Do I need a certicate to coach/teach powerlifting ?

[Powersthetic]

A head coach wanted to hire me next year when they opened up another gym which is specialised in crossfit and powerlifting.
I'm just a decent lifter, but I have some thinking to teach people how to powerlift.

I'm 5'5 69kg. I usually compete in 66kg Juniors weight class but I had one competition that had a ****ty scale and I end up competing in 74kg. I competed 3 times already (2 regionals and 1 national)

Best comp. lifts
S: 182.5kg
B: 110kg
D: 217.5kg

I currently holding a squat national record on my w. class division.



Anyway, Do I really need a certificate to teach powerlifting ?
need some opinions. THanks

[AdamBanotai]

Unfortunately in the strength sports the most rigorous academic education and certifications can mean very little when it comes to being a successful coach. You do not "need" one unless your gym will be a CrossFit gym and require a Level I certification for all coaches.

There are some phenomenal coaches who never took an Ex Phys class in their life. And there are some total brainiacs with advanced degrees and scientific knowledge that don't have a clue how to really train. IMO the best coach is someone like Matt Wenning, Josh Bryant, Ben Bruno, Jen Petrosino… People who are highly educated on human performance but have walked the walk and been in the trenches as lifters. And the real kicker is the ability to convey this knowledge and experience to an athlete in a motivational, concise way.

Anyway, no you don't need a certification. And if you are talking about helping Average Joe's learn the sport then even less so. However if you are asking if after 3 meets will a certification help you guide experience athletes to new levels of success? I unfortunately would say no. But you are super young and have all the time in the world. Surround yourself with more experienced lifters and coaches. Suck knowledge from them, ask questions. Keep training your ass off and keep competing. Try new methods that interest you on yourself. Hit new PR's and figure out why. Bomb out of a meet and miss lifts and figure out why. Gain that "in the trenches" experience while you pimp knowledge from super smart people.

I'm 33 and been lifting a long time and competing just as long. Can I help guys tweak form, adjust a program, pick attempts, eat to fuel their training, grow… Oh yeah I can. Am I a coach who can take 10 different clients, assess their strengths/weaknesses, create custom programs based on them and adjust things as the training cycle progresses? No way. And remember being a great athlete doesn't mean someone makes a great coach or vice versa.

My 2 cents. Just be honest with yourself about your abilities and if you would be doing clients a service or injustice. Unfortunately the internet and social media has opened up a flood gate of unqualified people claiming to be experts or coaches. And I am not referring to you just generally hence my rant of a post here!

Good luck my friend.

[JamesA1990]

No, but some meets you will not be able to be backstage in the warm up routine if you are not a level 1 powerlifting coach (in Australia for the IPF) at least

smaller meets it wasnt a problem, but at my latest meet only registered coaches were allowed in the warm up room to 'coach'

[DCSpartan]

Its a crossfit gym. Lmao they certify people with PVC pipes.

OP, you are overqualified

[CaliBakes]

Crossfit all wrapped up in one post from OP..... this is why this sport is becoming less and less respected at the beginner and amateur level

[JRMoore82]

Crossfit all wrapped up in one post from OP..... this is why this sport is becoming less and less respected at the beginner and amateur level

1) Crossfit= RANDOM programming with RANDOM stuff thrown in to balance someone out to be not too good or too bad at any physical trait.

2) powerlifting strategic weight programming to become the biggest baddest man/woman on earth

Pick one ;-)

[Garage Rat]

No you don't but,
It would depend what knowledge you already have and how good of a teacher you are.
Can you teach all forms of the three lifts proficiently and be able to correct any issues.
Can you program beginner through advanced lifters.
Do you have a working knowledge of the body and muscles used and how they work?
It's more complex than some people think.
I have personally powerlifted off and on for over 35 years and two years ago went through the USPA's powerlifting coaches certification which by the way is not a go to the two day cert and pass.
Your given a complex test with more than just the lifting aspect.
Lots of research and explanation of many things powerlifting related.

[KyleAaron]

In most places, it's not a legal requirement, though employers may require some certification, as will insurance companies if you are self-employed.

Few certifications are so bad you'll learn nothing. So you learn something, apply it, learn some more, and so on.

But nothing substitutes for time in the gym working with people. After you have talked to and trained a bunch of people you start to figure some things out, notice patterns. That's when those certifications or seminars come back to you, "ahhh, that's why the instructor said... it makes sense now!"

[AdamBanotai]

1) Crossfit= RANDOM programming with RANDOM stuff thrown in to balance someone out to be not too good or too bad at any physical trait.

2) powerlifting strategic weight programming to become the biggest baddest man/woman on earth

Pick one ;-)

This is a little unfair. My wife competes in CrossFit and I have seen some coaches like hers that absolutely know what they are talking about and have CSCS credentials to back up their education. I have also seen some terrible bro-advice given by "powerlifters". There are phenomenally smart and strong athletes and coaches in both sports and total tool bag douches in both as well.

Of course I am biased towards powerlifting too but just saying I have seen some great CrossFit coaches and lifters out there that get overlooked because of the douches!

[mccloudlw]

You just need a solid Instagram following and email address.

[getbigordie18]

You just need a solid Instagram following and email address.

lol

[mccloudlw]

In short no. The head powerlifting coach at one of the major universities in my area doesn't have any certs. However having some wont hurt you. Get some in your free time. Seems if they already want to hire you they know you well enough to see your knowledge base.

Which major university? I got my start in PL at VMI back when Sparkman was still coaching, and he had education out the wazoo.

[dleedle]

I'd take the advice of someone with a 440+ Wilks over someone who has a CPT and can't squat 2x bodyweight

[BExcellence]

To be an effective coach, certainly not.

However, as a previous poster mentioned, you may want to consider liability. Generally, in order to get insurance, you will need to show some form of certification (there are exceptions, but I doubt you'd qualify).

I would highly recommend you speak to the gym owner, though. His gym may have a great insurance policy that covers you. But, if not, you'll want to carry some sort of insurance yourself (and there are many PT certifications that are relatively inexpensive/easy to get).

[xMorningAgainx]

I dont know where you come from but in italy for example the IPF organizes different levels courses to become a powerlifting coach. You might want to try to ask to your regional ipf if they offre these type of courses