Looking for a Coach

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Many of us know about personal trainers. If you want to get fit someone will tell you to get a personal trainer. What many people don’t know is if you’re into endurance sports (long distance running, cycling, triathlon etc.) you can hire a coach much like you would a personal trainer.

An endurance coach works much like a personal trainer except their area of expertise is endurance athletics. A coach can work one on one or with small groups to help you achieve personal bests in whatever sport you’re competing in. A coach can meet face to face or can do most of their coaching online through email and a variety of other different tools such as www.workoutlog.com.

Many people don’t feel the need for a coach and if you’re a recreational athlete who trains just to stay healthy this might be the case. I’ve had a number of athletes come to me stating that they were training six, eight sometimes twelve hours a week and not seeing the results they wanted. A look at their training log (and if you don’t keep one you’re making a huge mistake) often reveals why. The problem with self-training is that you don’t often look at that ‘why’ and address it. You keep doing the same thing you’ve always done.

If you want to truly be competitive having that outside observer who can look at your bulk of training, make assessments and pinpoint weaknesses and stregnth is something you may want to consider.

Mike Babbitt, M.F.A, M.A., CSCS, ACSM-HFI

USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach, Master Trainer

Mike is a Master Level trainer at Empower Personal Training. He has a unique approach to fitness that combines his scientific foundation of research and applied exercise physiology with his artistic experience as a professional stage actor. For more information about Empower Personal Training please call (919) 401-8024

Client Spotlight: George Livanos

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George is a Financial Advisor who came to Empower Personal Training to establish habits in order to live a long and healthy life. He trains three times per week with his trainer, Michael Whitehurst, and two or three times by himself.

We asked George how he achieved his training goals and he replied “It took me awhile to see the light, but once I realized that it is not just about what you do with your trainer, rather what you do in total, especially when not in the studio, did I realize my goals. Diet is so important. I’m not saying you have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods and drinks, just limit them.”

As far as results, George has seen a 15% decrease in body weight, decreased body fat, improved flexibility, lowered blood pressure, improved cardiovascular endurance, and improved core strength. He says he definitely has more energy, feels young again, and when asked if he feels more confident he replied “sometimes too confident!”

Finally we asked George if he has any advice to others that are interested in attaining specific health and fitness goals and here is his response: “Sure do. Throw the idea of losing weight out the door with the crazy diets. Slowly build a solid foundation of proper diet and exercise. The rest will follow as you improve on your results.”

Great job George and keep up the good work!