Talking or Listening Coaches

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What is more important for coaches: The mouth or the ears?

Most people would assume that your voice is the most important tool as a coach.

You give people directions.

You tell them what to fix.

You yell at them to slow down (or go faster).

You talk to them about what they should be eating (and what they should not).

You describe how they can change their habits.

But the truly great coaches… the ones that focus on the relationship just as much as the technical side… they listen more than they talk.

They hear what is really going on with folks (not just what they are saying).

They understand what people’s real motivations are.

They listen for what cues and descriptions will work for which clients.

They have conversations, not lectures.

It is important that we keep this in mind as we develop as coaches. It is too easy to get caught up on the technical side, or the pontificating side, of coaching. The technical side is important, but it will not keep people around year after year. Listening will keep people around for decades.

It is even MORE important right now. The Pandemic. The Holidays. And a million other things going on in people’s lives that they aren’t talking to anyone about.

Some of your friends/clients are really struggling.

They may be putting on a brave or happy façade, but deep down they are having a really tough time.

YOU may be putting on a brave or happy façade, and one of the best ways to feel better is to help others.  

Make time to have conversations with your people and listen. Before/after class. On the phone between Zoom classes. At the park over a cup of coffee…

Ask real questions.

Let them open up to you.

And just be a good listener.

You might earn a client for life. You might even save a life.

Thrive on.

-jj

 

How to Go From CrossFit Class Coach to Top Notch Personal Training Wiz

On on one does not equal group class of one

Are you (or your CrossFit class coaches) nervous about coaching personal training sessions? 

Are you asking yourself: "How is a 1-on-1 different than a class?"

Or maybe: "How can I provide the best value as a Personal Trainer?"

I've met hundreds of CrossFit coaches who have never taught a one on one session before. Many were totally comfortable coaching a class of 10-15 people, but got sweaty palms thinking about what to do for an hour with a single individual paying a dollar a minute (or mor…

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14 tips for keeping the class on time and class format examples

Time management is always an issue when we are trying to cram as much value as possible into people’s visits to the gym.

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To help stay on time, I’ve created three infographics to help coaches stay on track with the two primary formats we use.

Down below, I’ll go over some tips to help you keep your class on time, even when it is jam packed with awesome-fitness-magic!

The Overview

This first graphic above, is an overview comparing the two different types. The thing to remember is that these…

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