Should I become a CrossFit Coach?
Do you need to be 'elite' to coach crossfit?
If you've been following our blog posts, growth as a company, or simply are coming in from Google, then you're in the right place. VoyEdge RX is an adventure travel company, born from CrossFit coaches and athletes from all over the states, and we're putting together some awesome trips.
That being said, we're in the business of challenging the status-quo and are always keen on blogging about interesting ideas...one of which recently struck me pretty hard. 'Should I become a CrossFit Coach?'
The above question is an important one....and many of us have asked the same question after some time of doing CrossFit. And no matter where you are in your CrossFit career, at some point or another you think, 'Hey, I wonder if I could become a coach too. I bet I could do this.' Or even, 'Would I be a good CrossFit coach?'
Ok, but....do you have to be 'elite' to coach?
It's a REALLY tough question to answer. One that requires a lot of self-thought and reflection.
The truth of the matter is, there's no right or wrong answer. If you feel like you can coach, or WANT to coach, then do it. There's very little requirements (from CrossFit) to become a coach. All it takes is some self-education, the will to want to improve and learn on a daily basis.
ARTICLE: See here for the exact info on taking the L1 CrossFit Coach Course
For me, I've been doing CrossFit for three years. And have had the extraordinary luck of being coached by some amazing, incredible people. CrossFit in and of itself is community-focused. Each box across the world is a tight-knit group of individuals of all ages, abilities, and skill levels - and the people who coach at the box are always on the lookout to help people improve each and everyday.
And that (for me) should be the goal for everyone who wants to coach. You should innately want to help others each and everyday. Doesn't matter the age, skill level, ability or anything else. You should above all, be a people person and love what you do, as well as do what you love.
CrossFit is really an amazing sport - and regardless of whether you do CrossFit or not, you should appreciate the 'community' focused aspect of it, because it's HUGE. Like, beyond worldwide - and Greg Glassman has done an incredible job of making CrossFit a sport where anyone and everyone can get involved.
Now, the 5-10% of the community who are considered 'Elite' are often portrayed as everyone that does CrossFit. This is most definitely NOT the case. Most people who do CrossFit work a regular job, have families, loved ones, etc. And while CrossFit does take up a huge portion of their lives, many people have strict goals they're gunning for; improving gymnastics, lose weight, become stronger, gain muscle mass, get more toned.
Greg Glassman started a fitness revolution with CrossFit.
SIDE NOTE: And for me, the @CrossFit Instagram does an AMAZING job showcasing everyone from CrossFit kids, to 80 year old's performing constantly-varied, functional fitness movements. They don't make it feel like an 'elitist' club, and it's that kind of integrity that makes me feel proud to be a member of this massive, worldwide community.
Another good point is this...there are some incredibly amazing athletes who do CrossFit. If you're on Instagram and search #CrossFit, you'll see posts from some of the world's top athletes moving some serious weight around. But that's what sells...CrossFit isn't all about becoming a monster, but appreciating what others can do. It's about working on your goals, while appreciating the fitness levels and struggles of those athletes around you.
More importantly, your box is unique. The people in it are unique, they are your friends, your family and should be cheering you on, rooting for each other whenever possible.
The point being, literally everyone in all age ranges, skill levels and abilities can do CrossFit. It's really an all-inclusive sport with unique gyms, and people all over the globe. And if you feel along the same lines, then I think you should become a coach, no matter your age, skill level or where you are in life.
So, for me? It's back to the question, "Should I become a CrossFit coach?"
Here's my personal answer...
I've wanted to be a coach since I started CrossFit. Actually, I am and have been a skydiving coach for several years now and LOVE teaching people how to perform aerial maneuvers while rocketing towards the ground at 120 mph...but I do understand CrossFit is an entirely different animal. There's a lot of 'little things' to learn, and each one of them compounds onto the other. It's a gradual process only attained from doing it each and everyday and improving week to week. It's most definitely something as a coach, and as an athlete that I realized you need to divert a ton of attention to.
And beyond that, there's a ton of things to be considered....am I ready and willing to give myself to helping others? Or am I still working on being the best athlete I can be....is it possible to even do both of those at the same time?
And while I do consider myself a people person, motivator and love pushing my own self to the limits, there is A LOT I want to work on as an athlete before I would feel 'ok' teaching others. For instance...my handstand push-ups are lackluster...I can only do about a set of 8-10 before I need to rest. I can only link 3 muscle-ups at a time (and can't even do them every attempt, anyway) and really think I need to work on my bar muscle-ups, butterfly pull-ups and a few more things...
Granted, these are somewhat advanced gymnastics movements (and I love being coached by people who I know are more advanced than me) so personally, if I were in their shoes, knowing my own deficiencies, I personally wouldn't be ok with the title of, 'coach' for myself.
Muscle-ups are a tough movement to master, and to teach.
I see the Level 1 Certificate as being something to truly be appreciated. Meaning you've mastered 99% of the CrossFit movements and can teach them to others. And while I know it's not the case, this is the level I am holding myself to. Until I can improve my own fitness athletics, gymnastics and more, I am going to hold off on pursuing my L1 - and that's totally ok.
This isn't a 'knock' to any other L1 Coaches out there, but my choosing of a personal standard I myself want to be accountable for - and everyone has their own choice to make on when and where they want to take their CrossFit L1 Coaching Course. I know for a fact the course is more about learning how to teach - than becoming proficient in all the movements and being able to relegate them to another individual.
All in all...I'd love to hear your thoughts on becoming a coach and the decisions you made before or after doing it.
P.S. Ashley just took her course this past weekend (thus my thoughts on this post) and Larry, Cam S., Marc, Aimee are all coaches too. And Tony is taking his in two months...so at some point, I hope to have 90% of us as coaches and athletes on staff.
Comment below, or shoot me an email with your thoughts!