Do You Need a Coach?

Who needs a coach? Maybe you! Coaches aren't just for Olympic hopefuls and elite high school athletes seeking scholarships; they're also available to help everyone from competitive masters athletes to weekend warriors trying to outpace their cycling group and everyone in between.

I recently joined a masters (read: adult, generally 30 and over) swim class at a gym near my home because, while I've always been a strong swimmer, I haven't taken a lesson since I was in preschool and thought it would be fun to see what I could improve upon. As it turned out, I have plenty to work on, but in just a couple of months, I've seen an enormous difference. Am I going to be the next Dara Torres? Probably not (OK, certainly not), but I definitely feel like I'll have a real edge for my next triathlon.

After seeing what a coach was able to do for me, I wanted to learn more about the benefits of hiring one, so I talked to Adam Duvendeck, two-time Olympian, track cycling specialist and co-founder of Momentum Coaching Group in Long Beach, Calif.

He confirmed my suspicions that coaching groups can make a real difference for just about anybody. "I think anyone with any type of goal, or even if they're having a hard time figuring out what to do in terms of creating goals, can really benefit from a coach," Duvendeck said. "It's for anyone who wants to excel in any way. It doesn't mean they have to become an Olympian -- there are so many different goals, like weight loss or just satisfaction at improving."

While Duvendeck sees a wide variety in his clientele, masters athletes in the 30- to 50-year-old range are the most common. "They take their hobby very seriously," Duvendeck said. As well they should -- there are still opportunities to compete at the regional, national and world levels as a masters athlete.

His clients' previous experience is also varied. "Either they did [this sport] when they were younger and have renewed their interest or didn't pick [it] up until much later in life," he said. "They just want to go until they know they've reached their physical peak." How many of us can identify with that feeling?

If you're seeking a coach for your sport of choice, there are a number of things to consider while you shop around (and you should shop around, according to Duvendeck). First figure out exactly what you want out of a coach. Do you want to make your Olympic dreams come true or are you hoping to not come in last in your age group at the next local 5k? Both are great goals, but if you're a beginner, you probably don't need to pay for an Olympic-level coach, Duvendeck said. However, if you're looking to train at an elite level, you probably want someone who has competed at that level and knows what it takes to get there. Certification and accreditation in your particular sport are also important.

Similarly, your experience level will dictate exactly what kind of coaching you need. An experienced cyclist can benefit greatly from online coaching. Using specialized training programs, a coach in another state can provide a workout for the athlete, who can download it, record his data during the workout, and send that back to the coach in order to determine how to improve the workout and his skill level. In that case, proximity isn't really important.

However, a cycling newbie needs a coach she can go riding with once or twice a week until she gets her technique down and should seek out a local coach.

Pricing depends on a variety of factors but generally has a lot to do with the level of communication and level of experience. Duvendeck said that the low end will generally be $180 to $200 per month, but you can pay more than $1,000 a month for elite-level training. Of course, this could be a bit different depending on your area -- yet another reason to shop around.

So what do you think? Do you need a coach? If your goals include getting better at your sport, the answer might just be yes. But if your goals are more focused on weight loss and generally becoming more athletic, perhaps a personal trainer is a better option for you.