Coaching

A training program provides detailed training advice. The workouts are detailed and can be spread out over the week if desired, taking your abilities and preferences into account.

I often speak of training suggestions rather than training programs. A program is just a guideline. I become suspicious when it's executed down to the last decimal point. The 'spirit of the program' is what matters: the underlying training principles (supercompensation, progression, and specificity) and the orders of magnitude.

As a trainer, I always start with a larger plan - an annual plan, whether it's for an entire year or not - which reflects the bigger picture, such as sporting goals, vacations, and periods with more or less training time. This larger plan serves as the framework for developing the more detailed training plan. I create these detailed plans every four weeks.

In my view, 'coaching' implies 'rights and responsibilities' for both the trainer and the athlete.

First, the trainer commits to sending detailed training programs on time, following up weekly, adjusting the programs as needed, and imparting training insights. The trainer also teaches the athlete to stand on their own two feet. If an athlete says after a while that they no longer need me, then I've probably done my job well.

The athlete commits to taking the coach's advice to heart and keeping the coach informed, usually by maintaining a training diary. Without proper feedback from the athlete, the coach cannot provide proper feedback or advice. It's a two-way street - the coach makes the athlete, and the athlete makes the coach (M. Van den Eynde).

Yes, regardless of the format in which the schedule is created and communicated (email, paper, or software programs, etc.), programs can be elaborated in more or less detail. For example, they can be developed on a weekly or daily basis, or they can include only the core of the training session, or also include a detailed warm-up and cool-down. You may also choose for a single four-week program, and repeat it once or twice (so, for 2 or 3 consecutive months). The latter can be an easy, inexpensive way to have a guideline for the winter period, for example, when less increase regarding training load is needed.

1) if you are working towards a specific goal:
- for example, running a marathon in a personal best time, climbing Mont Ventoux on a racing bike, completing an Ironman, etc.
- in my opinion, a program is of little use if you don't have a concrete, time-bound, specific goal; some general guidelines for how to fill your week can often suffice.

2) If you want more training insight and/or are ready to master the tricks of the trade:
- so you absolutely don't have to be an elite athlete to ask for 'concrete guidelines'
- a program, on the other hand, is rarely useful - and is often 'overkill' - for an absolute beginner: here, too, some general guidelines (regarding FITT - frequency, intensity, time & type) are usually sufficient.

3) If you want to get the most out of your possibilities:
- possibilities on a physical level: to 'peak' as best as possible
- possibilities in terms of available time: to train as efficiently and effectively as possible.

That is certainly possible and negotiable!

At the same time, I assume you're contacting me because you don't want an online 'passepartout', not even an AI-generated program, but a completely personalized plan of action that takes your particular situation and ambitions into account and can be adjusted if necessary. Any temporary adjustments or inquiries are always considered when pricing is determined.

That depends on the time I will invest in the coaching, and this, in turn, depends on several factors:
1) with or without systematic follow-up
2) the sporting discipline (e.g. training programs for swimming and/or triathlon require much more time than (merely) running or cycling)
3) the goal (e.g. a classic question is a marathon, where a program typically only covers a short period of time)
4) what is expected of me as a trainer: everything is negotiable.

Don't hesitate to contact me for a cost estimate.

To a certain extent. As an exercise physiologist, I'm familiar with nutrition immediately before, during, and after exercise. Regarding the regular, daily diet, I refer to a dietitian.