3 Tips to Help You Hire the Right Coaches for Your Affiliate

As an owner, you’ve taken all the necessary steps to provide your athletes with the ultimate experience at your business.  

You’ve implemented fitness software to make the booking process seamless, you’ve created a space that athletes are proud to walk into, and you’ve built a strong community.  

However, one of the most important things to keep in mind as an owner is ensuring you hire the right team. This rings true for both seasoned business owners and those who are just getting their gyms off the ground.    

You want to build a team of the most talented and sought-after coaches in your industry to help your business flourish. Now, it may sound like just another ordinary step in the business ownership process, but creating a dynamic team not only takes time and a whole lot of decision-making but the ability to identify that they have a cohesive coaching style and fitness philosophy. 

Selecting the right candidates can be a daunting and overwhelming process for anyone. Here are some tips to help you identify the right match.  

Identify what you need out of a coach 

Whether you already have several team members or you’re embarking upon your first hire, it’s important to evaluate the skills and requirements needed to fill coaching roles at your affiliate.  

Making sure you have a good organizational structure and you really know where you’re headed is one of the most important steps in getting there. 

So, what type of coach are you looking for?  

The answer can be quite simple. What type of coach would push you to your limits and help you conquer your fitness goals?  

It’s in your best interest to find an individual whose approach to coaching resonates with your community. For example, a “tough love” approach may work well for some of your members, while a more energetic and inspirational approach may work better for others.  

Whichever coaching style makes sense for your business, hiring coaches that can continue to encourage and motivate your athletes—however that might look—is paramount.  

Pro tip: Make sure you're very specific in your job descriptions when hiring new team members to make the interviewing process a breeze. By being open and upfront about your needs, it's more likely the right candidates will apply for the position(s).   

Here’s a Staffing Template created specifically for businesses like yours to help you identify the perfect staff member for your business. 

Identify what current members prefer in a coach 

The type of coach you need depends highly on the type of athletes that frequent your business. They most likely have the same fitness goals in mind—to be strong and healthy. So, how can you ensure you’re hiring the right type of instructors to help them accomplish those goals? 

Ask your clients what it is about their favorite coach that makes them want to keep coming back to their class specifically. Is it their personality? Attention to proper form? Creative workouts? Knowing the traits of your most successful instructor can help you look for the same qualities in your candidates. 

When in doubt, keep your core values in mind when hiring

You’ve probably heard the word “culture” thrown around quite a bit—and it’s not just a buzzword anymore. Having a strong, positive company culture is essential to running a thriving, long-term business.  

Take note of how your mission sets you apart from your competition—not only when it comes to your potential members, but your staff as well.  

Finding the perfect match for your business is about more than the necessary skills and certifications, it’s also about finding someone who’s enthusiastic about your mission statement and wants to come along on your business journey.