Is Hiring a Running Coach Worth It?

Running is one of the most common sports and exercise activities. Some people run for the workout it provides. They have a goal to lose weight, for instance, and running helps them achieve it. Others like to compete in running events. So, they follow a training cycle that helps prepare them for race day. 

Whatever your reason for running, you may be wondering whether you should hire a running coach. Is it really worth it? Before we answer this question, let’s look at what this type of fitness coach does and why people typically hire them.

What a Running Coach Does

A fitness coach, in general, creates a training plan designed to help clients reach a specific goal. If the client wants to build muscle mass, for instance, their program will likely focus on strength training exercises. If they are an athlete, their training plan would include exercises designed to boost the skills they need on the court or field.

A running coach does these same things. They devise a running program that helps the client achieve their running goal. And they ensure that this program is in line with the client’s fitness level and physical abilities. This gives the client the greatest chance at running success.

Reasons People Hire a Running Coach

One reason people hire this type of coach is if they are training for a running event. They’ve signed up for their first marathon or half marathon and are unsure how to prepare. Or they are an elite athlete who has completed several running events and want to improve their speed or time. They have a running goal and need a coach who can help them achieve it.

Another reason people hire a running coach is injury prevention. If you’ve ever felt pain in your ankles, knees, or back while running, you know that this can keep you from training regularly. A running coach knows how to avoid these pains, also reducing the development of a potential injury. 

In some cases, this is accomplished by making sure the runner uses the proper form. It might also involve strength training certain muscles to support healthy body movement. Depending on your situation, a running coach may suggest taking more days off from training. This gives the muscles more time to heal, preventing an overuse injury.

Is Hiring a Running Coach Worth It?

Even if you see the value of an effective training program that also aids in injury prevention, you may still be on the fence as to whether to hire a coach. This requires deciding whether doing so is worth it to you. Here are a few factors to consider:

• A running coach will help keep you motivated. Unless you absolutely love running, you may find it hard to stick to this type of training. A good running coach will keep your motivation stoked. They will push you to show up for and complete each workout. They will also remind you why you want to be a runner. This helps build the intrinsic motivation needed to adhere to your training program.

• A running coach will hold you accountable. It’s easy to come up with excuses to not show up for your running workout. You’re tired. You have other things to do. You just don’t feel like it. A good coach won’t accept invalid excuses for not sticking to your training. Instead, they will hold you accountable. They reinforce the steps needed to hit your goals. 

• A running coach can help you set a realistic goal. Speaking of goals, a running coach can help you set a goal that you have a chance of hitting. If you’ve never been a runner, setting a goal to complete a marathon 30 days from now is likely too lofty. (It may even be too much for an athlete who doesn’t do a lot of running.) A running coach considers your fitness level and physical capabilities. This information can then be used to set goals that you can continue to work toward without risking injury.

• This type of coach can separate running fact and fiction. Is it true that you need a certain body type to be a runner? Should you stretch before you run? What about barefoot running—is it a no or a go? A running coach can answer all of these questions, clearing up any misconceptions you may have about this sport.

Who Might Benefit from Running Coaching

Certainly, not everyone would benefit from hiring a running coach. If you have no interest in this physical activity, for instance, you wouldn’t hire a coach that specializes in running. So, who might a running coach help?

If you are a recreational runner, hiring a coach can keep you progressing. The coach can work to set regular goals, then devise programs to help you hit them. A running coach can also help you stay injury-free in the process. 

Coaching is also beneficial for people who want to compete in long run events. A coach can prescribe half marathon and marathon training programs, for instance. They can also teach you the ins and outs of event success. 

If you are an experienced runner or elite runner and want to improve your speed or time, a coach knows the techniques that will get you there. Through coaching, you can become a stronger, faster runner. It may even help you become a more elite athlete as Outside reports that Olympic-level runners often rely on coaches to get in top shape.

What to Look for in an In-Person or Online Running Coach

Once you’ve decided to hire a running coach, the next step is to find the right coach for you. Here are a few things to look for when conducting your search.

• A qualified coach. Anyone can call themselves a coach. Take the time to look at the person's training and experience. Make sure they are qualified to give you both safe and effective running advice. 

• A certified coach. A certified running coach has passed an exam by a trustworthy fitness agency. This proves that they have a certain level of knowledge about the sport of running. It also says that they were willing to go the extra mile to ensure that they have the latest and greatest running information.

• A coach who offers your preferred type of training. Do you want one-on-one training? A personal coach can provide an individualized training plan. More interested in joining a group? Look for a coach that leads a running club or other group running activities. Also consider whether the trainer is available in-person or online. Some people are more motivated by an in-person coach. Others prefer an online running coach because they aren’t limited by geography.

• A run coach who is a good fit for you. Different coaches have different training styles. Look for a coach who trains the way that you want. Take the time to speak with them beforehand and ask about their training methods. Consider what you find motivating and choose a coach who uses those techniques.

• A coach experienced with your running event. Are you hiring a coach because you want to run the Boston Marathon or Chicago Marathon? Look for someone who has experience with that event. Ask other runners who they’ve trained with in the past. Every race is a little different so a coach who is familiar with that event can give you information specific to it.

Fitness Trainers: Why You Should Become a Running Coach

If you are a personal trainer, you may want to consider becoming a running coach. This enables you to help clients interested in this physical activity. You can help them reach their running goals. It also helps you stand out from other coaches who don’t offer this type of training.

As a running coach, you can also help your clients correct pain often caused by running. Maybe they have runner’s knee, for instance. As their coach, you can work with the client to correct the cause of this often-painful issue. This might involve suggesting strength training exercises to build the muscles that support the knee area. It would also likely include cross training to give the knee a break. 

Follow your passion and expand your career. Become a running coach with ISSA. You’ll learn how to develop programming for runners of all abilities and how to prevent and manage running injuries. Get started now!

References

How 6 Coaches Trained Their Runners to Make the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team. Outside Online. (2020). Retrieved 29 June 2022, from https://www.outsideonline.com/health/running/training-advice/marathon/how-6-coaches-trained-their-runners-to-make-the-u-s-olympic-marathon-team/.