How do you handle not being on the same page as your coach?

jtmarlin

Member
I hired a coach for my first contest prep (he's actually semi well known bodybuilder from years ago) and I just don't feel on the same page. Some of the things he says or expects just seem batshit insane to me. The other day he talked about doing 60 high intensity cardio intervals in a day?????? This is 5-6 days per week. I've always trained dogcrapp or Yates style and I get my workouts from him and it's like 40 sets per bodyparts. I tell him I can't handle this intensity on top of huge volume days (like 40 rep sets on the leg press) on reduced calories and he seems to think it's just some matter of taking an extra nap or getting some tissue work. I'm in my mid 40s bro and a casual competitor. It never seems to be like well maybe you can't recover but more like "you need to give your all don't be weak". How would you guys handle this?
 
Personally, I have a hard time relating to this. I've always been on the same page as my coach, I also trust the process. But, if your dynamic isn't working with your coach, I would think it would be best to find a coach that suits you.
I second this, a coach who is good for you specifically is something you have to search for, sometimes its just not a good match.
 
I second this, a coach who is good for you specifically is something you have to search for, sometimes its just not a good match.

Yeah I learned my lesson here. I paid him upfront just based on who he was. I didn't even know what questions to ask until I was deeper into the process.
 
Yeah I learned my lesson here. I paid him upfront just based on who he was. I didn't even know what questions to ask until I was deeper into the process.
Put your thoughts to him and just say things aren't working, you think you would benefit from finding a new coach, sorry for any inconvenience etc..

Then I would ask for half of your money back.. If this guy has anything about him he will do it.. If not he's not worth knowing..

Iv had guys in the past where our personalities simply didn't work together and if paid upfront I will give them most of it back..
 
Put your thoughts to him and just say things aren't working, you think you would benefit from finding a new coach, sorry for any inconvenience etc..

Then I would ask for half of your money back.. If this guy has anything about him he will do it.. If not he's not worth knowing..

Iv had guys in the past where our personalities simply didn't work together and if paid upfront I will give them most of it back..

Ty for the recommendation and thoughts. It isn't a ton of money and I have taken things I have learned. The thing that sucks is I'm a only a bit over a month from the show and won't be able to navigate peak week IMO without help. Are there coaches that help with the last week or 2? Initially this dude wanted a 6 month commit! I'm glad I talked them out of it.
 
Find a new coach.

Being on a different page is one thing.

What he’s asked you to do is retarded.

Ty for chiming in. I was hopeful that you would. I was feeling like I somehow just "didn't get it" and what do I know if this guy with so much success is saying this is how we do it even though I couldn't handle it. The initial warning signs I had were when we did the intake interview he asked what foods I liked which many were bodybuilding foods and he basically disregarded it. Told him I'm old and do a lot of machine work... can't deadlift from the floor so he gave me rack pulls on 2 days, t bar rows, bent over rows lol. I'm like wtf bruh I can't stabilize my low back with all this bent over and pulling volume. How about a chest supported row dude? He said you would grow more this way from a CNS perspective. I know that's bro science shit and not based on anything tangible. Just helps to talk it out ty. Another strange thing is I started my own cut 16 weeks out started working with him week 10 and WE started bulking again for 5 weeks and feels like I started over and now have to cut a shit ton in a month.
 
Ty for chiming in. I was hopeful that you would. I was feeling like I somehow just "didn't get it" and what do I know if this guy with so much success is saying this is how we do it even though I couldn't handle it. The initial warning signs I had were when we did the intake interview he asked what foods I liked which many were bodybuilding foods and he basically disregarded it. Told him I'm old and do a lot of machine work... can't deadlift from the floor so he gave me rack pulls on 2 days, t bar rows, bent over rows lol. I'm like wtf bruh I can't stabilize my low back with all this bent over and pulling volume. How about a chest supported row dude? He said you would grow more this way from a CNS perspective. I know that's bro science shit and not based on anything tangible. Just helps to talk it out ty.
Another old head coach stuck in the past.

Would you get results? I’m sure you would. Are there more efficient, less excruciating ways to do it? 1000%.

I hardly do any unsupported back work these days. HIIT is IMO a terrible move for enhanced athletes. My TOTAL daily training volume and weekly volume per muscle group is 8-12 sets. A coach who only knows one path can only get a few people to the end.
 
Another old head coach stuck in the past.

Would you get results? I’m sure you would. Are there more efficient, less excruciating ways to do it? 1000%.

I hardly do any unsupported back work these days. HIIT is IMO a terrible move for enhanced athletes. My TOTAL daily training volume and weekly volume per muscle group is 8-12 sets. A coach who only knows one path can only get a few people to the end.

You and I think quite similar. I already walk 10 miles a day every single day (it's unavoidable for me not on purpose) and asked about the HIIT and told him it was intolerable for me and basically was dismissed as it was necessary to achieve a better look. I was like dude I can't even get off the couch bc I'm doing 40 sets 5 days a week in addition to hiit. He asked if I could squeeze in and extra nap lol.
 
Ty for the recommendation and thoughts. It isn't a ton of money and I have taken things I have learned. The thing that sucks is I'm a only a bit over a month from the show and won't be able to navigate peak week IMO without help. Are there coaches that help with the last week or 2? Initially this dude wanted a 6 month commit! I'm glad I talked them out of it.

Chris Aceto. He mentioned it on a podcast with Dave Palumbo and I thought I misunderstood. He will literally take on a new client for peak week.

I guess it's mostly food/drug optimization to get you looking your best on the stage. Not spilling over or whatever.
 
Plenty of coaches can/will. But there’s gotta be a heightened level of transparency and willingness to accept the situation isn’t ideal. Shoot me a DM if you’re struggling.
 
Sounds like you have a cookie cutter plan seller, not a coach. What he has you doing sounds very unedcuated.
 
You and I think quite similar. I already walk 10 miles a day every single day (it's unavoidable for me not on purpose) and asked about the HIIT and told him it was intolerable for me and basically was dismissed as it was necessary to achieve a better look. I was like dude I can't even get off the couch bc I'm doing 40 sets 5 days a week in addition to hiit. He asked if I could squeeze in and extra nap lol.

An extra nap?? That would do nothing.

If the coach is unable to adjust the training load from your weekly feedback, they're worse than following a downloadable PDF 12 week program for $5.

seems spot on in this case
 
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