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Tri coaching survey
BY: byrdnj on 2016-05-04 11:33 AM
Hi all,
I'm working with a fellow triathlete to gauge interest in a more accessible type of endurance sports training. Although it's not exclusively triathlon-focused, I'd love to get some feedback from some fellow BT'ers.
Here's the survey: http://goo.gl/forms/fps2CqyegP
The survey's just a simple google form. I've just done it, and it takes about 3 minutes to complete.
Would you mind? Huge thanks in advance for your input.
Nathan
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Visit my blog: http://nathanbyrd.wordpress.com -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: scott.e.sheridan@gma on 2016-05-04 12:31 PM
Survey done, thanks!
Good luck! -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: byrdnj on 2016-05-04 12:56 PM
Thanks everyone! Nice results flowing in so far.
EARLY FINDINGS:
Seems that most people are struggling with the price point of training, finding coaches in the market quite expensive right now.
FOLLOW UP QUESTION:
I wonder, would you be interested in a longer commitment to the training, for a lower monthly price? I think a lot of coaches fear the 1-month and done athlete when a new-athlete evaluation takes so much effort. Thoughts?
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Visit my blog: http://nathanbyrd.wordpress.com -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: Goggles Pizzano on 2016-05-04 12:59 PM
Originally posted by byrdnj Thanks everyone! Nice results flowing in so far. EARLY FINDINGS: Seems that most people are struggling with the price point of training, finding coaches in the market quite expensive right now. FOLLOW UP QUESTION: I wonder, would you be interested in a longer commitment to the training, for a lower monthly price? I think a lot of coaches fear the 1-month and done athlete when a new-athlete evaluation takes so much effort. Thoughts?Yes, if I was to use a coach I would definitely consider that.
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RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: RedCorvette on 2016-05-04 1:22 PM
Originally posted by byrdnj Thanks everyone! Nice results flowing in so far. EARLY FINDINGS: Seems that most people are struggling with the price point of training, finding coaches in the market quite expensive right now. FOLLOW UP QUESTION: I wonder, would you be interested in a longer commitment to the training, for a lower monthly price? I think a lot of coaches fear the 1-month and done athlete when a new-athlete evaluation takes so much effort. Thoughts?I had a bad experience with my first triathlon coach several years ago when I paid upfront for a race season plan and he failed to live up to his commitments (weekly workouts plans via email, evaluation & feedback on previous week's workouts, not showing up at my races, etc.). Once burned, I'd have a though time making a long-term coaching commitment again.
I currently have a month-to-month no-contract arrangement with my Masters swimming coach. He actually prefers to bill on a monthly basis, rather than offering discounts for longer-term agreements.
Mark
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"It doesn't get easier, you just get faster" Greg Lemond
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontai -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: AndyEWU07 on 2016-05-04 1:39 PM
Tri coaches are worthless to anyone who is not a pro or doping. I can do everything you can do for free. The athletes in this sport already spend too much money and people like who, who take advantage of athletes should be ashamed of yourself.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find an online training program, complete the program and make tweaks for what they need to improve on. For those training with HR, it also doesn't take a rocket scientist to find their zones and analyze their data... Same thing applies to training with power. Get power meter, find FTP and train off your FTP.
There you go, all free... Now quit charging athletes 300+ bucks a month. -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: JohnnyKay on 2016-05-04 1:44 PM
Originally posted by AndyEWU07 Tri coaches are worthless to anyone who is not a pro or doping. I can do everything you can do for free. The athletes in this sport already spend too much money and people like who, who take advantage of athletes should be ashamed of yourself. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find an online training program, complete the program and make tweaks for what they need to improve on. For those training with HR, it also doesn't take a rocket scientist to find their zones and analyze their data... Same thing applies to training with power. Get power meter, find FTP and train off your FTP. There you go, all free... Now quit charging athletes 300+ bucks a month.well said
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-Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!! -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: Jason N on 2016-05-04 1:55 PM
Originally posted by byrdnjI wonder, would you be interested in a longer commitment to the training, for a lower monthly price? I think a lot of coaches fear the 1-month and done athlete when a new-athlete evaluation takes so much effort. Thoughts?Though I didn't ask for it, the coach I'm working with told me that he would send my first bill after the first month of coaching was completed, and only if I wanted to continue. I thought that was really fair...but I also think he's pretty confident in the services he offers and that the only way you would cancel after the first month is if you realized you're the type that doesn't really want coaching structure and rather just train whenever and however you feel like it.
