Dreams of Becoming a Strength & Conditioning Coach

[Richoss]

I am interested in becoming a strength and conditioning coach in the near future, yet i do not know how to become one.

Anyone who is one, please answer.

I am from Australia, 18 years of age, currently in my last year of high school. And my questions are

1/ In Australia, what degress do i need? what courses do i need to study? tafe or uni?

2/ Where do you guys work?

3/ What does it involve?

4/ Good pay? do you look forward to work?

5/ Is there ever chances of working with top athletes?

6/ Does size, appearance, strength, speed etc matter when you are becoming, or become one? Like do people judge you before you train them? if you get me

That's it for now

Anyone who can answer some of them questions, that would be great. I am mainly after question 1And if a couple aussie blokes reply to this question that would be good. Outside Aussie, could you answer q2,3,4,5,6?

Cheers in advances.

Reps to anyone with good replies

--Richoss

[sprasad03]

You need to know read alot of material about myths, about misconceptions most ppl have, you need to know what works, why it works, and why other things dont. You need to know why certain things are better than other. You need to be able to change routine for ppl with different goals, different bodytypes, and make them achieve in the quickest time. Chances of workign with top athletes is possible but you have to make yourself distinguished, ppl come to you, unless you got connections, cause alot times its who you know. Size, Appearance, Strength i think is a huge factor, i dont want a some skinny guy telling me what to do and works to get big, i would rather have some huge muscular that looks like he knows what he is doing telling me this worked for him and will work for me. You get me? BAsically back up what your teaching by showing your results.

[Richoss]

You need to know read alot of material about myths, about misconceptions most ppl have, you need to know what works, why it works, and why other things dont. You need to know why certain things are better than other. You need to be able to change routine for ppl with different goals, different bodytypes, and make them achieve in the quickest time. Chances of workign with top athletes is possible but you have to make yourself distinguished, ppl come to you, unless you got connections, cause alot times its who you know. Size, Appearance, Strength i think is a huge factor, i dont want a some skinny guy telling me what to do and works to get big, i would rather have some huge muscular that looks like he knows what he is doing telling me this worked for him and will work for me. You get me? BAsically back up what your teaching by showing your results.

where on the net is good realiable source of sport training information?

[Zac Robinson]

I don't have a clue as to how the system works in Australia, but I think your best bet would be to find a S/C coach in your area and just go talk to him/her, have your questions ready and thank them for the time. Typically, I think you get a degree in a sports related field, (many times athletes want to become SC coaches and they already have an 'in' because they have worked with the coach). Next you work as a Graduate Assistant and try to get as much experience as you can. And then hopefully land a job somewhere. I certainly don't have experience in any of this, so take the advice for what it's worth....also, I think it would be a great job!

[Kozma]

i don't know anything about it really but i've heard exercise science degrees and the likes arent worth it. it would probably be good to get a degree in biology or anatomy science.

[Richoss]

anyone know good websites (for free) that offer soild information besides bb.com and athletes.com?

The information i am looking for is to help increase my knowledge of strength and conditioning. and also which methods work best and why and what do you do excatly and so fourth.

Reps to anyone with good sites

[Heisman2]

You're going to want to purchase some books and read them multiple times. Supertraining, Science and Practice of Strength Training, and Facts and Fallacies of Fitness are all good reads.

[Richoss]

You're going to want to purchase some books and read them multiple times. Supertraining, Science and Practice of Strength Training, and Facts and Fallacies of Fitness are all good reads.

Thanks, but atm I can not order books of the net, and i have searched local bookstores and they have no training book, only autobiographys.

Any websites that provide free information? that is what i am after

[ScottK928]

WWW.NSCA-LIFT.ORG

You will need a degree to get hired anywhere. Probably a Masters due to the competition. Simply reading a book will not cut it.

[Richoss]

WWW.NSCA-LIFT.ORG

You will need a degree to get hired anywhere. Probably a Masters due to the competition. Simply reading a book will not cut it.

Thankyou

Not being rude, but I was aware of needing a degree. In my first post I asked what kind g degree do i need? and since i live in Australia, our degrees are different to other countries. So i'm slowly searching. I understand reading a book won't cut it, but it never hurts to have knowledge before studying a course....

[watchandsee23]

you obviously ahven't read on bb.com and athletes.com. So if you do that and actually know the stuff you are in good shape. a degree is a must though.

