The Number 1 Coaching Red Flag (Okay, It’s Not, But It’s Not Good)
The Unforgivable Sin of Coaching
If you’ve ever asked a coach, “Why are we doing this exercise?” and been met with a blank stare, some vague waffle about "building functional strength" (whatever that means), or worse, “Because that’s what we always do,” – congratulations, you’ve just found one of the biggest red flags in coaching.
No, it’s not the number one red flag (fraud, negligence, and outright incompetence probably rank higher), but if a coach can’t explain why every single thing in your programme is there, then at best, they’ve gotten lucky. At worst, they’ve just ripped off someone else’s programming and passed it off as their own.
Coaching is a Service, Not Just a Programme
Let’s get one thing straight. Coaching is not just about writing a programme. It’s about problem-solving, adapting to individual needs, and helping athletes break through barriers. The best coaches provide a service that is all-encompassing – guiding you through technique, nutrition, mindset, injury prevention, and competition strategy.
That being said, programming is still a huge part of the job. Exercise selection must be intentional. Every warm-up drill, main lift, accessory exercise, and mobility routine should have a clear purpose. If a coach can’t tell you exactly why something is in your programme, then how can they possibly justify its effectiveness? - The Number 1 Coaching Red Flag, maybe?
Why Some Coaches Can’t Justify Their Own Programming
There are a few common reasons why some coaches struggle to explain their programming. None of them are good.
1. They Got Lucky (and They Don’t Know Why)
Some coaches stumble onto success without really understanding why. Maybe they had one athlete who made massive progress, and they think they’ve cracked the code. But what happens when the next client doesn’t respond the same way?
Without understanding why something works, they won’t be able to adapt when it inevitably stops working.
2. They’ve Ripped Off Another Coach’s Programme
This is more common than people think. Some so-called “coaches” simply copy programmes from their own coach (or worse, some random app) and hand it out like a generic meal plan.
How do you spot this?
They struggle to explain exercise selection beyond basic reasoning.
They use terms and phrases that don’t align with their usual coaching style.
When you ask a deeper question about the purpose of an exercise, they deflect or change the subject.
3. They’re Prioritising Aesthetics Over Performance
There are plenty of Instagram coaches who can get you looking great in a tight t-shirt but have no idea how to build real, transferable strength. Their programmes look flashy, but when you dig into the details, they’re full of fluff and filler.
Why are you doing single-arm kettlebell curls on a BOSU ball?
Why is there no clear progression in your main lifts?
Why does this feel more like a CrossFit metcon than a structured strength programme?
A good coach will have clear answers to all of this. A bad coach will just tell you to "trust the process."
What Makes a Good Coach?
As it specifically relates to programming and exercise selection, a good coach is someone who understands their methodology inside and out and can adapt their programming to meet individual needs. Here are some hallmarks of quality coaching:
1. They Can Justify Every Single Exercise
A good coach should be able to explain the purpose of every movement in your programme. This includes:
Main lifts: Why are you doing safety bar squats instead of straight bar squats?
Accessory work: Why are you doing deficit deadlifts instead of block pulls?
Warm-ups: Why does your session start with banded hip openers instead of goblet squats?
Mobility & stability work: What specific weakness is being addressed?
2. They Adapt Programming to the Individual
There is no universal template for success. A great coach will:
Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Adjust exercise selection based on injuries, mobility limitations, and goals.
Progress training based on feedback, not just a pre-set template.
3. They Have a System (But Aren't Married to It)
A great coach will have a clear methodology, but they won’t force every lifter into the same system. Whether it’s Conjugate, Block Periodisation, Linear Progression, or something else, they should be able to explain why they use it and how they adapt it to different athletes.
Why Good Coaches Can Always Explain Their Programming
The best coaches can justify every decision they make because they have:
Formal Education – They have studied biomechanics, sports science, programming principles, and periodisation. They understand why certain methods work and when to apply them.
Training Partners – Learning from other high-level lifters provides invaluable experience. Seeing how different bodies respond to different methods sharpens their decision-making skills.
Coaches, Mentors, and Influences – The best coaches are always learning. Whether it’s from their own coaches, mentors, or studying the work of pioneers in strength training, they absorb and refine knowledge constantly.
Sporting Achievements – While not every great coach has been an elite athlete, first-hand competitive experience brings insight that textbooks alone cannot provide.
Who Have They Made Better? – A great coach’s resume isn’t their own achievements, but the success of their athletes and clients.
How Many Years Competing? – A coach who has spent years in competition understands how training translates to performance under pressure.
How Many Years of Serious Training? – Theory is great, but personal experience in the trenches builds an understanding of what actually works.
How Many Years Coaching? – Time spent coaching real people (not just themselves) is what refines programming ability and adaptation skills.
When you work with a good coach, you never feel like you’re blindly following a programme. You understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, and you can trust that there’s a clear purpose behind it.
Don't Settle for a Coach Who Can't Explain The "Why"
At best, a coach who can’t justify their programming is just getting lucky. At worst, they’re ripping off someone else’s work and pretending it’s their own.
A coach should be able to explain, in detail, why every part of your programme exists. If they can’t, they aren’t doing their job.
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📌 I coach strength athletes who are serious about progress. No fluff, no BS, just evidence-based, battle-tested programming tailored to your needs.
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As a disclaimer because everyone got so triggered when we made the app based coaching meme - there is nothing inherently wrong with app based training programs. Problems arise when a coach is trying to pass one off as their own work and/or can’t explain the decisions that have been made.
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