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RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: Goggles Pizzano on 2016-05-04 2:48 PM
Originally posted by AndyEWU07 Tri coaches are worthless to anyone who is not a pro or doping. I can do everything you can do for free.You need new material. 0/10
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RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: TriMyBest on 2016-05-04 2:57 PM
Originally posted by byrdnj Thanks everyone! Nice results flowing in so far. EARLY FINDINGS: Seems that most people are struggling with the price point of training, finding coaches in the market quite expensive right now. FOLLOW UP QUESTION: I wonder, would you be interested in a longer commitment to the training, for a lower monthly price? I think a lot of coaches fear the 1-month and done athlete when a new-athlete evaluation takes so much effort. Thoughts?FWIW, as a coach who knows the amount of time involved monthly to coach someone, most coaches who are investing the time needed to do it right are already under charging on an hourly basis. Charging less in exchange for a longer commitment reminds me of an old joke that my father used to say about the home building industry: "We lose 2% on every house we build, but we make it up with volume."
Any discounted pricing will very likely necessitate a reduction in service level. That's why you see coaching packages that do things like limit communication or are little more than modified versions of generic plans that don't include schedule changes.
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It Depends ,Maybe, In General, Possibly, I Think, Usually, I Don't Know
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Don Larkin - Reach For More
USAT Level 1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science
http://www.reachformore.fit/ -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: AndyEWU07 on 2016-05-04 2:57 PM
Don't turn this thread around on me... It's a survey about coaches... I have my opinion... Coaches are a worthless money pit that only lazy athletes utilize. -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: TriMyBest on 2016-05-04 3:04 PM
Originally posted by AndyEWU07 Tri coaches are worthless to anyone who is not a pro or doping. I can do everything you can do for free. The athletes in this sport already spend too much money and people like who, who take advantage of athletes should be ashamed of yourself. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find an online training program, complete the program and make tweaks for what they need to improve on. For those training with HR, it also doesn't take a rocket scientist to find their zones and analyze their data... Same thing applies to training with power. Get power meter, find FTP and train off your FTP. There you go, all free... Now quit charging athletes 300+ bucks a month.Yeah, I agree. You need new troll material. 0/10
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It Depends ,Maybe, In General, Possibly, I Think, Usually, I Don't Know
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Don Larkin - Reach For More
USAT Level 1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science
http://www.reachformore.fit/ -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: AndyEWU07 on 2016-05-04 3:31 PM
I can't provide new troll material when you people ask the same questions over and over again. New questions, new toll material... That simple! -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: byrdnj on 2016-05-04 4:31 PM
Guys, thanks for this. This is all really helpful feedback - including the diversity of views on the value of a tri coach. Different folks find different strategies effective for getting across the finish line, and it helps to see where a variety of people land on this spectrum.
Really enjoying the survey feedback from those with coaches, as well, saying what they find effective - and ineffective - about their coaches and the concept of an endurance coach in general.
Thanks for the input!
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Visit my blog: http://nathanbyrd.wordpress.com -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: gsmacleod on 2016-05-04 6:56 PM
Not sure why I'm bothering but oh well...
Originally posted by AndyEWU07
Tri coaches are worthless to anyone who is not a pro
Having coached some elites and some age groupers, there are some in each category that benefit and some in each category who see at most a minor benefit.
or doping.
This is just idiotic.
I can do everything you can do for free.
Maybe - based on some other posts, probably not but maybe.
The athletes in this sport already spend too much money and people like who, who take advantage of athletes should be ashamed of yourself.
While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, most coaches are doing what they do to help people. They're not getting rich and they're not trying to take advantage of anyone. Not to say there aren't bad coaches, mostly due to lack of knowledge, but to suggest some nefarious intent is not the case with the vast majority.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find an online training program, complete the program and make tweaks for what they need to improve on. For those training with HR, it also doesn't take a rocket scientist to find their zones and analyze their data... Same thing applies to training with power. Get power meter, find FTP and train off your FTP.
Some people like stressing over the nuts and bolts. Some people just want to be told what workouts to do. And many situations in between.
For some people, they'd rather pay someone to do the planning and analysis for them and then not really worry about the details.
The same way some people like to do their own car maintenance and others go to a mechanic.
There you go, all free... Now quit charging athletes 300+ bucks a month.
Nobody is saying one cannot educate themselves - there's good information (mixed in with a tonne of terrible advice) available for free. However, separating the good from bad can be a challenge and is not one everyone cares to take on.
