If you’re thinking about a career in coaching, or already working as a part-time CrossFit coach and wondering what it takes to go pro—this is for you.
At CrossFit Kreis 9, we’ve seen many coaches come and go. We’ve worked with full-time professionals, passionate volunteers, and everything in between. Some had all the certificates. Others had one. But when it comes to what makes a great coach, it’s not about experience, credentials, or charisma.
It’s about being coachable.
Coachability: the #1 trait we look for
You can learn movement mechanics. You can practice public speaking. You can study programming. But if you’re not open to feedback—if you get defensive, tune out, or take it personally—none of that will matter.
The best coaches are not the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who are constantly learning, evolving, and growing. They’re not afraid to be wrong, because they’re focused on getting better. They seek feedback. They implement it. They reflect and try again.
In our experience, more than half of all aspiring coaches struggle with this. They might have passion, energy, and even knowledge—but if they can’t take feedback, they’ll never be able to reach their full potential.
Coaching is about people, not programming
If you want to coach for a living, your primary job is not to write clever workouts. It’s to lead people.
You need to understand how to read a room, how to deliver a message so it actually lands, how to shift your tone for different personalities, and how to make every single person feel seen and supported.
This means:
- Talking less, listening more.
- Learning names and stories.
- Watching body language.
- Spotting hesitation before it turns into frustration.
- Recognizing when a client needs a push—and when they need a break.
None of this is taught in a textbook. But all of it is coachable—if you’re willing to learn.
The magic happens in the class
We believe that real progress happens in the class—not outside of it.
Yes, training is important. But if you train only in isolation, avoid group classes, or prefer to work out alone, it’s worth reflecting: are you connected to the experience you’ll be delivering?
A coach who doesn’t regularly train in a coached environment will eventually lose touch with what makes a great class truly great. The rhythm, the flow, the subtle energy shifts, the shared struggle, the way great coaching makes people feel—it all happens in the room.
If you want to stand in front of a class, you first need to be part of one. That’s where the magic starts.
Feedback is a gift (if you let it be)
At CrossFit Kreis 9, we believe feedback is one of the greatest tools for development. We give it. We expect it. We welcome it.
That means you might be pulled aside after class and told to watch your tone, slow your cues, or adjust your energy. Not because you failed—but because we believe you’re capable of more.
If you hear feedback and feel embarrassed, defensive, or discouraged, that’s normal. But if you stay stuck in those feelings, you’ll stop growing. Great coaches hear feedback, sit with it, and then do something about it. That’s what sets them apart.
It’s not about you
Another key mindset shift: coaching isn’t about you.
Your class isn’t your stage. It’s not your time to show how much you know or how fit you are. It’s about the members. Every cue, every warm-up, every word you say—it’s all in service of helping them improve.
This takes humility. It also takes focus. You can’t coach well if your head is somewhere else. Presence is a skill. Like everything else, it can be developed.
The path to becoming a great coach
So what does the journey actually look like?
- Start by shadowing. Watch experienced coaches. Take notes. Ask questions.
- Show up early. Stay late. You’ll learn more in conversations and transitions than in any certification course.
- Ask for feedback. Don’t wait for it—invite it. And don’t argue with it—use it.
- Practice coaching. Not just in class. Try cueing a friend through a squat. Watch video. Film yourself. Reflect.
- Invest in yourself. Get your L1 and L2. Study communication. Learn about behavior change and psychology.
- Be consistent. Great coaching isn’t about one amazing class. It’s about showing up with intention, day after day.
We’re not looking for perfection
At CrossFit Kreis 9, we’re not looking for “the best coach” on paper. We’re looking for the ones who want to get better every single day. The ones who can hear tough feedback and say, “Thank you. I’ll work on that.”
If that’s you—there’s a place for you here.
