There aren’t many resources out there that tell new(ish) fitness pros what it actually takes to succeed in this industry. I figured I’d share my two cents. I’m keeping this as professional as I can.
Credit where it’s due: Alwyn Cosgrove wrote one of the best fat-loss articles I’ve ever read—The Hierarchy of Fat Loss—from back in 2007. It’s still a reference I return to, and it inspired this piece. Just like fat loss, there’s a hierarchy of skills and priorities if you want to avoid “sucking” at this and build real success. And no, the cutest cat in existence isn’t on the list.
Every morning I sit on the living room floor to eat my eggs, watch the news, and catch up on emails. Dagny keeps me company. It’s not essential, but it doesn’t hurt.
These days it’s easy to think all you need to be successful in fitness is a YouTube channel, a collage of yoga pants, or a flashy self-promotional title. If not, you’re welcome to call yourself something other than those. I get that online fame is tempting, and yes, some articles about fitness celebrities are worth reading. The reality is: I don’t have a million followers, you don’t either, and we both want one. Writing a snarky post on social media won’t help anyone, so let me offer something more constructive.
HIERARCHY OF SKILLZ
A few years ago, we started an intern program at Cressey Sports Performance. When asked what they wanted to learn, interns often clamored for advanced topics—assessment, PRI, or why my playlist was supposedly better than Eric’s. Yet many couldn’t name the muscles that upwardly rotate the scapulae or coach a proper squat. Some weren’t comfortable taking the lead on coaching someone in the gym. It goes against what many young coaches think, but Instagramming a deadlift won’t land you in Men’s Health. You’ll have to build career capital the old-fashioned way.
I’ll outline the hierarchy more fully, then share an unfiltered view of the path forward.
1. People Skills
Sure, online coaching is popular, but have you lined up your client sources? Do you have payment processes, scheduling, and bookkeeping in place? What about programming, software, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins? How much access will clients have to you, and are you ready to respond to emails around the clock? You may enjoy working from home or a café, but online coaching can be more of a hassle than people expect. Many who do well with it built a foundation coaching people in person first.
A practical tip I often give—spend at least two years working in a commercial gym. I did five; Eric Cressey did four; Mike Robertson did a stint too. You’re not above it, and you’re not that special. This broad experience exposes you to a wide range of clients and allows you to learn how to work with people from different backgrounds and ability levels—crucial for coaching in both real life and online.
2. Anatomy
You don’t need to be a walking anatomy textbook, but you should know the basics: the major rotator cuff muscles, what the rectus abdominis does, and how anatomy translates to movement. Functional anatomy matters, too—understanding that stiffness isn’t always bad, and recognizing how certain positions affect movement. If you can’t explain what a given exercise does or why it’s chosen, you’ll struggle to coach effectively.
3. Movement/Exercise Technique/Cueing
Being able to break down technique is essential for effective programming. Context and clear movement breakdowns help your clients connect with what they’re doing. You should be able to cue with external cues rather than getting lost in internal cues. You’ll also need to regress or progress exercises on the fly. No coach is infallible, but being prepared is non-negotiable. At a minimum, you should be able to coach these fundamental movements and adapt to each client’s goals and ability:
– Squat
– Hinge
– Push
– Pull
– Single-leg work
– Carry
– Rotate
And you should be able to keep explanations simple enough that clients don’t feel like you’re speaking Elvish.
4. Nuts & Bolts
This is the core of program design: how you choose exercises, the order, sets, reps, rest, tempo, and progression. A helpful analogy comes from Mike Boyle: think of program design as a kitchen brigade—Chefs, Sous Chefs, and Cooks. Cooks are just starting out; Sous Chefs have 3–4 years of experience; Chefs have 5+ years. The prior categories help you lay the groundwork for truly effective training plans.
5. Continuing Education
Some people get stuck chasing certifications, internships, and seminars. It’s not inherently bad to pursue education, but at some point you must apply what you’ve learned. Read, attend seminars, intern, shadow, and observe. Then get real experience and start using what you’ve learned in the gym.
6. Sales/Building a Brand
Brand building is important, but it isn’t the highest priority early on. Some trainers rush to publish eBooks or push products before they have a stable client base. I didn’t get my first logo or T-shirt until years into my career, and I released my first major product after 15 years. If you focus on the earlier steps in order, you’ll likely attract clients naturally. A story I hear a lot: coaches asking how to grow readership or engagement, only to resist straightforward advice. The truth is simple but not easy: there is no magic pill. Consistency, patience, and hard work deliver results.
I started writing on my site in 2006 and have thousands of posts. If you want better content, stop asking for shortcuts and start practicing. The only way to get better and build a brand is to put in the work.
In the end, the path isn’t flashy, but it’s simple: do the work, help people get results, and stay patient.