Shane
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ScotiaMultisport Coaching -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: k9car363 on 2016-05-04 9:02 PM
Originally posted by gsmacleod Not sure why I'm bothering but oh well...Originally posted by AndyEWU07 Tri coaches are worthless to anyone who is not a proHaving coached some elites and some age groupers, there are some in each category that benefit and some in each category who see at most a minor benefit.or doping.This is just idiotic.I can do everything you can do for free.Maybe - based on some other posts, probably not but maybe.The athletes in this sport already spend too much money and people like who, who take advantage of athletes should be ashamed of yourself.While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, most coaches are doing what they do to help people. They're not getting rich and they're not trying to take advantage of anyone. Not to say there aren't bad coaches, mostly due to lack of knowledge, but to suggest some nefarious intent is not the case with the vast majority.It doesn't take a rocket scientist to find an online training program, complete the program and make tweaks for what they need to improve on. For those training with HR, it also doesn't take a rocket scientist to find their zones and analyze their data... Same thing applies to training with power. Get power meter, find FTP and train off your FTP.Some people like stressing over the nuts and bolts. Some people just want to be told what workouts to do. And many situations in between. For some people, they'd rather pay someone to do the planning and analysis for them and then not really worry about the details. The same way some people like to do their own car maintenance and others go to a mechanic.There you go, all free... Now quit charging athletes 300+ bucks a month.Nobody is saying one cannot educate themselves - there's good information (mixed in with a tonne of terrible advice) available for free. However, separating the good from bad can be a challenge and is not one everyone cares to take on. ShaneShane,
Well said!
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Scott K
Beginner Triathlete Head Coach
Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated.
Head Coach - https://bscmultisport.com -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: AdventureBear on 2016-05-04 10:05 PM
Originally posted by AndyEWU07
Don't turn this thread around on me... It's a survey about coaches... I have my opinion... Coaches are a worthless money pit that only lazy athletes utilize.
Why the vitriol? I've seen this at least three different times in the short period of time I've known of you and your rep here on BT. So while I respect your right to have an opinion, and especially if this gives you a laugh as you sit behind the keyboard, I am genuinely curious...what happened to you as a child? who stole your toys ?
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Suzanne Atkinson, MD USAT, USAC, Total Immersion
Coach of World and National Champion Triathlete, Kirsten Sass
Fresh Freestyle: 99 Practices for Triathletes & Swimmers
http://wp.me/P2tUAV-xc -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: TriMyBest on 2016-05-05 3:23 AM
Originally posted by AdventureBearApparently a coach bullied him and stole his toys.Originally posted by AndyEWU07Don't turn this thread around on me... It's a survey about coaches... I have my opinion... Coaches are a worthless money pit that only lazy athletes utilize.Why the vitriol?......what happened to you as a child? who stole your toys ?
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It Depends ,Maybe, In General, Possibly, I Think, Usually, I Don't Know
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Don Larkin - Reach For More
USAT Level 1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science
http://www.reachformore.fit/ -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: Goggles Pizzano on 2016-05-05 5:57 AM
Originally posted by AdventureBearHe never got his trucker hat ! Oops wrong placeOriginally posted by AndyEWU07Don't turn this thread around on me... It's a survey about coaches... I have my opinion... Coaches are a worthless money pit that only lazy athletes utilize.Why the vitriol? I've seen this at least three different times in the short period of time I've known of you and your rep here on BT. So while I respect your right to have an opinion, and especially if this gives you a laugh as you sit behind the keyboard, I am genuinely curious...what happened to you as a child? who stole your toys ? -
RE: Tri coaching survey
BY: Rollergirl on 2016-05-05 6:45 AM
Originally posted by byrdnj
FOLLOW UP QUESTION:
I wonder, would you be interested in a longer commitment to the training, for a lower monthly price? I think a lot of coaches fear the 1-month and done athlete when a new-athlete evaluation takes so much effort. Thoughts?
Yes, that would be interesting for me. I had a coach once and I let him go because I kept thinking of what I could do with the money instead. I thought I could write my own training programs, based on his. How difficult could that be? Well, the answer is, while it's not difficult to write training programs, following them is another thing. I am one of those people who need somebody breathing down my neck to push myself.
(I don't think I am your average triathlete though. i have been trying to get into this sport for almost 3 years but I am still not sure it's for me. But this might be interesting to you anyway)
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Nathalie, Try-athlete from Sweden
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