Based on the response from Survey Question #1, I am curious about what type of coaching style most appeals to you. Take a look at the options below and post to the comments the choice that is MOST like you. What you look for in a coach and coaching style may be more than one of these options or a combination of several but limit your choice to your TOP pick. You may, in addition to the description of what is MOST like you, note which choice represents you the LEAST.
My primary need from a coach and coaching style I prefer is:
1. PRIMARY NEED: GUIDANCE.
I like a coach that lets me work in small groups with my friends but leads us through the warm-up, offers a description and a demonstration of the movements of the day, and motivates me through the workout. I don't need 100% attention because, while I look to the coach for guidance and leadership, I am comfortable working in small groups of Teammates who can also aid me when needed.
2. PRIMARY NEED: REFERENCE.
I like a coach who is on stand-by for me when I have a question but generally leaves me alone to do my own thing. I prefer to walk in, get started, do the workout, and be on with my day. If I have questions, I'll ask. I need a coach around in case there is something I don't understand but don't need him or her to engage with me otherwise. I feel most comfortable on my own.
3. PRIMARY NEED: LEADERSHIP/PURPOSE
I like a coach that controls the WOD for the whole 60 minutes. Every minute is accounted for and lead by the proper authority, i.e. the coach. This is the typical coaching style for most team sports. I prefer a coach that takes charge and leads me and the group through each phase of the workout. I need a coach around to keep me on track and motivated so constant leadership is important. The group is always together in a team setting with the coach in front of the group.
4. PRIMARY NEED: ADVICE
I like a coach that can provide strategic thinking, game-like perceptions, and detailed advice that will improve my performance in the workout. In general, I am fine on my own, am fairly self-sufficient, and feel confident doing my own thing (a lot like #2 above) but I need a coach ‘in the area’ and when the coach sees a deficiency in my performance or technique, I like to be told how to fix it. Additionally, if there is a way to improve my performance through strategy or gamesmanship, I'd like to have a coach who will help me develop these talents.
5. PRIMARY NEED: ACCEPTANCE/RELATIONSHIP
I like a coach that engages with me on a personal level. It doesn't matter if I PR every day as long as I am noticed and accepted by my coach and my Team. I prefer a coach that may not be a specialist in the realm of exercise science, but has the personality and charisma to make every workout feel like a community event. The training itself isn't as important as how the coach relates to the athletes and creates an environment of community and teamwork. I need a coach who emphasizes Teamwork and how I fit into the Team.
"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." - Nelson Mandela
My primary need from a coach is option 4: Advice. I am looking to fine tune and get better at all lifts and exercises. It is important to me to be able to lift more and move faster efficiently; and I need a coach telling me how to do this.
Posted by: Mandy | January 23, 2012 at 06:34 AM
I can see that I am a little bit each of these depending on the day. Right now, being new to the program, I am more like #1. As I get more experienced and comfortable/confident I can see myself becoming more like #4.
Posted by: eileen | January 23, 2012 at 09:04 AM
Primarily #4. I like to know that if I'm lacking in form or another area that I'm going to be called out. I also like to be motivated throughout the wod.
Posted by: baker | January 23, 2012 at 09:26 AM
Number 1 – which reflects a lot of my personality – I don’t like to feel micromanaged :) This was a tough one to answer because while I likley benefit most from structure and guidance in order to help stay on track, or make the most of my hour of training, I find that the greater part of my inspiration and motivation are fueled by friends at the gym - this being the allure. Some of you have received my texts about what time to train and the threats of beatin' ya down! Example: "Pete, what time should I kick your ass?" or "Luke, don't try and beat me today."
What I don’t like is the absence of a coach because I feel there needs to be an outside eye for safety - ALWAYS. Extra motivation from a coach is helpful BUT don't tell me what to do! ;-) Just kidding... kinda.
Posted by: Kellams | January 23, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Number 4 for sure. I want to know if my technique is off; it's better for me in the long run. I also want to be called out if I'm being lazy.
Number 2 is the qualities I least like in a coach.
