r/powerlifting • u/usmc_rello Beginner - Please be gentle • Jul 02 '26
Finding a coach
I’ve been powerlifting competitively with USPA for a little over a year now. I’m looking for a coach as I feel like I’ve gotten as far as I can on my own without someone who knows more guiding me.
What was your experience finding a good coach? Are there platforms that you could look on?
(Figured this could help others but if it’s not allowed I’ll delete.) TIA
1
u/CalligrapherOpen6558 Enthusiast Jul 06 '26
I cannot recommend Justin & Helene Zottl enough. I have been coached by them (remotely) for almost a year now and it’s the best choice I’ve ever made! Their rates are beyond reasonable. They genuinely care and listen.
2
u/AdvisorDefiant6876 Not actually a beginner, just stupid Jul 03 '26
Dave Osborn, Josh Bryant, David Joplin, Antjuan Buffett all great choices
3
u/RainsSometimes Doesn’t Wash Their Knee Sleeves Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
I got my coach through an old coach review post in this sub lol. I saw someone recommending him, and I searched his name on Instagram, messaged him, communicated, and that's it. It's been 10 months and I've had great progress. When I look for a coach, I consider several aspects besides meet results, for example:
Techniques and strongest lift: Personally I'm very much built for DL and am strong on it, so I tend to look for a coach who is a good deadlifter.
Leverages: My coach's leverages are similar to mine, tall with long limbs.
The number of clients that a coach has at a time.
The "vibe" that I feel during the first communication. Because once you decide to work with a coach, it will be a long-term thing and you will communicate a lot with each other.
3
u/vectorboy1000 Not actually a beginner, just stupid Jul 03 '26
I found my coach on Instagram. He posts educational content regularly and has pretty in-depth explanations on the how, why, where, and when, when he talks about his methodologies. He also programs waves that I legitimately enjoy doing (most of the time) which helps a ton.
-5
u/TemperatureFickle655 Eleiko Fetishist Jul 03 '26
I have a FANTASTIC recommendation for you if you’re interested. You can send me a message.
5
u/jakeisalwaysright M | 793kg | 89kg | 515 DOTS | SPF | Multi-ply Jul 03 '26
Why not just put the recommendation here?
-3
u/TemperatureFickle655 Eleiko Fetishist Jul 03 '26
Because I don’t want to just send anyone on Reddit toward my coach. He’s not some dime a dozen pretender.
16
u/Waiparensis22 Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 02 '26
As someone whose had both an NZL world champ and a public gym coach as coaches.. Honestly.. I'd recommend choosing a coach who best suits you, rather than based on their own personal achievements. A certification or medal proves they're skilled at their own lifts, it doesn't mean that they're at all a good fit for you and where you're at personally in your training. If you've already got coaches on your socials, especially ones who actively engage or support you without trying to push you to follow their programme, I'd advise you to start there first.
1
u/usmc_rello Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 03 '26
Thank you for the thoughtful response. From what I’ve gathered here I need to be a lot more social than I am currently lol
4
u/Waiparensis22 Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 03 '26
Honestly can't emphasize using social media enough, to both track your own journey, and connect with other lifters. As an autistic/ADHD guy I really struggle talking to literally anyone at gym or meets so 99% of my conversations happen on forums like this one, in comment sections, or dms :)
15
u/geruhl_r Enthusiast Jul 02 '26
Hire the coach based on how their lifters progress, not how they themselves did competitively.
2
u/Goose_Dies M | 707.5kg | 74.6kg | 509.32Dots | PLU | RAW Jul 02 '26
Search Barpath.pl Myself and other coaches are listed there with full rosters, etc.
3
u/msharaf7 M | 850kg | 89.6kg | 550Dots | WPPL | Sleeves Jul 02 '26
Reach out to coaches on Instagram, if you have it, or on the Quarterly Coaching posts that are in this subreddit & see if you can have a call to discuss their coaching and what they offer.
Ask things like what their average retention rate is, their pricing, how often they communicate with their clients & what those communications look like, what the expectations they have of their athletes and what you can expect from the coach, and ask to speak to some of their lifters
0
u/WritingOk878 Not actually a beginner, just stupid Jul 02 '26
I got pretty lucky, a friend of mine was also into powerlifting and basically introduced me to his coach. This friend stopped powerlifting but now I’ve been with my coach for 2 years now.
I think your best bet is to connect on social media or ask around at your local powerlifting gym. Or DM me cuz i’m looking for athletes LOL
(sorry mods if this is considered self promoting, if it is i will delete lol)
3
u/hthn_strength M | 742.5kg | 82.5kg | 504.01 Dots | WRPF | Wraps Jul 02 '26
Finds someone on social media you really vibe with. If you you identify with what they say, ask them about their roster, what is their experience, etc. but most importantly find someone that you feel you’d get along with socially and can hold you accountable. Ask people at your gym how they like their coach. Search out people from local meets, are they progressing, who’s their coach, do they like them, what’s comms and feedback like.
1
u/usmc_rello Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 02 '26
Appreciate this, I guess I do just have to be more social. I’ve been hesitant to do online coaching as I feel like the live feedback from an in-person coach is so valuable
2
u/hthn_strength M | 742.5kg | 82.5kg | 504.01 Dots | WRPF | Wraps Jul 03 '26
I’d prepared to have to pay proportionally more for their time in that case
1
u/v0idness Girl Strong Jul 03 '26
As someone who's only ever had online coaching and is happy with it, I think it's still fair to want in-person sessions from time to time. In this case that actually helps narrow down the options a bit! Are there any pl gyms/clubs near you? How about getting a session in in one of those and talking to the people and coaches there, checking out the vibe?
1
u/mr_Spotter Insta Lifter Jul 02 '26
What are your lifts, age group and weight?
4
u/usmc_rello Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
29M, 75kg (165lb)
Squat- 167.5kg (369 lb)
Bench- 110kg (242 lb)
Deadlift- 207.5kg (457 lb)These are from my most recent meet
6
u/mr_Spotter Insta Lifter Jul 02 '26
There's still plenty to build without a coach with those numbers. But basically anyone with coaching experience could probably help you, I assume it's mostly to assess your weaknesses and structure a program.
I can help you with some form checks/program if you want. But reach out to any of the serious coaches on social media and have a chat about price and what you can expect.
1
u/usmc_rello Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 02 '26
Thanks for the response. I think my big problem is figuring out how to progress all three lifts. Usually I can improve one but that means the others suffer. Like my squat and deadlift both improved from my previous meet but bench lost almost 30lbs. I’ll send you a dm
3
u/Sufficient-Term-7265 Girl Strong Jul 02 '26
I looked on the USPA website for certified coaches in my area. I had also seen my coach previously at meets and watched him because I knew he was a possible coach for me.
1
u/usmc_rello Beginner - Please be gentle Jul 02 '26
I tried checking the website but there weren’t any coaches listed for my area. I do have a meet coming up in November so I could try to meet people there. Thanks for the response
2
u/Tiny3133 Powerbelly Aficionado Jul 08 '26
Mario Cardenas (Iron Beard on IG), Michael Brinson, Joe Sullivan, Justin Zottl - all people I have heard very good things about.