As a strength coach for over a decade, I’ve learned the craft requires equal parts science and art. Here are some insights from my experience on the key skills any practitioner must continuously develop:

Understanding Physiology and Biomechanics

Through my line of work, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible physiological transformations that strategic training stimuli can produce. However, programs must consider each athlete’s unique structure and capabilities to optimise movements while minimising injury risks. Getting the science right is fundamental to training athletes for optimal performance. Consider a runner who consistently experiences knee pain during training. A strength and conditioning coach with a deep understanding of physiology and biomechanics can analyse the runner’s running form and identify potential biomechanical imbalances that may be contributing to the pain. The coach can then design a training program targeting these imbalances, helping the runner develop more efficient and pain-free movement patterns.

Designing Tailored, Effective Programs

Over the years, I’ve trained hundreds of athletes across various sports. The most vital lesson has been that cookie-cutter programs don’t cut it. There’s no one-size-fits-all regarding S&C. Truly understanding an athlete’s specific goals, weaknesses, and limitations is essential to spurring adaptation through individually tailored plans.

Motivating and Communicating Like a Coach

Imagine a young athlete on the verge of giving up during a gruelling training session. They’re exhausted, discouraged, and questioning their ability to continue. In this moment, a coach’s ability to motivate and communicate effectively can make all the difference. My most rewarding experiences have come from pushing athletes and clients beyond what they thought possible. Coaches must connect and find the right cues to motivate. I’ve realised that empathy, authenticity, sincerity, and a “tough love” mentality at the right moments can make an athlete shine the most. 

Obsessing Over Safety

As a strength and conditioning coach, I firmly believe in the adage, “First, do no harm.” This principle guides every aspect of my training approach, from designing exercise programs to evaluating movement patterns. My primary goal is to help athletes achieve their fitness goals while ensuring their long-term health and well-being.

I remember when I had a client who was eager to progress to more advanced exercises, but I noticed some subtle imbalances in her movement patterns. Instead of rushing into more challenging exercises, I took a step back and focused on correcting these imbalances first. While this may have slowed down her progress in the short term, it ultimately prevented her from sustaining a potentially serious injury. This reinforced my belief that safety does not put an athlete’s journey a step backwards. It’s all about creating a solid foundation to support their athletic success and overall health. 

Continuous Learning and Development

There’s no such thing as too much learning. I make it a point to attend S&C conferences, read up on case studies on strength and conditioning, and experiment with and test new strength techniques and exercises. With the strength and conditioning coaching industry evolving rapidly, falling behind on new information can be detrimental to your coaching.