Would You Make a Better Trainer or Coach?
Do you classify yourself as a trainer or a coach? Or, are you both? Does it matter? Although there are different definitions of a “coach” and a “trainer” we have simplified it here for demonstration purposes.
A coach is someone who…
supports their client’s efforts and goals through questioning, motivational interviewing, understanding resources, evaluating support systems, creating timelines, offering feedback, and showing compassion. There are many variables of these strategies based on the client and the type of coaching being provided.
A trainer is someone who…
helps their clients reach their goals by providing scientifically-based principles and techniques to achieve a very specific outcome, i.e. Lose 10 pounds of fat in 10 weeks. Although there is also inquiry and “support” as there is in coaching, the main focus is on the application of specific principles and methodologies to achieve the life, health, business or sports goal.
Why will you want to master both skills?
In short, one is just not enough.
We have seen many health and wellness coaches have great success with their clients, and then want to help them further by designing a fitness program for them.
However, they don’t yet have the skills to do so effectively. They would need to become a Certified Personal Fitness trainers to gain the skills needed to match their expertise in health and wellness coaching.
If you are a health and wellness coach, imagine a personal trainer trying to do your job without your skills. It just doesn’t work well.
Now, just think about how complementary and helpful it would be to have both types of skills and professional credentials.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE: If you offer Speed, Agility and Quickness Training, you know that mental toughness and focus are critical to your athlete’s success. But, what are you doing to help them? Do you really understand the various motivational strategies? Do you know how to reduce distraction? Do you have a grasp of the mind’s role in injury recovery? You would understand all this, and much more, as a Certified Sports Psychology Coach.
And, you would also be far more appealing to new clients as well.
If you are a yoga instructor, you know how it integrates perfectly with stress management, holistic life coaching, and mind-body fitness.
Yet, do you know how to integrate a well-designed mind-body approach to health and fitness with aspects of stress management?
There is much more to it than you may first think. When you integrate your skills, knowledge, and certifications properly, your whole career takes a huge step forward.
As you go through all the courses we offer you, you will see more and more logical and needed connections between the training and coaching options.
This is what makes NESTA and the Spencer Institute so different than other associations that have limited offerings (and a much higher price point).
We thank you for trusting us with your education, certification and career development and goals.
Thanks for reading!
Getting Started
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
The NESTA/Spencer Institute Team