10 Reasons for getting a coach

Are you thinking of getting a coach? Well, here is 10 reasons to show the big advantages which can help you on the way to smashing your goals.

1. Structure

Arguably structure is the most common reason for getting a coach and it is the biggest stumbling block for those who don’t have one. There are many components which need to be considered for you to reach your goal, factors like availability to train, time left before your target event, training cycles, how long your build should be, the list goes on. This can make the whole process very stressful and confusing. Coaches can help you manage all of this and relieve the pressure that self-coaching puts on you.

2. Motivation & Inspiration

Struggling for motivation through the winter? Starting to work with a coach can help you get that little extra to smash every training session. The coach also provides accountability, knowing that someone is watching over your training can help you get that little bit of extra motivation to complete the session as best you can. If you are finding it hard to stick to the plan a coach can be the best way forward for you.

3. Provide knowledge

The coach can pass on knowledge and experience that they will have gained through both personal experiences and situations they have encountered as a coach and a rider. This can provide you with access to expertise which will help to get the best from training by giving you tips and advice. The coach can also help with race tactics and advice to prepare you for events to give you the best chance for success.

4. Time management for a time crunched cyclist

Let’s face it, most cyclists don’t have the luxury of being able to ride bikes all day like the pros. So, making best use of the time that we do have is crucial. Coaches can help you recognise time availability to construct your training to be specific to work on your strengths and weaknesses to bring you to your target event in the best possible shape.

5. Relieve pressure to think about training

The hardest thing about being self-coached, having to think about what training you are doing, how long for, what efforts to do, when to do it and how to taper. It can all become very overwhelming and for most, leads to endless trawling through the internet trying to find the best articles to help you understand. The only thing that you need do when being coached is listen, ride and achieve all your sporting goals.

6. Support

Having someone to turn to for advice and help when you encounter a stumbling block makes this one of the best reasons to get a coach. Having someone to talk things through with and give advice can make a big difference, especially when it’s likely they will have dealt with the same problem themselves.

7. Objectivity

Having a qualified and experienced perspective which is coming in from the outside can help diagnose problems in performance such as a plateau in fitness which you may have found difficult to determine the problem yourself.

A coach’s prospective can help to identify different training patterns or areas which can be improved and recognise issues that may be overlooked by the athletes.

8. Personalised

Quite simply put, how can you expect to improve if you are doing generic training plans which aren’t catered for your needs and demands and don’t address your own strengths and weaknesses? The coach can help make sure that training is optimised specifically with the aim of meeting your own goals and targets.

9. Reassurance

Cycling has its many ups and downs, so it’s important that there is someone there to reassure and keep the motivation up when the going gets tough. When things aren’t going well, the coach is always there to identity, explain and help resolve the issues to get you back to your best.

10. Experience and advice

More often than not your coach will have been through and done what you are going through and be able to provide a plethora of experience to in turn, help you get through it. This also allows the coach to help you plan and employ the best possible strategies and techniques whatever the situation.