For the better part of a decade, I have been working with and coaching athletes from around the United States. From New York to California, establishing a relationship with each athlete and providing open and honest communication has been my mission. Proper communication is essential for every athlete’s progression. Through years of racing, I have obtained training and tactical knowledge which I love sharing. It is satisfying to help others and I find great passion in watching others succeed.
As a cycling coach, I pride myself on helping my clients get to know others in the cycling community. Competitive cycling is a tough and grueling sport, but it can also be very rewarding. The relationships we make through riding our bicycle, whether recreational or for competition are some of the reasons why so many people love riding. As a cyclist we have many different aspects of our local community at our fingertips: Bicycle shops, junior programs, competitive racing, bicycle tours, the list goes on!
“A good coach is one who can stay positive, take the good with the bad, and is constantly finding ways to positively motivate their athletes.”
I mainly deal with athletes in the competitive realm. I get my clients motivated by providing a tough and challenging training program, as well as maintaining consistent communication on their goals and passions. A good coach is one who can stay positive, take the good with the bad, and is constantly finding ways to positively motivate their athletes. Some ask me what my coaching philosophy is for cyclists and I tell them there is no straight answer. Each athlete is unique and I deal with them on an individual basis.
My coaching methods come from my personal experience with training, racing, textbook knowledge, and educational classes. The world of cycling is constantly changing with new technology, different racing disciplines, and the needs and wants that athletes have. In order to stay one step ahead, I am always on the lookout for information. I attend coaching conferences, talk to other coaches in the industry, and get feedback from my athletes. The most important information I obtain is through the feedback from my athletes. This helps me understand if a specific training program is working for the given athlete.
“We all have different reasons for wanting a coach but you might be asking yourself, how can a personal coach help me?”
Working as a coach in my local community provides me with the satisfaction that I am giving back to the sport I love. I also work with a junior development cycling team which allows me to pass on my competitive cycling experiences so they too can learn to enjoy this sport. Five years ago, the team director and I had this idea to start a junior development team which could close the gap between juniors (ages 15-18) to U23 cycling teams. This program we created is a necessary step up. Once they have experience racing, we give them the tools to advance further in their competitive cycling endeavors.
Anyone can benefit from a coach, and working with one can be a rewarding experience. We all have different reasons for wanting a coach but you might be asking yourself, how can a personal coach help me? My advice is to first check out coaches in your local community. Meet and interview them on a one on one basis. Look for a coach who takes the time to answers your questions, and you find easy to communicate with. Establishing an open and honest relationship with a coach should be the number one priority.
Adam Zimmerman runs his own coaching company called EnduranceCoaching.net. Adam also runs an elite junior development team called Prestige Imports Cycling Team. Please follow the links above if you have questions about either.