[olinerules87]

The National Strength and Conditioning Association is the best place to go to learn more about Strength and Conditioning. I also want to become a Strenth and Conditioning coach for colleges and will start working as a student assistant next year when I go to college. There are some schools that will pay student assistant, mine will not pay. After you get your undergrad degree you will need to get a Master's Degree and work as a Graduate's Assistant. Usually Graduate Assistants work for two years while getting their master's degree and school is paid for. Good Luck

[ScottK928]

I apologize if that reply seemed rude. I had read a post about the books you should read to get in the field and assumed the worst.

Let's start over. In the states you generally get a degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology and then sit for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam. It's one of the few that covers the "strength coach" field accurately. I'm not sure of the Aussie equivalent. I do know that you guys have some great Biomechanics programs over there and that your Olympic program is top notch. You may want to inquire with them about a possible internship ?

That being said, I had to follow-up my training with a Masters degree + in Exercise Physiology due to the competiveness in the field. I've been a Strength Coach for 19 years and have just recently started my own business. Most schools that hire a coach will expect a lot of continuing academics, publications, original research, etc. I did an internship with the Olympic training center a long time ago just to get my foot in the door. If you love what you do, the job will be a good fit. But, be prepared my friend: the hours are long, the pay is low and you get little respect from your peers (namely, other faculty members). Still, your office is a weight room and you'll have ample opportunity to be the biggest, strongest, most powerful faculty member on campus.

While you are working toward achieving your dream, you can always work as a Personal Trainer (while earning a degree). Be prepared to make some waves, voice your opinion about what is wrong with industry and you'll get noticed. Follow the pack (which is often wrong) and you'll get lost early in your career. Best wishes !

[Superstar11]

Hey,

Im currently studying Exercise science in NZ and working towards hopefully becoming a strength and conditioning coach for a Sports team or running my own business training athletes. The best tips I can give you are:

Find a good university or technical institute and look for degrees in Sport science, Exercise Science, Science majoring in Exercise, Bacholor of Physical Education etc.

Read heaps of books on all subjects regarding strength and conditioning.

When you are studying, you will likely have to do work exp. Use this wisely, Im working with a Npc rugby academy and running a free service for HS athletes. One of my classmates got a internship with the canterbury crusaders rugby team. If your interested in training athletes, im sure you would be able to find some awesome work exp in aussie.

Great sites are:

Elitefts.com
T-nation.com

On elitefts, there is a good article on how to get into the business also, which is a good read.

Good Luck

[ivan_drago]

I'm in the same boat as u. I live in OZ too.

Degrees (3 years)
Human Movement
Exercise Since

Where do they lead?
If ur lucky strength coach for an AFL, NRL or Rugby team.
My PE teachers brother is strength coach for Richmond.

80% of ppl that do these degrees then do post grad to become PE teachers, chrios, physios. There are very little jobs as a strength and coditioning coach.
Or working at a gym.

Other options:
PT 6 months at TAFE.
Working at a GYM.

What will help you get a job with a footy club?
Volunter work with the club. (hours and hours of it)
And if you have shown improvement in ur self. A good exaple of this is Kelly Bagget www.higher-faster-sports.com

My advice find some1 whos done the degree and talk to them (ie ur PE teacher)

[Heisman2]

WWW.NSCA-LIFT.ORG

You will need a degree to get hired anywhere. Probably a Masters due to the competition. Simply reading a book will not cut it.

I hope you don't think I meant to imply that reading a book would cut it. It's just that reading those books will get him exposed to some of the types of literature he'll later encounter and help him realize if this is something he really wants to pursue. Plus, those books all have really good information, lol.

[Richoss]

I apologize if that reply seemed rude. I had read a post about the books you should read to get in the field and assumed the worst.

Let's start over. In the states you generally get a degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology and then sit for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam. It's one of the few that covers the "strength coach" field accurately. I'm not sure of the Aussie equivalent. I do know that you guys have some great Biomechanics programs over there and that your Olympic program is top notch. You may want to inquire with them about a possible internship ?

That being said, I had to follow-up my training with a Masters degree + in Exercise Physiology due to the competiveness in the field. I've been a Strength Coach for 19 years and have just recently started my own business. Most schools that hire a coach will expect a lot of continuing academics, publications, original research, etc. I did an internship with the Olympic training center a long time ago just to get my foot in the door. If you love what you do, the job will be a good fit. But, be prepared my friend: the hours are long, the pay is low and you get little respect from your peers (namely, other faculty members). Still, your office is a weight room and you'll have ample opportunity to be the biggest, strongest, most powerful faculty member on campus.

