Becoming a "certified" coach has a very low barrier to entry.  Did you know a cyclist can become a "USA Cycling" certified coach by taking a correspondence course in a few hours?  And that USA Triathlon churns out coaches in a weekend seminars.  Although there are different levels of coaches within these organizations- and a huge difference in experience, knowledge, and skill set, the average consumer may only know that their coach is "certified" and thus "qualified."  The reality is that an athlete can go from beginner to coach in less than a season!

There are a great number of things you should look for in a coach, and there is a personal mix of the right ingredients you require.  But in general you should be concerned with...

• Experience
• Knowledge / expertise / education
• Demonstration of success and references

There are some key differences that I believe differentiate The Sport Factory.  These include...

• Six National Championship titles and one World Champion titles.
• One of the first coaching companies to produce a written training curriculum for coaches.
• Continuing education provider for USA Triathlon / Cycling.
• Over 15 athletes have achieved professional status while being actively coached by The Sport Factory.
• Head Coach Matt Russ has achieved the highest level of certification by both USA Triathlon and USA Cycling.
• One of the first USA Triathlon Certified Performance Centers in the Country.
• Over 20 years experience in the business of coaching.
• Initiated the "Coaching Scholarship Program" allowing qualified athletes to receive high value services at little to no cost (many of these athletes achieved professional status).
• Worked with athletes in the Olympic development pathway.
• The Sport Factory offers high level swim/bike/run analysis, bike fitting, testing services, and strength/speed/agility services.
• Multi-disciplinary effectiveness in coaching all endurance sports including mountain biking, cyclo cross, road racing, adventure racing, ultra-distance running, and swimming.