Questions for my path to becoming an SSC
Firstly; I apologize for the long post. I have tried to keep this brief, with some explanation prior to the questions.
I have decided that I don’t enjoy working for other people and have chosen strength coaching as my next, hopeful career path, with the long term goal to open my own barbell strength training gym, potentially a Starting Strength Gym (Starting Strength Milwaukee has a nice ring to it). I have begun the process of working towards that goal, and have a few questions and would like some feedback on my plan.
I have completed my NLP (barring the Clean, started late in the program), read the blue book once, and am reading Practical Programming. I will read through both again before I attend the seminar in December.
First Question: is it worth it to get tested on the platform in December, expecting that I will fail due to my lack of coaching experience? I lean towards yes, as I assume there is feedback provided on my ‘coaching’ on the platform and why I might pass or fail, which would be helpful in knowing what to work on as a developing coach.
I am coaching a few people in person and online and offer form advice at my current gym, if asked. I watch form check videos weekly, and compare my recommendation to the coaches posts. I am considering opening up a home gym as a business. My current gym does not guarantee access to a squat rack or barbell, since they are fairly limited (two racks, two platforms, and five barbells, compared to a sea of treadmills and cable things). I would also want the business for, moderate, legal protection. While I am confident that I can explain and demonstrate how an exercise is performed correctly, the United States seems to be…sue happy in this day and age.
I need the experience in coaching, have to start somewhere, and there are no barbell strength coaches I am aware of in the Southeast Wisconsin area that don't specifically focus on power lifting. Seems like a good market to get into.
Second Question: thoughts on the business idea? I read through the “Raising the Bar 2.0” article, and would follow that format in some form or another; professionally written waiver, LLC, etc. I would also create a simple website that lists my services in the area and hopefully would bring in more folks I can train. I would not claim to have the SSC certification, or utilize any of the relevant trademarks until I have earned them.
Future Plans: as stated previously, I plan on reading Starting Strength and Practical Programming again, probably a few more times after. I am signed up for the Seminar in December, and will likely sign up for another one in 2022. I will probably sign up for the online coach courses in 2022; funds are going to be tight with setting up the home gym this year (will be completed whether I set up the business or not). I’ll read the books again, as well as a couple additional books recommended about physiology and anatomy.
My background: I have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and have worked as an engineer since 2017. I am 28, 270 lbs, 6 ft, with the following lifts (weight (lb) x sets x reps):
Squat: 440 x 1 x 5 (following the Texas method, increasing 5 pounds a week on intensity day)
Deadlift: 560 x 3 x 2 (following the Texas method, I assume, of increasing 5 pounds a week, while trying to maintain 5 to 6 reps)
Press: 215 x 1 x 5 (I press 4 times a week, following the Texas method, but press light and bench heavy on Wednesday. I then do pin pressing on Saturday, since I assume I will stall at the forehead and want to delay that as long as possible. Increasing 2.5 pounds a week on intensity day)
Bench: 225 x 3 x 5 (I haven’t focused on a heavy bench, and am still progressing linearly, benching once a week, increasing 2.5 pounds a week)
Clean: 140 x 5 x 3 (Like I said earlier, I started the Clean very late. I am adding 5 pounds a session, and Clean twice a week. I was nervous about learning the lift, but decided to stop being a coward).
Let me know your thoughts on any of the above. Tried to do my homework as much as possible before posting, since we are all busy and I hate to waste time. In the end, I figure I can keep working as an engineer while working towards this, and if coaching doesn't pan out I still have engineering to fall back on.
-Clarke
