This is 100% a no-bullshit post. If you get offended easily, this isn't for you.. but if you're cool with that, then I strongly encourage you to keep reading.
1. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you don't genuinely CARE about your clients & deep down aren't in this for the right reasons- they will sense that. People aren't dumb & they will pick up on it.
2. Your workout is NOT more important than your members.
If it's open gym or your just dropping into a class that your not coaching at, however someone asks you for help- STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND HELP THEM.
You NEED to care more about the athletes in that gym moving faster, moving better, moving safer & improving, than if you beat your old Fran time. If you started coaching so you can workout all the time, you're in the wrong field.
3. Know your shit, but keep your explanations simple.
There is no doubt that we need to professionalize this industry & that comes down to the trainers/coaches truly knowing their stuff when it comes to nutrition, training, recovery, movement patterns, etc.
There's enough "trainers" out there giving terrible advice, not watching their clients or simply being a cheerleader/rep counter- don't be one of them.
With that being said, you don't need to tell your client that- "They need to externally rotate their knees because their knees are internally rotating at the bottom of their squat due to their femurs. So stay in your heels so you activate your posterior chain."
.... What in the world?
If I was your client I would look at you like you had 5 heads if you said that to me.
HOWEVER- Should you know all of that? Absolutely.
But what should you tell your client? Drive your knees out.
Keep it simple.
4. Constantly put yourself outside of your comfort zone and continue your education.
Sign up for clinics, courses, read books, seek mentorship and guidance from coaches with more experience than you. The only way to grow your knowledge base is to surround yourself with professionals that are different from your own coaching style & learn from them.
5. BE OPEN AND RESPONSIVE TO CRITICISM.
I absolutely love when I get feedback from the owners/head coach, why? Because it means that I can improve. The goal should always be to give the members the best experience possible and only way to do that is to fix your mistakes & improve from them!
6. Go the extra mile & take initiative.
I don't care if it's "not your job"- it is now. Sweep & mop the floor if it's dirty. Organize the kettlebells. Scrub the bars down. Make sure all the equipment is facing the right direction. Take out the trash.
Just because your only a coach doesn't mean you should treat the gym with the same amount of care & love as if you were the owner.