While you are working toward achieving your dream, you can always work as a Personal Trainer (while earning a degree). Be prepared to make some waves, voice your opinion about what is wrong with industry and you'll get noticed. Follow the pack (which is often wrong) and you'll get lost early in your career. Best wishes !

No need to be sorry, it wasn't your fault, I might of read it in the wrong tone.

I know you're not an aussie, but how would i get in contact with the olympic internship enquiry etc?? As i live in a rural area at the moment?

I assumed the hours would be long, but i diodn't expect low pay! If you do not mind answering me in a pm, how much you approx make a year, and your first couple years? I can fully understand if you do not wish to tell me that information and i respect it. But if you don't mind, pm me. As for the respect part, is that just talking about working in colleges? And i love the idea of the weights room and the field/track being my office.

Seeing as you have been in it for 19 years, what have you done? what does your job involve? anything exciting? you also stated you are starting your own business, goodluck with that, i would like to know in a pm how things are going and how you are going about it.

Thanks in advance

Hey,

Im currently studying Exercise science in NZ and working towards hopefully becoming a strength and conditioning coach for a Sports team or running my own business training athletes. The best tips I can give you are:

Find a good university or technical institute and look for degrees in Sport science, Exercise Science, Science majoring in Exercise, Bacholor of Physical Education etc.

Read heaps of books on all subjects regarding strength and conditioning.

When you are studying, you will likely have to do work exp. Use this wisely, Im working with a Npc rugby academy and running a free service for HS athletes. One of my classmates got a internship with the canterbury crusaders rugby team. If your interested in training athletes, im sure you would be able to find some awesome work exp in aussie.

Great sites are:

Elitefts.com
T-nation.com

On elitefts, there is a good article on how to get into the business also, which is a good read.

Good Luck

Thankyou for that information, and the websites

I'm in the same boat as u. I live in OZ too.

Degrees (3 years)
Human Movement
Exercise Since

Where do they lead?
If ur lucky strength coach for an AFL, NRL or Rugby team.
My PE teachers brother is strength coach for Richmond.

80% of ppl that do these degrees then do post grad to become PE teachers, chrios, physios. There are very little jobs as a strength and coditioning coach.
Or working at a gym.

Other options:
PT 6 months at TAFE.
Working at a GYM.

What will help you get a job with a footy club?
Volunter work with the club. (hours and hours of it)
And if you have shown improvement in ur self. A good exaple of this is Kelly Bagget www.higher-faster-sports.com

My advice find some1 whos done the degree and talk to them (ie ur PE teacher)

Thanks heaps, seeing as you are a aussie bloke, that has probably been most useful. Would i be able to pm you, or, post here, and ask a few questions later as you seem to know the stuff.


Heisman2 - I understood you weren't impying that reading a book will cut it, so no need to worry about it.

THANKS TO ALL

AND THANKS IN ADVANCE TO THOSE WHO CAN ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

[ivan_drago]

Just Post here. Keep input avalible to ever1.

[Richoss]

Just Post here. Keep input avalible to ever1.

Guess my first question is, have you done any degrees to be a S&C coach? are you one yourself?

[ivan_drago]

Nah man I'm Y12 I was thinking about doing one but by speaking to people who have done the degree I don't think there is any work.

[Richoss]

Nah man I'm Y12 I was thinking about doing one but by speaking to people who have done the degree I don't think there is any work.

what did they have to say? don't spare the details? i am intrigued

[ivan_drago]

basiclly what the guy at the gym said "you have to do alot of voluntry work at football clubs to even have a chance of getting a job. The degree was great fun but next to useless. I'm going to do post grad of 1 year to become a teacher".

Pe teacher "My brother got work at Richmond FC due to who he knew. I couldn't get work so I become a PE teacher.

Family friend. "I'm going back to Uni to become a chriopracter."

Richo try asking at your gym or PE teachers at school if they did the degree.

[Richoss]

sounds interesting

yeah i will have a talk to a few people and see how it goes

[ScottK928]

I hope this doesn't seem too obvious, forgive me if it is but the answers you're looking for seem to be at :

www.strengthandconditioning.org

The Australian Strength and Conditioning Association.

[Richoss]

I hope this doesn't seem too obvious, forgive me if it is but the answers you're looking for seem to be at :

www.strengthandconditioning.org

The Australian Strength and Conditioning Association.

Thanks for that,. i never even thought of that, and probably never would of. thanks again.

reps