Although I operate a York based Personal Training business, by trade I am really a Strength and Conditioning Coach. With a Sport and Exercise Science degree and a Masters Degree in Strength and Conditioning, I know about S&C. So just what is a Strength and Conditioning Coach?
Strength and Conditioning has become something of a buzz word in the fitness industry. Many personal trainers are claiming to offer Strength and Conditioning, seemingly without even understanding what is meant by this term themselves. So let’s demystify this cloud surrounding Strength and Conditioning.
Strength and Conditioning is a specific profession. This profession involves working with athletes involved in competitive sport. The role of the strength and conditioning coach is to develop fitness qualities in order to reduce injuries and improve performance in a particular sport. For those asking, what is a Strength and Conditioning Coach? In a nutshell, this is it.
So, if you are a personal trainer and you are not working with any competing athletes, then you do not provide strength and conditioning. Of course, many personal trainers are strength and conditioning coaches. Both job roles are about providing fitness training. So, there is a lot of cross over in the skill set of personal trainer and that of a strength and conditioning coach.
The key differences between personal training and strength and conditioning coaching are as follows:
- A strength and Conditioning Coach is defined by who they work with
- A Personal Trainer is defined by what they do
What is a Strength and Conditioning Coach?
A Strength and Conditioning Coach is defined by who they work with. Specifically, S&C coaches work with athletes. That is the key criteria. You can work with athletes individually. Or You can work with athletes in group settings. Perhaps you deliver in person sessions. Maybe you work remotely. The only thing that really defines you as a strength and conditioning coach is that you are working with athletes on their fitness.
By contrast, a personal trainer is defined by what they do, and not by who they work with. Personal trainers typically work with general population clients. Personal Training clients often want to work towards aesthetic goals. They may wish to reduce body fat or increase muscle mass. However, this is not what defines a personal trainer. Many personal trainers also work with athletes, or individuals training for some kind of performance related goal. I include myself in this bracket. I am a personal trainer that works with a number of high performance athletes.
The defining feature of personal training is the one-to-one nature of the work. Personal trainers could potentially work with anyone. But if they are not delivering one-to-one private sessions, then it is not really personal training.
S&C Resources
More information on strength and conditioning is available in a range of places. In the UK your best starting point is the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA). In the USA your best starting point is the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). For those in Australia, there is also the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
You should now have a good idea of the difference between a personal trainer and a strength and conditioning professional. You also now have several resources at your disposal if you wish to explore the strength and conditioning profession some more. I am always happy to discuss the profession with individuals interested in moving into strength and conditioning.
If you are looking for a strength and conditioning coach, then I can also help. As a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, I work with a number of high performance athletes. I specialise in working with competitive runners and track and field athletes. However, I do work with athletes from all kinds of different sports. So if you are York based and are wanting to take your sporting performance to the next level, then I am the Strength and Conditioning Coach for you.
To learn more about what I can offer, please visit my Personal Training page using the link below:
York Personal Training and Strength and Conditioning
This article should have cleared some light on the strength and conditioning profession. If you want to know more about strength and conditioning, then do get in touch. Likewise, if you would like to have me as your S&C coach, then I would love to hear from you.
In the mean time, keep training hard and keep training smart! I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Tim Egerton, Foxwood Personal Training, York.