To be straightforward, the answer is yes and no. You need to ask yourself: have I reached my goal, or do I need help to get there? Often, the answer seems easy, but when we look at the proof and the results to date, it tells a different story. Many times, we believe we can do it on our own, but we never quite reach our goals, and years pass by.
So, I want to share some very interesting insights about fitness coaches and whether using one is right for you. Some of these points you might not be aware of, so I want to clarify how you could benefit from a coach to help you make the right decision.
I’m going to summarise the wealth of knowledge our coaches at One True North Coaching have gained over the years, with over 10 years of experience working with real people.
Unfortunately, due to the amount of misleading information online, it’s now very difficult to find reliable knowledge. When you search the internet on platforms like Google, Instagram, or YouTube, valuable information is often buried or suppressed. There are numerous apps offering free workouts and many online videos you can access, but there’s still a consistency problem, a lack of discipline, and insufficient teaching (misleading advice).
A good coach will guide you towards your goals, acting almost like a teacher—not just telling you what to do, but showing you how and why to do it. Success requires understanding many elements.
At OTN, we’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes when someone has proper guidance in their fitness journey. Many people come to us after spending years at the gym, following advice from well-known figures in the industry, thinking they’re on the right path. But once we start working together, they often realise just how much they were missing. The small mistakes they didn’t think were a big deal start to become clear when we’re there to point them out and correct them consistently.
Having someone to keep you focused on the most important aspects of your training—and to remind you again and again until it becomes second nature—can be a game-changer. Even for those who are meticulous about their form and technique, there’s always room for improvement. With a coach, you get that extra layer of accountability and expertise, which can elevate your training to a whole new level.
Another great benefit of our OTN program is that if you ever find yourself out of shape again, you’ll have the knowledge and mindset to resolve it independently. This is very difficult to adhere to alone, because it’s extremely hard to acquire without proper instruction.
So, to answer the question: yes, you could piece together a workout plan and diet plan from YouTube videos and Instagram influencers. However, understanding how everything fits together for your specific needs and goals is what makes achieving those goals so challenging.
With that said, here are a few observations we’ve made from over the years working with our clients—issues that were very common “before they started using a coach”—all of which were taught by their OTN coach:
- Having a weak mindset
- No momentum
- Incorrect exercise form (as seen on social media)
- No proper workout structure and split
- Not having timely adjustments
- Not pushing themselves enough (seeing no progress due to staying in their comfort zone)
- Insufficient knowledge of nutrition (simply not understanding their macros)
- Quitting when they plateau
- Lack of consistency
- Overtraining/undertraining
- Progress tracking (photos, recording meals, tracking reps, etc.)
- Lack of support (1-1)
- Not addressing weaknesses
- Ignoring mobility/flexibility
- Lack of accountability or motivation
In summary, it boils down to whether you’re struggling or not. If you’ve maintained discipline and achieved your goals before, we’re sure you can do it again by revisiting the steps you once took.
However, if you’re tired of trying various gimmicks without success, a coach could be tremendously beneficial. Yes, it comes at a cost, but it won’t cost you time.
If you haven’t already got yourself a coach and you would like to get more information, please visit the link below and we can set up an appointment with you to discuss how we can help you.
www.onetruenorthcoaching.com
