What’s the Difference Between a Fitness Trainer & a Fitness Coach?
Maybe in your pursuit of a career as a fitness trainer, you’ve run across the term “fitness coach.” If so, you might have wondered if this is just a fancier name for a trainer–or is it something entirely different?
Well–it’s not entirely different, but there are some subtle differences between the fitness coach and trainer. You already know what a trainer is, so let’s look at what a coach is, and then consider how it differs from the fitness trainer.
Fitness coaching is something of a guided, ongoing conversation between you and the fitness coach. This conversation also involves certain fitness processes. So far, it sounds similar to a trainer, right? Let’s delve deeper. A trainer is certified and trained to create and implement a specific workout program for the client. He assesses the client’s physical abilities, takes note of your limitations, and then centers your workout program around those extremes. He also helps his client create and work on his own personal fitness goals. The trainer makes sure the person is performing his routine as perfectly as possible.
When the trainer steps out beyond these parameters, he steps into the world of personal coaching. The coach’s function is to educate a client’s mind about fitness and inspire the heart. He imparts health-related wisdom to the person and keeps him accountable. It’s the coach’s role to question the client, to make sure he’s following the coach’s guidelines, and to motivate him to do so. He wants to modify the person’s behavior and inspire him to move beyond what he had thought his limitations were.
In essence, the personal coach acts as more of a mentor to the client. He helps him to both develop a personal fitness strategy and motivates the client to stay with it; the trainer simply helps the person develop the right tactics which will help him reach his goal.
The fact that there is a subtle difference between trainer and coach does not mean that you have to choose one or the other for your career. In fact, many people aren’t aware of the distinction. In fact, you might do well to call yourself a “trainer,” while still delving into the coaching arena. More than ever, people want that mentoring relationship with their trainer that actually characterizes the personal coach. It’s a way to build positive buzz for your business.
On the other hand, those who promote themselves as a coach usually find that they can charge a slightly higher fee than if they’re promoted as a trainer. Either way, there are advantages–and either way, you can become in the fitness field that you love, and make good money doing it.