A Girlfriend's Guide To Powerlifting

3 Tips on How To Find
a Coach
The other day, I began to think back to how I have gotten to this point in
powerlifting and thought about what I did to get my start. I started going
to the gym in 2013 at 24 years old but didn't really start powerlifting until
2014, when I learned all of the main movements from my brother. I
accompanied his teachings by reviewing other powerlifters that I followed
via social media, but also by reading endless articles and viewing
Youtube videos in order to reinforce what I was seeing on social media.
Alongside my brother and my new found powerlifting internet knowledge,
I coached myself into my first meet in January 2015 where I had an 880
total (SQ: 335 / B: 165 / DL: 380) - all completed beltless! With more in the
tank, I was proud to get myself to that point but knew that if I wanted to
reach the next level, it would be best for me to start shopping around for
a coach.
As a n00b, I had no idea how to shop for a coach, nor did I feel
comfortable enough to ask anyone how to go about it. Granted, there
are many things you find out after you sign on the dotted line and pay
your coach, I did go by certain guidelines I set up for myself which I have
found are applicable and can be helpful to those on the hunt for a
coach.
1) Do you want someone who can physically be there or are you
okay with virtual coaching?
Prior to my first powerlifting meet, I attended several meets in and around
New York and New Jersey to get myself familiarized with the flow and
overall meet day vibes. During that time, I noticed that my, now coach,
was consistently at these meets with his lifters.
Takeaway: I knew that I really wanted someone to learn from in person
and his visibility in within my area reinforced that.
16