Teamwork
In every sport, at all levels, athletes and teams have coaches. In most cases outside of the physique sports, an athlete does not have an opportunity to hire or choose their coach. For a physique competitor, the possibilities and the choices are endless.
Contrary to what most people believe, physique competitions are not individual sports. At least, that is what the best coaches say. “Teamwork is essential.” says Marc Sauvestre, one of Quebec's top coaches and arguably one of Canada's very best, and owner of PhysicGestion.
Physique Coach Marc
Sauvestre spotting IFBB Pro
Kary Odiatu.
(Photo Courtesy: Marc Sauvestre) With a reputation built by years of experience as a professional bodybuilder, Laura Binetti has grown her business, Body by Binetti, to the point where most of her clients come to her by word-of-mouth. Binetti, who is based out of the Greater Toronto area, has worked with her share of overall Canadian bodybuilding champions. She has coached four athletes to their IFBB pro cards, several provincial and regional champions, and multiple winners in the National Wheelchair Championships in the NPC (the U.S. equivalent of the CBBF).
Coach Binetti reiterates the need for coaches in the physique sports. She believes that as an athlete you shouldn't have to think about what to do, you should just do it. If any athlete wants to attain the highest level, they need a coach.
True Experts
Both Marc and Laura are examples of true coaches in the physique competition sport. They are experts in training, nutrition and application, and each has been successful to boot. In spite of all of the winners each has coached, both coaches are quick to point out that their greatest successes are much more common. When an athlete is the best that she or he can be on stage, it excites them. “That is a great accomplishment for me,” says Binetti. Likewise, Sauvestre says: “When an athlete overcomes a challenge in their life to step onstage, it is as great as winning any title, for me.”
Their comments are telling as both coaches refer to a part of the sport that is understated in contest preparation by both athletes and trainers. The psychological, emotional and even spiritual components of the sport must also be considered. It has been said that anyone can train and anyone can diet,
Physique Coach Laura Binetti ensuring proper form and technique is performed in athlete Cheryl Mitchell’s training.
(Photo By: Kaleem Maxwell) However, she also points out that each athlete must learn to motivate themselves through their competition preparation. Coach Sauvestre says, “I recognize the psychological aspects of the sport. If an athlete is not functioning well mentally or emotionally, the body - the physical - will not respond. My athletes tell me that I have the ability to understand them and their character. This is what I believe makes me different from some other coaches. This is how I can help an athlete succeed, beyond the training and nutrition.”
Coach Sauvestre adds however, that the most critical part of the coach-athlete relationship is the attitude of the athlete. An athlete must believe in the person
they have hired.
Continue to Part 3 >>>
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