As a USA Cycling Coach, before taking on any new clients, I always ask one simple question: “How serious are you in achieving your goals?” And the typical response is usually vague, not with any clear commitment or sense of purpose. One of the tools I use as a cycling coach is called the New Cycling Coaching Client Intake Form. This is where potential clients can answer in detailed format specific questions that paint a picture of what the client wants to achieve.
Outside of basic information, clients need to provide their cycling background, recent training and coaching history, goals and motivation, health, medical and injury history, life schedule and constraints, equipment and environment, coaching preferences and communication and lastly, any additional information that will aid in my coaching efforts.
As you can see, the intake form is quite comprehensive and is used for the sole purpose of focusing in on the client and in fulfilling their needs and ultimate goals. But aside from all that, the one question that is still unanswered is how serious are you in achieving these goals. This is the frustrating part of being a cycling coach whereas you have the knowledge and experience to share but where clients lack the commitment to achieve success. I’m writing this article not as a rant but as a point of inflection to those who truly desire to improve in the sport of cycling.
Now that I addressed the big elephant in the room, let me switch gears to an acronym that is widely recognized in the fitness industry and has direct relevance to this article. The acronym is called PROVRBS which represent the seven principles of exercise. Breaking it down, it goes something like this:
P for progression….every workout or training session has to be based on progression, not regression.
R for regularity…cycling once a week doesn’t cut it and neither does it support any gains made.
O for overload….workout or training sessions need to be demanding to the point of overload.
V for variety….a good workout or training regimen incorporates using different training techniques.
R for recovery….every hard workout or training session requires recovery…the body needs rest to grow.
B for balance….balanced training programs consists of strength training and cardio stimulation.
S for specificity….simply meaning, your training has to be specific to the goals you want to achieve.
So, frankly speaking and in a nutshell, if you are not willing to commit to these principles of exercise which are considered the foundation used in any sport, then you need to step back and ask yourself “How serious are you?” I hope this article sparks some level of motivation or at least makes you think about your level of commitment to the sport. The purpose is not meant to insult your integrity but to merely check your level of commitment to excellence as you pursue your lifelong dream.
Elmer Feick
USA Cycling Coach
EF Cycling
El Paso Bicycle Club 