Coach at a Starting Strength Gym
Best in industry pay to produce best in industry results
Learn About the Coach Recruiting Program
Head of Recruiting, Inna Koppel, discussed the launch of the Coach Recruiting Program with the creator of Starting Strength, Mark Rippetoe
Ray Gillenwater, Co-Founder of Starting Strength Gyms, and Inna Koppel, Head of Recruiting, discuss current openings and how to become a coach at a Starting Strength Gym.
Inna Koppel and Andrew Lewis discuss the apprenticeship program at Starting Strength Gyms.
Coaching Levels
Apprentice Coaches
- Limited or no experience with Starting Strength
- Plays a supporting role during group training sessions
- Read more about Apprenticeship, here.
Coaches
- Platform ready, has passed the platform exam, or SSC
- Can get anyone moving in line with the Starting Strength model
- Leads group training sessions
Head Coaches
- Certified Starting Strength Coach
- Can get anyone moving in line with the model
- Leads group training sessions
- Leads Coach development
How to Become a Coach at a Starting Strength Gym
1Learn
Read Starting Strength Basic Barbell Training and Practical Programming. Twice.
2Train
Start your Novice Linear Progression, even if you have lifting experience.
3Coach
Gain hands-on experience by coaching friends, family, and anyone that will let you.
4Study
Enroll in the Coach Prep Course and follow the learning curriculum.
5Contact Us
Committed coaches are assigned to a recruiter for assistance with job placement.
Starting Strength Gym Locations
Complete the form below to see if a gym near you is hiring
- Ready to Get Started?Fill out the form to talk to a recruiter
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours per week do Coaches work?
The standard model is to have two coaching teams of two people that work 4.5 hours per day, five to six days per week. Each coaching team consists of a Coach and an Apprentice Coach. At least one of the coaching teams must include an SSC. Coaching teams typically work the first half of the day or the second half of the day. Most coaches work around 30 hours per week.
What qualifications does a coach need to have other than the above?
Coaches must be clear thinkers and clear communicators. Applying the Starting Strength model to a variety of trainees in real time requires the ability to quickly identify and correct problems, which means getting the lifter to move the way you want them to. Coaches must possess the soft skills required to navigate a variety of personality types in order to keep all trainees progressing as quickly a possible.
If I join the Prep Course, am I guaranteed a job?
No. The Prep Course doesn't guarantee anything other than being exposed to the material. Learning the material and putting the concepts into practice is what will make you a high potential coaching prospect.
Does the Prep Course require that I find my own clients?
They don't need to be paying clients, but you must find a way to coach others in order to complete the Prep Course. If you don't have the means to do this, contact a recruiter for available Apprentice Coach positions.
I heard the Starting Strength Coach certificate has a 15% pass rate, should I be concerned?
If you are committed to the process, follow the Prep Course curriculum, gain experience coaching professionally, and are capable of learning the academic material, you are likely to pass the SSC. The certification is the most advanced in the industry because our standards are the highest in the industry. Earning the SSC means that you've demonstrated to our staff that you have enough experience with the Starting Strength model to make anyone stronger. Note, only Head Coach positions require the SSC.
How is the SSC different from other fitness certifications?
If the certification promises to make you a "trainer" in a weekend, or promises that you'll pass or your money back, it is not valuable. Our certification is valuable because Starting Strength fans understand that a Starting Strength Coach has the ability to help them achieve their goal: getting stronger.
How long does it take to become a Starting Strength Coach?
If you're a skilled coach in another domain, have completed the Novice Linear Progression, possess a background in science or engineering, and are committed to moving as quickly as possible? Potentially less than a year. If you're new to coaching, Starting Strength, and the physical sciences, it will take longer. Read this step by step guide to becoming an SSC.
What if I want to become an SSC and am not interested in working at a franchise gym?
The process outlined in this website is for prospective coaches that want to work at a Starting Strength Gym. For general information about becoming an SSC, go to: https://startingstrength.com/careers
