by Stella Kamba

Are you about to start a new training programme with a new coach? Making the most of your time together can take your training and wellbeing to a whole new level. Below are a few ideas.

• Start with a modest goal

Start with one modest goal, crush it and then set a new, more ambitious goal. This will boost your confidence. Not saying you can’t set your goals high, but when hiring a coach for the first time, it is safer to test the waters with a manageable goal you can achieve in less than a year.

• Schedule time to catch up properly

Schedule time to catch up with your coach outside of your sessions. A 30-minute catch-up every week or two - in person or over zoom - will go a long way towards getting to know one another. This is a good time to talk about what is working and what isn’t, discuss goals and progress. As a result, you will have more focused and more productive sessions.

• Clarify your boundaries

Good relationships have clear boundaries. Your coach won’t challenge them, if you state them from the beginning. I had a client once who didn’t want to lift weights, so we did a bodyweight programme which worked them really hard.

• Share your struggles

It is quite common for clients to present a better picture than what they are actually facing, particularly when it comes to food. But remember that you want your coach to understand you as much as possible and being open and honest is the way. (Don’t worry about surprising them, there’s literally nothing they haven’t heard before!) This will help you both problem-solve and find solutions. 

• Ask questions

Everything coaches do is for a reason, but they may not necessarily explain it to you. Ask them about each exercise, the whole programme, as well as their preferences and experience. This is how you’ll learn.

• Be prepared to answer questions

A coach wants to know you as much as possible, so they can design sessions you will love. They will also change the programme over time, so it stays challenging. Be prepared to share your goals, dreams, aspirations, likes, dislikes etc. 

• If in doubt, overcommunicate

Just like in any other working relationship, it is better to err on the side of more communication. A challenging time at work, a personal challenge, or just a few bad days are all worth discussing in more detail. It will take some of the pressure off your chest, and your coach may have some great ideas for you to try.

In conclusion….

Look after your relationship with your coach by communicating well and you’ll have an incredible journey of growth and transformation.

Is there anything you’d like to know more about? Let me know in the comments.