Talk to Your Coach for the Secret Sauce to Gains (and Not Screwing Yourself)

Here’s the deal: a good coach isn’t a psychic. We’re not sitting here with a crystal ball, guessing why you’re wincing or what your personal best lifts look like. If you want a fitness program that’s truly yours—built for your body, your life, your quirks—you’ve got to speak up. Communication with your trainer isn’t just a perk; it’s the line between smashing it and sidelining yourself. Let’s dig into what good communication with a coach looks like—and how it keeps you in the game instead of out of it.

The Silent Hero Trap: Jack’s Story

Back in 2018, I had this client—let’s call him Jack. Man, Jack was a force. I trained him at a small private studio in San Diego, California, and every time he walked in it was like watching Wolverine gearing up for a cage match—full send, no hesitation, sweat flying like he was auditioning for a superhero flick. I’d think, “Jack’s got this.” Then one day, I got a text: “Hey, I’m out. Shoulder’s done. Surgery’s next.” Wait, what?

I asked more. Turns out Jack’s shoulder had been nagging him for months. He never said a word. No “Hey, this feels off” or “Can we adjust something?” Nothing. He just pushed through ‘til it blew up. Here’s the sting: if he had talked to me, we could’ve dodged that bullet. We would have run some movement screening to spot the weak links, done form checks to make sure he wasn’t muscling through bad habits, and hammered mobility work to keep those shoulders humming. Jack could’ve ended up stronger than ever—maybe even flexing pain-free today. Instead, he wound up on the operating table, probably muttering about how dumbbells betrayed him.

Takeaway one: Effective coach communication starts with you. Don’t wait ‘til it’s too late. 

Open up.

Talk to your coach!

Tailoring Your Program: Your Fit, Not a One-Size-Fits-None

A real trainer doesn’t toss you a generic plan like it’s a gym flyer. We’re here to build a personalized fitness program that’s all you—your goals, your limits, your “I’d rather nap than sprint” days. But I can’t dial it in if you’re playing mute. Got a cranky hip from that time you “totally aced” a pickup game? Tell me. Hate planks but want to pull heavy? Say it. Joints popping like popcorn? Let’s hear it.

Good communication with a coach means laying it out—your strengths, your struggles, your weird hang-ups. That’s how we craft something that fits you, not some faceless gym bro. With Jack, we would have caught that shoulder glitch early—screened his range, tweaked his form, leaned hard into mobility. Silence didn’t help him; it just delayed the fix.

No Question’s Too Odd—Just Ask

At Prolific, I want you comfy enough to throw anything at me. “Is this tweak normal?” “Why’s my neck sore after squats?” “Can I lift after downing a whole lasagna?” Bring it on. A solid coach-client vibe lives on that back-and-forth. If you’re shy about asking—or think I’ll scoff because you’re not Captain America yet—we’re not clicking. I’m here to get you results, not to judge your learning curve.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t hide a weird noise from your car guy, right? So don’t clam up when your back’s creaking like an old rocking chair. Injury prevention through communication beats stubbornness every time. Ask the quirky stuff. Flag the little pains. Tell me your kid’s why you skipped deadlifts. That’s how we keep you moving forward, not benched.

The Win: Stronger, Smarter, Still Grinning

When you nail communication with your trainer, good things roll in. Your program fits like your favorite boots—tough but comfy. You skip dumb injuries because we catch ‘em early. You get fitter, stronger, happier, all while keeping your sense of humor. Jack could have been hitting new highs in 2018 instead of prepping for surgery. Don’t repeat his quiet game.

So, next time something’s off, or you’re wondering about your plan, or you just need to vent about life derailing your gym groove—talk to me. Text, shout, send a carrier pigeon. I’m your coach, not a mind reader. Let’s build something awesome, not patch you up after you’ve gone full Wolverine on yourself.

Big takeaway- Talk to Your Coach:  Good communication with your coach = personalized fitness + injury prevention + zero “wish I’d said something” moments. Speak up, save your body, and true long-term progress with your health and fitness.