Do Triathletes Need Coaches?
A triathlon is a multisport event that comprises three different disciplines consecutively run in one sequential event. While countless variations of triathlons exist, the most common form involves swimming, cycling, and running. This common triathlon format involving swimming, cycling, and running is the most popular and standardized race type. Professional organizations like Ironman, Super League, and ITU are a few of the popular triathlon platforms.
Triathlons are largely physical activities that will require you to exert effort, endure hours of continuous work, and use up energy. This means that in order to successfully complete a triathlon, your body must be prepared.
Everybody has different reasons for hiring a triathlon coach, and some people may prefer to learn with trial and error, but having a coach can eliminate a lot of those trials so that you have fewer errors in training and racing. Triathlon coaches help their clients structure and develop programs, help takes the guesswork out of a client’s training schedule, and delivers consistent accountability and motivation.
Start by Participating in Triathlons
A great way to get started in triathlons is to join a triathlon club. It’s worth checking to see if you have one locally. Many triathlon clubs cater to beginners and experienced triathletes. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who are willing to share their experiences and advice. As you become more immersed in the world and sport of triathlons, you will see whether or not becoming a triathlon coach is something that would be interesting and you would excel at.
Keep in mind that not every triathlete has the disposition to become a triathlon coach. Coaching is an entirely different beast, and while it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, triathlon coaching is not for everyone. Coaching Triathlon or coaching anything else for that matter is about helping others achieve their goals. If you aren’t truly passionate about helping others then it’s extremely unlikely that you will become a successful triathlon coach.
Triathlon Coaching Education and Certification
Good coaches have been through the ropes. They should be experts in all things triathlon, including swimming, biking, running, racing, nutrition, strength training, exercise science, kinematics, and equipment. Much of what the great triathlon coaches have learned comes from on-the-job experience and in some circles, there is a tendency to dismiss the value of more structured and formal education. Whatever your approach to learning, formal courses can take the guesswork out of prioritizing what skills and techniques you need to spend your time developing.
There are plenty of courses and certifications to help you learn and give you credibility as a triathlon coach. The ITCA Triathlon Coaching course teaches students how to develop effective and safe training programs for all levels of athletes for all types of events.
Regardless of your current coaching level, there should be a triathlon coaching course or certification for you. Along with those official certifications, many industry brands also offer forms of education and certification.
Depending on the approach you want to take there are plenty of resources on and offline to help you develop your knowledge and schools. Finding a good mentor is great but you should also take the time to expand your knowledge and teach yourself. There is a broad range of topics to choose from including biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, physiology, motivation studies, and bike fitting. Many NESTA courses focus on these topics and you can get started by checking out all your options here >>> https://www.nestacertified.com/programs/
More than Training
With the growing popularity of triathlon coaching as a profession, the most successful coaches are the ones that are willing to learn the business and marketing skills required to run any successful business. Although not particularly appealing for many budding triathlon coaches, in reality, business and marketing is a crucial part of becoming a triathlon coach.
When you are just getting started, people don’t know who you are and there isn’t a ready-made audience waiting for your services even though they may well be the best on the market. Trying to get clients might seem daunting by it doesn’t have to be.
There are many ways to market your services, but to start you’ll want to create an online presence with a website and social media channels. Start by signing up for an Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page.
Getting Started
As an ITCA Certified Triathlon Coach, you will enjoy a career helping people reach their personal best in the sport you love. You will have the option of coaching people one-on-one, in a group, online, over the phone, using Skype or Zoom video, in a clinic, at a training camp, or any combination. We even teach you how to have a highly profitable triathlon coaching business.
Check out what it takes to start a career in personal fitness training. This is your most affordable and fastest way to become a highly qualified personal trainer.
Is your recertification coming up? Learn more about earning your CEU credits. You can find the full list of CEU courses here.
If you are ready to start your online personal training or coaching business, don’t forget to learn more about our online coaching course. You will also really enjoy this very comprehensive training course called Online Expert Empire.
There is always something exciting about earning a new training or coaching certification and applying that new knowledge of how you train your clients. This also helps you hit the reset button.
NESTA and Spencer Institute coaching programs are open to anyone with a desire to learn and help others. There are no prerequisites.
That’s it for now.
Take action!
PS: Click here to see many helpful business/career resources
