Personal Trainer vs. Fitness Coach
What’s in a name? The fitness industry seems to like the title “personal trainer” to adorn the shirts of those that walk around commercial gyms, however is there a more fitting title for some? Those that have seen my business card know that i have a bias, but i wont state it here. I’ll let legendary Coach Vern Gambetta share his thoughts on the difference between a trainer and a coach…
“Training is paying attention only to the actual workout: manipulation of sets, reps, heart rates, maximum lifts. Coaching, on the other hand, is developing the whole person mentally, physically, and socially. It is working closesly with the athletes to define their goals and TEACH THEM how to achieve their goals. Coaching is a creative process that takes imagination and enthusiasm. Coaching empowers the athlete to take a degree of responsibility for his or her actions.”
– Vern Gambetta (from ‘Athletic Development’)
What would you like? Training or Coaching?
Call me a Holistic Integrated Lifestyle Management Specialist Functional Fitness Coach and Spirit Guide.
I know Tracy Fober the Iron Maven said something along these lines a while back after working with so many Olympic Weightlifting coaches. It’s a great point. While we do use science to back up our claims, it comes down less to numbers and more about the “art of coaching.” It takes a real eye, knowledge and experience to educate and coach someone into perfecting motion.