Reviewed by: Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD
Once you’ve decided you want to work with a health coach, finding the right one involves more than checking off a list of qualifications.
How do you know if you’ve found the right health coach for you? Beyond the obvious qualifications, what are the qualities of a good coach?
We’ve listed some characteristics to look for when choosing a health coach.
Essentially, it all comes down to the “vibe” the two of you have. You should find someone you get along with and trust, someone who truly seems to “get” you and is as invested in your success as you are.
Let’s take a closer look at what this all means.
Why is it important to find a good health coach?
An experienced health coach will serve as personalized guidance.
They will help you achieve your goals with customized advice, motivation, customized nutrition plans and exercise routines designed just for you.
They won’t just give you general or generic advice about diet and exercise. This personalized approach ensures you maximize your potential and get the most out of your fitness journey.
7 Signs You’ve Found a Great Coach
What qualities should a good coach possess?
How do you know you’ve found one?
These seven qualities are by no means an exhaustive list, but they can help you narrow down your choices.
1. They can walk you through their process.
A good health coach should have the skills to clearly explain the steps, strategies, and milestones required for his or her approach.
Not only does this demonstrate their expertise, it also shows that they have a structured process to help you succeed.
More importantly, they should also be able to draw insights from practical experience. Articulate lessons learned from working with other clients like you and demonstrate your understanding of issues or preferences you may have. They’ve proven they know how to handle challenges similar to yours.
2. They can provide references and recommendations.
One sign of a great coach is their willingness to share references and testimonials without hesitation. Transparency not only reflects confidence in their abilities but also emphasizes their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Ideally, these references should come from customers within your audience who have similar goals. For example, if you have a specific injury, good coaches will have recommendations from clients they have worked with in the past who have experienced similar injuries or physical limitations. Good coaches understand the value of real-world feedback and recognize that past client experiences can speak for themselves.
Additionally, the ability to connect with past clients demonstrates the coach’s confidence in the relationships they have developed. If coaches avoid providing testimonials, it raises concerns about their interactions with clients and the impact of coaching.
Testimonials, in particular, can provide insight into the actual benefits that clients experience under the guidance of a coach. Positive reviews not only validate a coach’s skills but also give you an idea of the potential results you can expect.
3. They ask you questions.
A coach’s interest in your story reflects their commitment to your success. They should ask you lots of questions. High-quality coaching relationships are built on understanding, and effective coaches recognize the importance of delving deeply into your unique situation.
A good coach should be truly interested in your “why” rather than simply proposing a prepackaged solution. They should want to understand your motivations, challenges, and specific goals. The questions they ask should help them tailor a coaching plan to your specific preferences and lifestyle.
4. They listen to you.
Another quality of a good coach is the ability to incorporate your ideas and feedback into the coaching process. Remember, this goes both ways, collaborative relation.
Listening goes beyond verbal expression; it involves deciphering the nuances and subtleties in your communication.A good coach can not only adapt What You said but how you say.
The coach’s response to your feedback should create an environment of trust. If you express concerns or suggest changes to the plan, a good coach will listen, understand, and adjust the plan. This flexibility ensures that the coaching process remains dynamic, adapting to your changing needs and circumstances.
5. They communicate openly and frequently.
As we say, transparent and open communication is a two-way street. This element is critical to your success, including how and when you and your coach come into contact.
Effective coaching establishes clear expectations for communication from the beginning. Whether it’s setting up regular check-ins, defining response times, or outlining preferred communication channels, a good coach can provide you with easy and reliable responses. You should feel comfortable reaching out knowing that your coach is willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
6. They take your health into consideration.
Your health isn’t limited to isolated aspects like exercise and nutrition. You’ll know you’ve found a good health coach when your health coach also takes into account your sleep quality, stress levels, past injuries, and exercise experience. They know how these factors work together and influence each other.
For example, understanding your nutritional habits allows a coach to develop a meal plan that improves your current eating habits rather than being unrealistic. Acknowledging past injury or exercise experience can inform exercise procedures that prioritize safety and effectiveness. Consideration of sleep patterns and stress levels further refines the approach, promoting overall well-being.
This holistic, multifaceted view of well-being is called “deep health.” When applying a deep wellness approach, this means you are more likely to develop positive habits that will impact every aspect of your life in the long run.
7. They can adjust your plan to meet your needs.
A good coach will adjust your plan to fit your changing needs as you work toward your goals.
Whether you have specific dietary requirements, time constraints, or workout preferences, a coach will tailor a program to ensure it not only helps you make progress, but also fits seamlessly into your lifestyle and can be adjusted as needed.
Tips for finding a great health coach
Finding a good health coach involves more than just looking for online reviews or asking friends for recommendations (although these are great ways to get started).
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re looking for a health coach.
Determine your goals
Before looking for a coach, take some time to reflect.
Ask yourself why you want to work with a health coach and the specific results you want to achieve.
Whether it’s weight loss, improved health, better sleep, or overall wellness, clear goals can serve as a compass for choosing the right coach.
But it’s okay no Have a specific goal, or if your goal is general, like “I want to get healthier.” Helping you clarify and refine your goals is part of a health coach’s job. They can have a meaningful conversation with you to understand your desires, challenges, and motivations until the two of you work together to develop a tailored plan.
Talk to future health coaches
Once you have identified three to five potential health coaches, take the time to meet one-on-one with each coach.
Prepare a list of questions and talking points to guide these discussions. Your questions should focus on their coaching philosophies, past experiences, success stories, etc. Understanding how their approach aligns with your goals is critical to ensuring you truly “get” each other.
Also pay attention to the coach’s communication style and demeanor during these conversations. Consider whether you feel comfortable and genuinely heard during the conversation.
Day-to-day logistics are also important. As you get to know each coach, ask about their availability, preferred communication channels, and the structure of coaching sessions. This will ensure collaboration is smooth and easy to manage.
Assess “vibe”
At its core, coaching is a relationship-based service, and the personal connection you develop with your coach can profoundly impact your motivation and commitment to your health goals. Positive and supportive connections foster trust and make coaching relationships more enjoyable and effective.
However, realize that there is no “perfect” coach.
Instead, focus on finding a coach who is “good enough” for you—one whose approach matches your preferences and understands your unique situation. While there may be a coach who seems to meet all your criteria on the surface, it’s the less tangible factors like the coach’s personality, communication style, and overall energy that are most important. Trust your instincts and choose a coach with whom you truly connect.
We’re here to help you achieve your goals
Precision Nutrition’s health coaches are experts in their fields. They take the time to understand your behaviors and habits and design a plan that fits your unique goals and lifestyle.
Our coaches don’t just provide you with advice on diet and exercise. They work closely with you so you can learn healthier, sustainable habits that will help you feel better in the long term.
Try our 1:1 coaching program today and get the results you deserve.
