How to Evaluate a Coach

A great coach can make all the difference in reaching your performance or health goals.  Just like there are lots of sources of information on the internet, some reputable and some not, there are lots of people claiming to be experts and offering coaching.  So how can you determine which coaches are the best?  How should you evaluate coaches?

1. Results

   The first thing you should look at when evaluating a coach is the results of their previous coaching clients.  If the coach’s clients and athletes have consistently reached their goals and performed better than they ever did before, and if they are happy with how they were coached to get those results, that’s an indication that the coach is probably good.  In the case of athlete performance, if the athletes or teams are winning competitions, medals, or championships, that can often differentiate a great coach.  

2. Knowledge

   It can also be helpful to consider a coach’s knowledge.  Does the coach have advanced degrees in relevant fields?  Beyond the results of their clients, have the coaches demonstrated their knowledge in other ways, such as with publications in peer-reviewed journals or edited publications (as opposed to blog or social media posts) or with certifications?  

3. Certifications

   Speaking of certifications, beware that not all certifications are equal.  For example, some personal training certifications, such as the NASM certification, not only do not require a college degree in a relevant field, but they don’t require a degree at all.  In fact, to prepare for some personal training certifications, some people take a weekend course or an online course.  As a result, because of its degree, knowledge, and continuing education requirements, the ACSM personal trainer certification is considered the most prestigious in the industry.  Similarly, the NSCA CSCS certification is the gold-standard for strength & conditioning coaches, which is why you almost never see strength & conditioning coaches at the NCAA or professional levels who have not proven their knowledge with that certification.  

4. Do they walk the walk?
   Another helpful aspect to consider is if the coach walks the walk, so to speak.  It’s fairly easy to go find personal trainers who are overweight or out of shape.  Generally the best trainers are able to translate their knowledge into their own health and fitness.  If a coach can’t figure out how to overcome their own challenges and reach their own goals, how can you be sure they will be able to help you?  Conversely, it is not the case that the most ripped trainers or run coaches with the fastest PRs are automatically the best coaches.  The skills required to be an Olympic runner, for example, are not the same as the skills to coach an Olympic runner.  The former requires the genes that provide the talent for someone to be a significant outlier on the spectrum of performance while the latter requires the ability to apply knowledge and skills like empathy, which can be learned and cultivated through deliberate study and practice. 

5. Business model
   One final consideration when evaluating a coach is their business model.  Some coaches will try to convince you that you’re getting a bargain with their lower rates, but then will try to upsell you on additional services or products, like supplements, that you may or may not need.  Good coaches know the value that they bring to their clients and provide everything their clients need to be successful without trying to sell additional products or services.