Thinking out loud about coaching

Pressure can expose how your gym really works. Learn how difficult moments reveal patterns in communication, decision-making, coaching and the systems behind your culture.

Your gym is already giving you valuable information. Learn how to spot patterns in member behaviour, coach feedback and gym data, and use them to make better decisions.

Great coaching presence isn't about being loud. Learn how positioning, timing, attention and clear communication help coaches command a room without shouting.

A workout score tells you what happened, but not why. Learn how coaches can analyse decisions, develop better judgement and help members improve future performance.

Learn why a member's goal is only the starting point. Discover how effective coaches translate long-term goals into practical coaching plans that create lasting progress.

Learn how to build a thriving gym community by strengthening three essential cornerstones: identity, experience and structure. A practical guide for affiliate owners and coaches.

Learn what effective coaching feedback really reinforces and how to help athletes become more independent, confident, and capable through better coaching conversations.

Discover why many new members experience hidden barriers in the gym and how coaches can create a more welcoming and supportive environment.

Learn how a coach’s attention shapes member behaviour, class culture, and the overall coaching experience over time.

Learn why effective coaching depends on recognising patterns in movement and behaviour rather than reacting to isolated moments or individual reps.

Discover how defining purpose in coaching improves decision-making, member experience, and consistency beyond just following a program.

What is it really like to work in the CrossFit® ecosystem today? Insights from 1083 coaches and affiliate owners on sustainability, pay, value, and the future of coaching.

Why does your coaching work for some members but not others? Learn the 5 coaching languages and how to adapt your coaching using proven principles.

Discover insights from 644 CrossFit® coaches and affiliate owners on pay, coach development, equity, and support. This report highlights key challenges and opportunities in building a more sustainable CrossFit® ecosystem with clear takeaways for coaches, owners, and leaders working to strengthen the future of the community.

