I have been working with a personal trainer the last four weeks in an effort to become a better swimmer. My trainer and I started with the basics including determining how my breathing technique was. It came as no surprise to me that it was terrible. My trainer also examined my kicks, which were better, but still had room for improvement. Lastly, she looked at my arm strokes and while my right arm was doing OK, I was really struggling with getting a full stroke in while using my left arm.
One day while working with my trainer, I had an epiphany…”what I do as a coach is not much different than what a personal trainer does.” Here are some ways that a coach and a personal trainer are similar:
Determine Needs. We both talk to our clients to determine what they hope to accomplish by engaging our services. I didn’t approach my trainer and say “train me.” I sought out a trainer that specializes in swimming. We talked about what my issues were, and how she believed she could help me.
Develop a Plan. Just like a coach, a trainer and client work together to develop a plan. Changing a lifetime of bad habits is not something that can be accomplished in a single session. Instead, we break down as many issues as we can into manageable changes. This is the best way to transform bad habits into good techniques.
Weekly sessions. The more you see us in the start, the more effective we can be. In the week between our training sessions, I work on my own using the tools and advice provided by my trainer. When I return the following week, I tell her what is working, and where my challenges remain. She keeps me on the track towards improvement so that I can accomplish the goals I set for myself.
Comfort Zones. We push you outside of your comfort zones. For example, I have terrible lung capacity. This is one of the basics of proper swimming so my trainer has made me go back to “blowing bubbles” to learn the proper breathing method. The first thing I do when I get in the pool is I put my head under water and exhale for seven seconds. I then stick my head out of the water and inhale deeply. I do five sets of these. Frankly, it can be embarrassing with all the other people swimming laps around me. However, this is the best way for me to learn controlled breathing as well as helping me improve my lung capacity. If left to my own devices, I might forgo this important step. My trainer will not let me.
Limited engagement. I am working with my trainer on an eight week basis. In that time, I plan on improving my stroke to the point that I can efficiently swim laps. I have a short term goal and an end-point. Does that mean I will have the perfect stroke after eight weeks? Of course not, there is always room for improvement. The point is that a trainer is good for kicking you in the rear to get you to move forward (as is a coach). A trainer provides you with the tools and motivation so that you can start your path to improvement. But in the end, you are the one that will have to use those tools and motivate yourself.
This is not to say that you must stop seeing the trainer (or coach). If you find that you want to work on different goals or need a refresher, the trainer is there to help. The hard work is left to you. But it is worth it!
Contact me for complimentary 30 minute session to find out how a coach can help you!
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