Strength and Conditioning Coach

Strength and Conditioning Coaches work with Athletes of all levels, from high school to professional, to ensure they are getting the most out of their training and improving their playing ability. The work you do as a Strength and Conditioning Coach may not be as obvious as that of the Head Coach who calls out plays from the sideline, but it’s just as important. You create training schedules for different Athletes, teams or entire athletic programs.

These training schedules help the Athletes who follow them become more in shape, running faster and longer, and/or lift more during their prep time off the field. Strength and Conditioning Coaches also keep Athletes from injuring themselves during play: When muscles are strong and people are in shape, they are much less likely to suffer from problems like torn ligaments, cramping or fatigue.

You work with individuals or entire teams to create goals for the season and then come up with cardio and weight routines that will help the Athletes reach their top potential. Often you will be teaching new weight lifting techniques or stretching routines, ensuring the Athletes are constantly challenging their bodies to work harder and not falling into a rut.

When working with weights you monitor the Athletes to ensure they are lifting properly and not putting themselves in danger of injury. Although this may seem in many ways close to the job of an Athletic Trainer, it’s a little more complex since you work with Athletes who already have a certain level of ability. Plus you work exclusively on building up healthy bodies, and don’t treat injuries when they occur.