I’m trying to figure out if I should hire a good coach to help me achieve my triathlon goals. So far, I’ve been struggling on my own, but I have no idea how much coaches charge. Here’s what I’m looking for in a coach:
someone to go over my past training and racing, review my future goals and come up with an overall training strategy for me (this is perhaps a yearly thing only)
someone to create a weekly training schedule
someone I can e-mail on an occasional basis when I have questions; I don’t expect more than a few e-mails a month
perhaps someone that will follow-up with me on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to see how I’m doing
someone who cares about me meeting my goals and will give me a bit of a push when I need it
The thing is, triathlon is way down on my list of priorities. It’s important to me, but it comes way after family and work. If something comes up with that, then my training is skipped. I know that’s not conducive to success in many cases, but that’s my life and I’m not willing to change it. Given that, I still want to do the best I can within my limitations.
Can you give me an idea of what I should expect to pay for a good coach? I’m of the opinion that you get what you pay for, so I want to see if I can afford the kind of help that I think I need.
Check this site. This is Desertdude on ST, he lists his prices and different options. It will give you a place to start. Also Brian is good about answering an occasional off the cuff question.
Triathlon | Duathlon: Sport Program: $109 for twelve weeks
A twelve-week training program geared for those who are new to triathlon or duathlon, or need an outline to build their training around. This schedule is preplanned for twelve weeks and designed to bring you to a higher level of fitness. This program includes 2 weekly emails the first week and one per week after that to your coach to answer any questions concerning the specified workouts.
Elite Program: $125 per cycle, $75 start up fee three month minimal commitment
This program is for the athlete who needs individualized planning, more communication with their coach, and is designed specifically for you. You four week training program includes workouts designed to increase your endurance, strength and speed while fitting into your lifestyle. This program includes unlimited email contact and one initial phone call to discuss program design.
Pro Program: $90 per two week cycle, $75 start up fee three month minimal commitment
This program includes everything the Elite program offers and is for those athletes who desire take their training and racing to the next level. This program is designed in two-week cycles. Unlimited email is included, as well as one athlete initiated phone call per two week block to maximize your training progress.
I know of some good coaches with who you do not have to budget…
I can think of 3 who will do all the points mentioned and more for around $100 a month…
Excuse me for sounding like a jerk, but do you really need someone to do this for you? I’ve gone round-and-round on the issue of getting a coach and I just can’t seem to justify the expense. Mind you, I’m a bit of a spendthrift, so it doesn’t take much to get me to buy something but online coaching seems like a shame.
Is creating a weekly schedule that hard? Could you tell a good schedule from a bad one?
Can’t you ask for training help on this and other fora?
Don’t your friends and family encourage you?
I can understand joining masters, a running club, group rides and whatnot because at least then people can have a look at you. I mean, what’s the point of paying for a swim workout from an online coach, if your form sucks?
Okay, end of rant. Sorry to be so negative. Maybe you can help change my mind.
Nick, “linguica” is a kind of smoked sausage from the south of Portugal. LTin83 is just making a joke with it. Of course there isn’t such a thing as “Team Linguica”
You bring up some really good points, so thanks for the post. Creating a weekly schedule really isn’t that hard, so why haven’t I? It probably just comes down to laziness on my part. I tend to train really well for 3 months at a time and then nothing for 6 or 8 weeks. I really need to train more consistently, even if I have to back down to just a few hours a week. I’m constantly finding that I need to train just to get back to the level that I used to be at (which wasn’t all that fast to begin with!). I’m thinking that if I have a training schedule every week that I’m paying for, perhaps I’ll train a little more consistently. Maybe it’s not a good way to find motivation, but I’m getting desperate!!!
I have a coach who is less than most. For it I get two weeks of work outs at a time, unlimited email contact, and if I want to call him I can. I like not having to wory about a work out schedule and also having some else do that. But more importantly I always struggled with when to do speed workouts and what type and having focused workouts as opposed to simply riding my bike for an hour.
" I mean, what’s the point of paying for a swim workout from an online coach, if your form sucks?"
That assumes all coaches are online.
It sure does and most of the folks selling coaching services are selling “online services” which makes sense given that this approach allows one to reach way more customers. But I get a sense that there’s some snake oil peddling going on here. I’m reminded of something my wife often says regarding modern art: If I can do it, it’s not art.
Now, I should point out that I’m not adverse to buying services. For example, I just bought an e-book from Arnie Baker to learn how to train for road races. This book will probably never be published in dead-trees form as it has such limited appeal but it is choke full of great information. I’d also give money to sit at the feet of Dr. Andrew Coggan. I think men like deserve my business as they provide me the raw materials I need to reason about my training.
I think too many coaches present what they do as some kind secret art that only a select few have knowledge of. What else would account for the prices they are asking. Geesh.
Wow, that was a big response to 6 little words. Anyway, I have a coach. A live and in person, flesh and blood, makes me laugh in the pool and nearly drown coach. He’s great and affordable and has helped me achieve goals and raise the bar for myself. There are some really good online coaches as well. I would love to be able to afford Scott Molina. Of course we all know who he is, so its not a blind trust with an email contact. There are others with good credentials as well. Wes Hobson for example. I’ve been to one of Wes’ trainig camps and it was awesome. So a coach my not be a necessity to you, but to many (including myself) they are a great help both physically and mentally, therefore not a waste of money. Its all very personal…kj
If you are in the South Austin, TX area, a great triathlon program can be found at www.austint3.com The triathlon program is in the low $100 range and includes 2 coached workouts a day. Really a great deal considering the service you get from these 2 coaches.
I, like you, want to do my best given my life situation and I can honestly tell you being coached is making a huge difference in getting results.
Having the services of a coach on board has helped me focus more on getting the most of my workouts and has taken the guesswork out of correctly scheduling sessions at the right pace, duration, etc. Being able to contact a coach whenever needed is key to develop a really good relationship as well as achieving goals. Like you mention, make sure they have interest in you meeting your goals. Finally, I guess I would say look for a coach from whom you can learn.
In case you are interested, my coach is Francois, and he charges $80/month. He does everything you are looking for and more. You should not have to pay the ridiculous amounts some coaching outfits feel they can charge for similar services.
Feel free to PM me if you’d like more ‘insider info’
