Imagine an Olympic runner on the biggest stage of his career, getting ready, comfortable in his blocks and focusing on the race ahead of him. He's looking around at his competition, he's beat them all before, He's trained long and hard and feels ready for this moment. The race is called to the line, READY, SET, BANG!! The gun is off and the the runners explode out of their starting positions, this particular runner get out and pushes as hard as he can, and though all his effort is exhausted, he comes to a 3rd place finish just .08 seconds from taking the Olympic Gold Medal. This happens to some of the greatest runners and athletes across the world. The smallest margin can create the difference between complete success or failure. 

What's the difference between those margins. Athletes at such a top level of conditioning and strength, what could they possibly do more to get the advantage. Is it just luck from day to day? Is it just moments of greatness that they have no control over? 

The difference is the Coach. The importance a coach has to these athletes is beyond what many truly believe. 

A coach brings a variety of benefits to an athletes performance and when properly applied to physical practice, improvements come in a variety of ways. They bring extra pair of eyes and perspective to the athletes technique, they bring analytical experitise to the athletes strategy, they bring experience in tactical and training components to the sport, they provide accountability and they give educated advice in strengthening weaknesses.

The advantages a coach brings can be scaled down to even the most novice of fitness enthusiasts. Someone who is just beginning their journey to being stronger is going to benefit greatly from what someone with more experience is going to add to their training. Proper coaching from beginning to elite level fitness creates a greater possibility of constant progression helping avoid plateaus in peformance. It is also important for athletes to find coaches that will work well with their goals. People respond to certain types of coaching differently. A coach, personal trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, martial arts master, all these people are teachers and teach their philosophies in a veriety of forms. Though coaches are not meant to be your best friend, people should get along with them, able to converse about personal issues, stress, accomplishments, and have a professional yet, personal relationship with them so the type of training can be developed to the needs of the athlete.