Ask ten different people what traits make a great or “successful” coach—a strength coach or personal trainer—and you’ll get ten different answers. Here are five traits I believe define a successful coach.
1. A coach who actually coaches
It’s easy to see someone with a big online following and call them a coach, but real coaching happens in the gym. Online presence is valuable, and many coaches do excellent work remotely, reaching more people and getting results. I do both, but I still spend about 15–20 hours a week coaching in person. That time keeps me sharp and grounded in my craft. If you can’t coach a deadlift in person, it’s unlikely you’ll coach it well over a Wi‑Fi connection. And if I’m going to write about training, I should be practicing what I preach.
2. Embrace your coaching style
I find it amusing when others watch me coach and realize I’m fairly laid back. I’ll get energized and raise the tempo when it’s needed, but mostly I’m calm. We’re all a mix of introvert and extrovert; no one is purely one or the other. Introverts are often unfairly labeled as aloof, but they can be excellent coaches: they listen well, are patient, and help athletes think clearly. If you tend toward introversion, own it, adapt when needed, and use your strengths to support your athletes.
3. Pull coaching vs. push coaching
Many experts advocate using external cues rather than internal cues, especially for beginners or intermediates. Internal cues focus on specific body actions; external cues focus on intent, distance, or an action. For example:
– Deadlift: Internal cue “Chest up” vs. External cue “Show me the logo on your shirt.”
– Squat: Internal “Knees out” vs. External “Spread the floor.”
– Bench press: Internal “Arch your back” vs. External “Meet the bar halfway.”
– Sprinting: Internal “Extend your hip” vs. External “Push the ground away.”
External cues tend to help lifters feel and maintain the correct action better. I like the idea of “pull coaching” vs. “push coaching.” Pull coaching means helping someone solve their own problems—listening, asking questions, paraphrasing, offering options. Push coaching means giving direct instructions. Both have their place, but we should favor the former to empower athletes to become more autonomous. Teach them when to add weight, when to back off, how to adapt if equipment is limited, and why certain movements may not be necessary. And yes, if you’re looking for a quick aside, remember to watch Beef on Netflix.
4. Insatiable desire to get better
Top coaches continually seek growth. Dan John attends workshops, Mike Boyle stays active in events, Ali Gilbert learns, and Eric Cressey reads actively. They’re seasoned, yet they keep learning. So should you. Ask yourself who you’re learning from and whether you’re open to new ideas instead of assuming you’ve got it all figured out.
5. Let’s stop with the “grinding” and “hustling”
The online grind has become overblown. It’s fine to work hard and sacrifice, but don’t pretend that waking up before dawn or avoiding certain foods makes you superior. Real grinding isn’t enduring life‑or‑death hardship; it’s about balance. There’s a limit to how many hours you can be an effective coach in a week, and burnout is real. Find a healthy rhythm that sustains both quality coaching and your well‑being.
