Will a coach really make a difference for me?

Most people don’t think twice about getting a lawyer for legal matters, an accountant to do their taxes or a mechanic to work on their cars.  So why not hire and expert in cycling to help with your performance on the bike. 

I hear of bike riders spending $2-3,000 for a new lighter bike and when you ask them why they want it, the answer is usually the same – to get better or be faster.  A new bike is nice, and it usually motives you to ride, but it will not make you faster.  If you want to get faster, hiring a coach will make you much faster in a shorter time than any piece of equipment you can buy.

I met an athlete that was trying to ride with a group and couldn’t keep up.  So what did he do, he bought a HR monitor because everyone was riding with one (and they were looking at it).  A couple of months later, he got an LT test done.  Now he had his training zones, but he didn’t know how much time to spend in the training zones.  His rides were the same as before he had the HR monitor and the training zones – all out hammer fests.  He finally decided to get a coach and within one year, he went from middle/back of the pack to placing top 3 overall in the state series. 

Hiring a coach is always an afterthought, but if you really look at the possibilities, it should be one of the first things you do when you start cycling. 

So what can a coach do for you?  Well, for starters he/she can provide:

Customization:  Most coaches, if not all, provide you a customized training plan based on your goals, priorities and your day to day life.
Feedback:  Coaches provide honest and objective feedback.  Sometimes you won’t like it.
Motivation:  A good coach can motive by focusing the rider on goals, not just results.
Testing:  Coaches generally will provide testing which will allow the rider to see the improvement in their performance.
Advice:  You will get riding, equipment and racing advice.

When looking for a coach you want to make sure it fits your needs.  Things to consider include:

• Price (what do you get for the price)
• Availability (restrictions on phone calls/emails)
• Personality (make sure you’re both compatible)
• Coaching Philosophy
• Commitment (1, 3, 6 or 12 months)

Would you like to see what Coach Art can do for you? If you're serious about getting faster, visit his website at www.bajatrainingsystems.com and find out more.

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