Posted by: Melody | January 23, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Number 4. I am new to HEL and to Crossfit...thus I am new to almost every lift/movement. I want guidance and coaching to know that my form is correct (or that it is improving). I can motivate myself to do the work...but I want someone there to make sure I am doing it right.
Posted by: emily | January 23, 2012 at 12:12 PM
#4 is what I look for. I like the motivation and advice a coach offers through out the workout.
I like the qualities of #5 in a coach but would never want those to be the #1 priority in a training setting. Fitness is gained thru the expertise of a coach, the relationships and fun is an added bonus that HEL provides and excels at.
Posted by: Erik L | January 23, 2012 at 12:57 PM
#4. I'm always looking for the most efficient way to do something and to make improvement and many times an objective perspective is needed to do that. I also appreciate good motivation so a bit of #3.
Posted by: drew | January 23, 2012 at 08:20 PM
6. A coach with a dog that looks like a lion and tries to bite you when you run by him for the warm-up jog.
Actually, #4 is top for me. However, the others are true for the most part as well.
Posted by: Ted | January 24, 2012 at 01:21 AM
#4 is most important to me, but good motivation is a important aswell
Posted by: erik | January 24, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Since so many of you are choosing number 4, I want to clarify each choice somewhat.
The odd numbers (1, 3, and 5) are collective in nature. Choosing an odd number means you like to train with a group and have a coach primarily with you all the time. 1 is if you like small groups with coaching guidance, 3 is if you like one large team with coaching leadership, and 5 is if you like one large community with the lines between coach and athlete fairly thin - the coach training with the athletes from time to time even.
The even numbers (2 and 4) are individual in nature. Choosing an even number means you like to train on your own, alone. The coach leaves you alone for the most part and his or her presence is rarely noticed. The difference between 2 and 4 is that a choice of 2 means you want to be left alone and if you have a problem you'll ask and a choice of 4 means that you want to be left alone and if you have a problem you want to be told you do. In 2 the coach sees your deficientcy but doesn't say anything until you ask him to, in 4 the coach notices your deficientcy and doesn't wait for you to ask and instead just corrects the problem.
The reason I wanted to clarify this was because by choosing option number 4 what your telling me is that you like a coach who generally leaves you alone, say for 50 out of 60 minutes, but when he or she notices you need a correction to a movement will come over and give some advice. Is this really the case?
Also, many of you have chosen 4/1 or 4/3. Is it normal to choose an odd and even number together to represent the individual and collective mind-set. What I find interesting in this survey question is that the individual was chosen over the collective, i.e. option 4 over option 1 or 3.
Thanks for your responses!
Posted by: Coach Kevin | January 24, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Ok, so I meant to put my answer up earlier...I haven't read Kevin's post yet because I didn't want it to influence my thoughts. I realize this is a lame answer, but I see a bit of each in my answer. So much depends on the day and the WOD. My coaching needs are not static...they're a moving target. I guess that would make me high maintenance :-)
Posted by: Noel | January 24, 2012 at 08:25 PM
Before I read coach's comment I was going to put #4 after I read coach's comment I'm still going with #4. Because above all I want to get better, stronger, faster, tougher, and do it with a minimal amount of injury. To do that I need a good coach that is going to call me out on my shit. #1 and #3 is what makes Crossfit and HEL so great, but they make no mention of performance, technique, or strategy. I look at Crossfit as a Sport or at least a really fucking fun game and I need the things listed in #4 to make me better at my game. With that said if it wasn't for the motivation, inspiration, and friendship I get from the community and Coach at HEL I wouldn't train at HEL.
Posted by: jeff ras | January 25, 2012 at 11:09 AM
I am still sticking with #4 as my option. I am looking to move more weight faster and I need a coach correcting the small movements so I know how to be efficient at doing this. I also appreciate a coach who sets a target for me. For example a couple of weeks ago Coach Kevin told me how fast I should be running a 300M. I like that b/c then I know what I am shooting for.
Posted by: Mandy | January 25, 2012 at 12:31 PM