HAS YOUR COACH CHECKED FOR THIS?

It Starts with Screening

So you’ve recently started with a new coach and you’re excited to get started with your new program, it’s time to shake things up with a new approach and a fresh set of eyes.

But how much does your new coach actually know about you? Have they taken the time to screen and evaluate how you move? Do they know your imbalances? Do they know that your left leg is considerably weaker than your right? Have they asked you about your basic health? (nutrition, bloods & bones). Or are they just looking back at your previous training data and basing their new programming off what you’ve done (or not done) in the past?

Regardless of your sport, every coach, new or old, should at some point pause to look at how you and your body is functioning outside your training sessions.

INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATIONS

Whether it’s an online program or face-to-face sessions, a screening process should be a priority when working with athletes. More and more athletes are on training programs, with numerous sessions a day, punching out big numbers, yet they have never been assessed physically, with regards to their strengths, weaknesses, imbalances or compensations. Should your coach prescribe any type of intensity or volume (whether it’s on the bike, run or swim) before they have looked into whether your body is actually ready to cope with the demands?…. No! 

"Don't accept the fact that your mobility is poor or your hip starts to hurt towards the end of long runs."

Those little hidden imbalances or weaknesses that cause you to sit awkwardly in the saddle or how your hip drops in the run could become bigger issues if they aren't address in the early stages. It's quite likely that you aren’t even aware of these yourself - they have become habitual and "it’s just the way you move". 

TIME TO TAKE ACTION

First things first, is it's as much your responsibility as your coaches. Take the time to have the conversation. If you have any concerns about old injuries or ongoing niggles, let them know before they crop up (unsurprisingly) down the track.

This screening will highlight whether you're both capable and comfortable in performing movements such as a basic body weight squat, standing up off a chair using one leg or bending down to touch your toes. If you can’t perform these basic fundamental movements then that should a big red flag to you and your coach, as it could be an indication that you have weaknesses or a tightness that needs to be addressed. 

Click on the steps below to test yourself :

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

The dynamic mobility routine below is not just a warm up, we use as our Initial Screening Tool before picking up any weights and our clients use it daily as a sort of ‘early warning detection system’ to suss out how they’re feeling that day.

It’s a great way for you to start thinking about how your body feels, what’s tight, what’s weak and what you need to start paying attention too. 

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Whatever you do, be pro-active. Don't accept the fact that your mobility is poor or your hip starts to hurt towards the end of long runs. The chances are, not only will these things crop up later on, but you'll be wishing you had done something about it sooner. So start to look after your body, it's the only one you've got!

If you know your coach isn’t addressing these things, you’re not alone. Many of our current clients came to us with the same concerns, they like their triathlon, run, multi-sport coach but they now there are a few gaps that need addressing.