What to Look For When Choosing a Competition Preparation Coach
- Kaitlyn Marie Redmore
- Jan 19, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 25, 2023
When you are choosing a comp prep coach to help you with your journey to the stage, you must take into consideration many different factors that will determine your success.
Your coach in the ideal world will be there leading you through your pre-season, competition season, and post-season. This is why you want to choose a coach that knows what they are doing and also aligns with your goals and values.
There are so many competition prep coaches out there, so it can be overwhelming when trying to determine the best coach for you and your journey.
Everyone’s journey is special and unique, there is no one size fits all. Coaches that take this approach and give the same protocols to all clients should be avoided at all costs. Yes, many people will need similar interventions to get them stage ready, but this will always be a case-by-case basis.
A coach should evaluate your goals, current physique, training age, and overall mental and physical health, among many other factors. This is why it is important to pick a coach that really cares for their clients and wants the best for them.
The journey is an ongoing reevaluation of progress, this is why check-ins with your coach are so vital. Your coach should be devoting all their attention to you and your needs during check ins, this is your time to get feedback and adjust any protocols that may need tweaks.
However, your coach is not there to do all the work for you. You must put in the hard yards, as it is you, your body, and your mind that ultimately determines the outcome.
So, although you want a coach that is supportive, keeps it real and keeps you accountable, you need to ensure you put in the effort and always communicate any hiccups you encounter with your coach. Because trust me, there will always be hiccups along the way. These moments, however, are some of the biggest lessons you will learn and you will take some of these away with you long after your competing days.
In summary, do your research, do not rush into a decision, and have consultations with coaches to see if they gel with you and align with your goals and values.
Good luck and know that everyone has to start somewhere. You never know what you are capable of until you try!
