sorted, help you plan measurable processes that will navigate you on the journey.
4. Keep you focused: If you suffer from 'shiny penny syndrome' then a coach might be the perfect tool A for you. A coach will keep you focussed on specific targets and processes you need to accomplish your goals.
5. Accountability: If you already know roughly what you need to do to achieve your goals but you're terrible for making excuses and or putting it off, a coaches job is to be your conscience, providing a supportive nudge in the right direction and demanding answers when you let yourself down. Sometimes the coach will ask uncomfortable questions that are difficult to ask of yourself. These are bedrock to the coaching process and are fundamental to you staying the course.
6. To save time & money: Coaching accelerates your success, helping you get from point A to B faster than you could on your own. time IS money. So by spending some cash on coaching, you're saving yourself lost time and wasted money chasing avenues that ultimately lead nowhere.
7. Increase confidence and RE-motivate: Your personal motivation is a finite resource. If you've been struggling for a while good coaching accelerates progress and can RE-motivate you and help you re-gain confidence that you can actually attain the performance and physique you want.
8. Objective feedback: One of the keys to unlocking your potential is gaining a clearer understanding of yourself. A coach can help you dig deeper into your own psyche to analyse your actions, behaviours, thought processes and subsequent areas for improvement. This can be a difficult process because no one likes to be critiqued. But, once you truly understand your triggers and actions, you can make the changes necessary to become the person you need to be in order to have the success you desire.
9. Boost your overall resilience: Whatever issues you're facing in life, working with your coach is all about putting you back in the driving seat and equipping you with a satnav. Building resilience means life's other struggles will become easier to handle. You'll feel happier, more positive and supported, and confident.

Why not just get a personal trainer?

You could just get a personal trainer... however PT's generally only focus on you for the hour or two you have with them each week. Its intensive 'learning' that in our experience doesnt influence people much further than the gym floor.

Coaching is about long-term behaviour change and giving ownership of your training back to you. There's also a cost benefit to online coaching. Most PT's will start at around £35 per hour. So for 2 hour sessions a week that's equivalent to £280 per month. (We suggest a minimum of 3 training sessions per week as standard) This often does not include extras like nutrition advice or accountability coaching. Plus, its not flexible to your busy lifestyle.

Setting strict appointments with your PT means that you really have no bend in your training regime. The smalest flux in daily life (kids being sick, work calling you in to the office) means you more likely lose 50% of your weeks training with just one missed session. With online coaching you control the timings of when you train. Making for a more flexible program and one that s easier to adhere to.

Thats not to say personal training is a waste of time, working on something specifically with a trainer (like a specific lifting technique) is probably a good idea, but using a PT for 'motivation' is a terrible idea. Motivation needs to come from within, looking for a PT to motivate you is a mistake. Use PT for technical in-person feedback. Use a coach for long term results and sustainable change.

​If you want to talk to us about coaching with StrongDad - book a call using this link. or drop us an email at team@strongdad.couk