Benefits of having a Powerlifting Coach
Is having a coach worth it?
The short answer is definitely yes. The long answer is a bit longer.
Are you going to listen to your coach and do what they tell you to do?
Are you receptive to feedback and able to implement it?
Will you be honest when you mess up your training or nutrition?
Is your coach a good coach?
If the answer to all of these was yes, then having a coach is definitely worth it.
Even the top powerlifters in the world have coaches. There are multiple benefits to having a coach, which I will go through in this post.
Knowledge:
This one seems a bit obvious, but it is still important. A good coach should be extremely knowledgeable in what they are coaching. Powerlifting is no different. By having a coach, you have someone who will know how to make people stronger, including you.
A coach should be able to recognise your weak points, and what can make them stronger. Whether this is by spotting that a particular muscle is weak and limiting your lift, or by spotting an error in technique and knowing how best to fix it.
They should also be an expert in powerlifting. Many people get strong, but do not lift to competition standard or don’t know how to handle themselves on competition day. A coach will know the rules of your federation, how to best prepare for a competition, what to do on the day, etc
Feedback & analysis of lifts:
Most people won’t record their lifts and watch them back to analyse them. And even if they do, they might not know what to look for as ways to improve. By having a coach looking at your lifts, whether that is in person or through videos, you have someone that can give you feedback to ensure your program is working how it should be. Following the right RPE, implementing the right cues, and doing everything as planned. The coach can also give a detailed breakdown of your technique so you can visually see what can be improved.
Objective approach:
If you self-program, you will have your own emotional bias to certain aspects of your training. Whether that’s a fear or habit of doing a certain weight. Or even just doing what you enjoy rather than also what you need to do. If you program for yourself, it can be very easy to avoid certain things in your training.
But your coach won’t have any of your bias’. They will give you exercises, weights, intensities, reps, and sets that will work for you. Even if they are something you wouldn’t choose for yourself. You may know you hate doing split squats and will avoid programming them. Your coach doesn’t have to do them, so they’ll be more than happy to program it for you if it will help you. And if you’re paying for a coach, then chances are you trust what they give you and you will execute it.
They will also give you realistic expectations and goals based on what they see. You might lack self confidence and limit your own potential mentally, so a coach will help you aim bigger if you’re capable of it. On the other hand you might need your expectations reigned in a bit, so that you don’t get disappointed if you don’t add 200kg to your total each year.
Accountability:
Similar to an objective approach. You coach will hold you accountable if you are constantly overshooting or going off-program. They will call you out. It’s a lot harder to skip a workout or do whatever you want when you’re paying money for a coach. That money coming out of your bank account can be a great motivator to do your best.
They will also tell you if your lifts are comp standard or not. High squat? Rushed bench pause? Hitching deadlift? They will tell you and let you know to get yourself together and keep you competition standard. If you train with red light standards, then you’ll get red lights at competition.
Sometimes just knowing you’ve got to check in with your coach at the end of the week is enough for people to eat well and train hard and smart.
Motivation:
Leading off from the last point. Your coach is your motivator. Whether that’s just their presence in your life which is keeping you on track. Being there for you on the workouts or weeks that feel like rubbish. And celebrating your wins and your victories in training and competitions. Sounds cheesy, but it can be a big factor in keeping you on track and extending your longevity in the sport.
Conclusion:
Overall, these are just some of the main benefits of having a coach. Having a good coach will help you shoot through plateaus and get closer towards your goals in powerlifting. Sometimes even surpassing your own expectations of yourself.
If you do have any questions on how having a coach could help you then send me a message on my contact form and we can see how I can help you.