Empowering coaches: Let's take a step away from only lectures In the heart of coaching, where learning never stops, we stand at a fascinating crossroads. We have the opportunity to embrace evidence based teaching methods to inspire, elevate and transform our coaching. The trusty lecture, a classic method that many of us experienced in school, and is still very common today, often doesn't quite hit the mark in this age of dynamic education. So, let's jump aboard and journey through different teaching methods, weighing their merits and potential pitfalls, wh Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Empowering Coaches: Building Authentic Relationships Coaching, at its heart, has always been about guiding and nurturing growth. But in the realm of functional fitness, it's not merely about mastering physical movements. The role of a coach goes further than teaching the techniques for a virtuous ring muscle up or a snatch. At the center of impactful coaching is the art of cultivating genuine, meaningful relationships. As coaches and affiliate owners, our greatest impact isn’t just in how we teach the methodology but in how deeply we resonate with Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for coaches: Group dynamics We've all noticed it. Whether in a cafe, at work, or at the gym – when people group together, something changes. Their behaviors, their interactions, even their motivations take a noticeable shift. It's all about the fascinating world of group dynamics. From motivation levels, commitment to putting in the work, and even overall performance – it all ties back to this.So, what's the deal with group dynamics? At its core, it's about how individuals act and react when they’re part of a group. In a b Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for coaches: Mental toughness and resilience Welcome again to our blog series "Psychology 101 for Coaches". Today, we talk about two important ideas - mental toughness and resilience. These are important for both coaches and participants of CrossFit®. They help improve performance and make it easier to handle problems during training. We will also talk about two things that make up these qualities - adaptive coping and self-regulation.Adaptive coping is how we deal with stress or problems. When you have a hard workout or movement to perfor Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for Coaches: Self-efficacy and self-confidence Welcome to the latest installment of our series, "Psychology 101 for Coaches". In this edition, we will explore the fundamental concepts of self-efficacy (essentially a form of self-belief) and self-confidence, and how they contribute to success in functional fitness. So, let's dive in and touch on the theories behind self-efficacy and self-confidence, along with some practical tips for coaching.What is self-efficacy: Self-efficacy, is a concept developed by psychologist Albert Bandura, refers t Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for Coaches: Stress and Anxiety We've all had members cry during or after a workout, throw equipment out of frustration, or look upset because they didn't meet their expectations. These moments remind us we are not just physical trainers. Part of being a coach is that we're here to help our members' mental health where we can. By using psychology, we can better help our members deal with stress and anxiety.Stress and anxiety, though they share some common features, are distinct concepts that are important to distinguish. Stres Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for Coaches: Mind-Body connection As coaches, we're passionate about helping our members reach their full potential. But have you ever wondered what's happening inside their brains as they learn new skills? Understanding the psychology of cognitive and motor skill learning can help us become better coaches, and create more effective training programs. So let's dive into this fascinating world without getting lost in academic jargon.The Two-Stage Learning ProcessWhen we learn a new skill, our brains go through two main stages: th Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for Coaches: A Powerful Tool for Athletic Success As coaches, we recognise the importance of physical conditioning and proper technique. However, the psychological aspects of training and performance are often overlooked. This introductory blog post, part of our "Psychology 101" series, will touch on the following essential psychological concepts: motivation, learning, stress and anxiety management, self-efficacy and self-confidence, mental toughness and resilience, and group dynamics. By understanding these principles, you can take your coachi Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Psychology 101 for Coaches: Tapping into the Power of Motivation Functional fitness is a demanding and rewarding discipline that requires physical strength, mental toughness, and unwavering motivation. As a coach, you have the unique opportunity to support and inspire your members, helping them overcome challenges and reach their full potential. In this blog post, we will explore key psychological concepts behind motivation and how you, as a coach, can tap into these to empower your members and accelerate their progress. Today we will have a look at the conce Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Empowering coaches: Practical tips for reducing coaching fatigue We have all been there...Someone asks if it's from the rack or the floor after you clearly briefed it at the whiteboard, and you find your blood is beginning to boil.Or the lessons from that day have all merged into each other, and you can no longer recall what happened with who and/or when.Or it's the fourth class in a row, and you find yourself just staring at the participants moving, and you are no longer seeing how they move.We go home, we sleep, and the next day we don't get irritated, we r Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Insights from the frontline: A survey of Dutch CrossFit ® coaches and affiliate owners In the month of March 2023, we conducted a survey specifically targeted at CrossFit ® coaches and affiliate owners in the Netherlands. We asked them, amongst other things, about why they coach, what qualities they believe a CrossFit ® coach should have, and about the biggest challenges they face as coaches. In total 189 respondents filled out the survey in full.This is not a peer reviewed validated published research article, it is simply the story of those who responded.Who respondedFirst of al Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Empowering coaches: The power of positive feedback for an affiliate As a coach developer, whether you are an affiliate owner, head coach, or a fellow coach, it's our responsibility to provide our coaches with constructive feedback to help them grow and develop. As humans, when reflecting on our lives (including receiving feedback), we have a natural tendency to focus on the negative aspects, often overlooking the positive. This phenomenon, known as the negativity bias, can have a significant impact on our mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. As Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Unlock your coaching potential: Dynamic scaling in a CrossFit lesson Differentiation is an essential skill in the role of a CrossFit coach (read this for more information on that topic). It's not about making things easier or harder, but rather about creating a training that is challenging and rewarding for all participants. It is at the core of a CrossFit lesson. However there is a powerful and underused tool to implement differentiation in a CrossFit workout, dynamic scaling.

Unlock your coaching potential: How differentiation in a lesson can be a win-win Differentiation simply means adjusting the training to meet the needs and abilities of each individual participant, with an eye to the long term goals of the participant, and as such how much support an individual may need. In other words it is scaling within the context of a long(er) term goal with an awareness of the effort needed from the coach. It is not about making things easier or harder, but rather about creating a workout that is challenging and rewarding while working towards a specifi Farran Mackay https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bda9b8_a6c4adaf82054fa9b9857ecfe5c1a653~mv2.png

Tips for creating a development program for your CrossFit coaches

CrossFit coach development and why it is important.