Are You Paying for Access to a Coached Class... or Are You Paying for Coaching?

There's something happening in the fitness industry that I think has created a little confusion.

Almost everyone is selling "coaching."

But not everything being called coaching is actually coaching.

Sometimes what you're really buying is access to a coached class.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

We offer group training at Righteous, too.

Group fitness can give you a great workout, great energy, great people to train alongside, and a reason to get off the couch and move.

But I think it's important to understand the difference between having access to a coach and actually buying coaching.

Because they aren't the same thing.

Access to a Coached Class

Let's say you join a group fitness gym.

You show up at 5:30.

There's music playing.

There's a workout written on the board.

A coach gets everybody together and leads the warm-up.

They explain the workout.

They start the clock.

They keep the class moving.

They encourage everybody.

Maybe they correct some technique along the way.

Then the workout ends, everybody high-fives, and the next class eventually comes through the door.

Again...

There's nothing wrong with that.

A great group fitness class can be an incredible experience.

But you're primarily purchasing access to the class.

The workout exists whether you're there or not.

The class starts at 5:30 whether 3 people show up or 20.

And the basic plan for the day was probably created before anyone knew whether you were coming.

That's different from someone sitting down and asking:

What does Jared need?

That's where coaching begins.

When You Buy Coaching, You're Buying a Person

When someone hires us for personal coaching at Righteous, they're not simply buying 30 minutes on our calendar.

They're buying access to a coach's:

Time. Education. Experience. Attention. Problem-solving. Accountability.

And ultimately, their ability to take all of those things and apply them specifically to you.

That's a very different service.

Your coach needs to know where you are today.

Where you're trying to go.

What you've tried before.

What's worked.

What hasn't.

What hurts.

What you're capable of.

How you move.

How much time you realistically have.

And what's happening in your life that might affect the plan.

Then we build from there.

Your Program Should Belong to You

This may be the biggest difference.

In a class, you're generally modifying the day's workout to fit the person.

With personal coaching, we're building the workout around the person from the beginning.

There's a difference.

If your goal is to build strength, your program should reflect that.

If you're trying to lose body fat while maintaining muscle, that matters.

If you're 52 with an old knee injury, that matters.

If you're training for your first HYROX, that matters.

If you're a busy parent who can realistically give us three 30-minute sessions each week, that matters.

If you played college sports 20 years ago but haven't consistently exercised in the last five years...

That matters too.

Your life becomes part of the program.

We're not asking:

"How do we make you fit today's workout?"

We're asking:

"What training does this person need today?"

That's coaching.

A Coach Watches

This is another distinction that's easy to overlook.

A coach isn't just there to make sure you complete the workout.

We're watching you.

How are you moving?

Did that squat look different today?

Are you compensating?

Is that weight actually challenging you?

Is it too heavy?

Could you handle more?

Are you progressing?

Are you recovering?

Is your technique improving?

Does something hurt that shouldn't?

Are you nervous about a movement and need more time learning it?

Those observations change what happens next.

Sometimes good coaching means adding weight.

Sometimes it means taking weight off.

Sometimes it means changing the exercise completely.

Sometimes it means pushing you harder than you would've pushed yourself.

And sometimes it means telling you:

"That's enough for today."

The goal isn't to make every workout as difficult as possible.

The goal is to create the appropriate challenge for you.

A Coach Teaches

We also aren't simply giving you exercises to complete.

We're teaching you how to train.

How to squat.

How to hinge.

How to brace.

How to breathe.

How to lift safely.

How to choose appropriate weights.

How to recognize the difference between discomfort and pain.

How to progress.

And eventually, how to understand your own body better.

That's one of the things I think great coaching should do:

You shouldn't just become fitter. You should become more knowledgeable.

A Coach Adjusts When Life Happens

This might be one of the most valuable parts of coaching.

Because the perfect training program works great...

Until real life shows up.

Your kid has a ballgame.

You travel for work.

Your back starts bothering you.

You didn't sleep last night.

Your schedule changes.

You miss a week.

You're overwhelmed.

You hit a plateau.

A generic program can't have a conversation with you.

A coach can.

We adjust.

Maybe we move your appointment.

Maybe we change today's session.

Maybe we reduce the volume.

Maybe we change the goal temporarily.

Maybe we figure out what you can do from a hotel.

Maybe we simply help you get back on track instead of allowing one bad week to turn into three bad months.

The plan should serve the person.

The person shouldn't have to serve the plan.

And Yes... A Coach Holds You Accountable

Accountability gets talked about so much in fitness that it's almost become a cliché.

But real accountability isn't somebody yelling at you because you missed a workout.

It's somebody who notices.

"Hey, I haven't seen you."

"What's going on?"

"That goal mattered to you three months ago. Does it still matter?"

"Here's the progress you've made. Don't lose sight of it."

Sometimes accountability means pushing.

Sometimes it means listening.

Sometimes it means changing the plan.

But there's a huge difference between a gym noticing that your membership payment went through...

And a coach noticing you haven't walked through the door.

We're Selling Coaching

At Righteous, we offer group fitness.

And I'm proud of the experience we've built there.

But when you purchase personal coaching from us, understand what you're actually buying.

We're not selling you access to exercise equipment.

You can find that almost anywhere.

We're not selling you a list of exercises.

You can Google those for free.

We're not even selling you a workout.

The internet has millions of them.

We're selling you a coach.

A real person who learns your goals.

Builds your plan.

Teaches you.

Watches you move.

Challenges you appropriately.

Adjusts when necessary.

Tracks your progress.

Notices when you're missing.

Celebrates when you're winning.

And helps solve problems when you're struggling.

You're paying for someone's time, education, experience, attention and accountability to be focused on helping you move from where you are today toward where you want to be.

That's coaching.

And there is a difference.

So if you're considering your next step in fitness, maybe the question isn't simply:

"How much does the gym cost?"

Maybe the better question is:

"Am I looking for access... or am I looking for someone to help me get somewhere?"

Because if all you need is access, there are plenty of great options.

But if you've had access for years and you're still struggling to get where you want to go...

Maybe access isn't what you're missing.

Maybe it's coaching.