New to triathlon? Here’s how you find the right coach.

Courtesy of Man and Culture Magazine

By Sigurd Neubauer

03/26/2025

In today’s information age – where everything is available – finding accurate, relevant and helpful information can be a daunting task. For those who are new to the world of triathlon, or those who are exploring it, finding the right coach can naturally be a challenge in itself. 

A first step – naturally – is to join a local triathlon club. But as your journey begins, the quintessential question becomes: what is the criteria to become a triathlon coach? 

To understand this and more, I reached out to triathlon entrepreneur Henry R. Shoemaker of the Syndicate Endurance Team (S.E.T.) whose journey into the sport began a decade ago. Shoemaker is a certified coach and runs Maryland’s top triathlon club.

What does it take to become a triathlon coach?

Here’s an interesting tidbit.  It takes literally nothing to call yourself a triathlon coach, so buyer beware.  Nonetheless, some of the best people we’ve ever met are triathlon coaches.  Triathlon coaches are like any cohort of humans, they run the gambit so athletes should do their due diligence and know there’s a range of strengths and opportunities out there in what coaches bring to the table in terms of education, experience, and certifications.  

The most widely recognized certification is by the National Governing Body (N.G.B.) of triathlon, U.S.A. Triathlon (U.S.A.T.) and there are three U.S.A.T. levels:

The most recent data shows over 2,100 coaches hold a Level 1 certification.  There are only 180 of us with a Level 2 certification making this a rare distinction at less than 10 percent of certified coaches.  

Level 2 requires a master’s thesis style defense of training protocols and scenarios.  

The most distinguished is Level 3 where coaches are also required to demonstrate a Ph.D. level understanding of coaching and the ability to train other coaches in the techniques. 

Only 20 coaches are said to possess this certification at last count.  I don’t see a USAT Level 1 certification itself as a particular qualifier to being a good coach, but I do have to ask the question, if a coach isn’t willing to invest the time and money to meet that minimum standard, is he or she going to invest the time and energy in you and your training plan?  Aside from USAT, other entities issue more specialized certifications such as IronMan U, and Training Peaks.

I’ve sadly been firsthand witness to some appalling statements and approaches from triathlon “coaches” who turned out to be uncertified.  That is not to say that one needs to be certified to provide insights or coaching, but it’s really important that coaches are transparent about their background, qualifications, and experience.  Using myself as an example, I started triathlon at the middle distance (70.3) and have never raced a Sprint distance event.  I can tell you all of the training techniques and protocols, but I would be misleading at athlete chasing a sprint distance podium if I told them I understand exactly what they’ll experience at the sort of redline limit necessary to reach those sprint speeds or implied that I knew a certain course just because I studied the elevation profile.  

How to choose a coach?

I recommend choosing a coach like choosing a medical provider. Get several opinions, and this point is important, give more weight to opinions from athletes that match your profile, and always check reviews. Find the right combination of proven expertise and a bedside manner that matches your personality.  

Be open to coaches who are early in their career and may not have the extensive athlete resume but do have the right knowledge and approach. Interview the coach and ask hard questions. Understand their training approach and what they value most. If you sense a persona or a lot of resume fluff rather than information geared towards your specific profile, then beware.  If you “feel” like you’re talking to a salesperson, you probably are.  

It’s also true that we are all different as athletes and what may be the wrong fit as a coach for some could be the right fit for others. I know athletes that absolutely adore coaches who others don’t care for at all.  Go with what works for you. Some green flags are someone who listens more than they talk, and who ask you your background and goals and discusses how they would build a plan around you, rather than pushing you into his or her “philosophy.” Red flags equal concrete plans and absolutist opinions on any aspect of the sport.