Fred “Biggie” Smalls explains what to look for in a bodybuilding coach… and how to be a better client in order to succeed.

Fred “Biggie” Smalls understands both sides of the aisle between being a bodybuilder and a bodybuilding coach. He’s been competing as a pro bodybuilder for years but also is well known for his exceptional skill as a bodybuilding coach and trainer. That’s why, during our video interview, we asked for his insight into how to find the right bodybuilding coach in a sea of thousands all claiming to be the best. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Fred “Biggie” Smalls details the most important factors in building a successful relationship between a client and bodybuilding coach.

With the boom of the internet, so too has the world of bodybuilding coaches grown. But not all coaches are created equal. While we know the big names in the pro bodybuilding industry such as Charles Glass, Hany Rambod, and Psycho Fitness to name a few – there are thousands more all claiming to be the best option for aspiring bodybuilders.

So how do you know who to choose and who’s trying to rip you off? Unfortunately, part of the process is trial and error. But there are ways to more quickly recognize what qualities to look for in a coach before you waste too much time and money.

During our conversation with Fred “Biggie” Smalls, we asked him what is the most important thing to look for in a bodybuilding coach. He not only answered that – he also detailed how a bodybuilder can be a better client. At the end of the day, a bodybuilding coach can only be as good as his or her relationship to the client. If you’re not meeting the coach half way you might accidentally be sabotaging your own chances at success.

The key thing that bodybuilders need to realize, is that coaching in bodybuilding is an evolving process. A good coach is knowledgable of what a person will need – but each body can react differently. So there is some adjusting and adapting that needs to take place. A good bodybuilding coach will analyze how your body is reacting and adjust his programming to get closer and closer to fine-tuning your physique.

What’s important for a bodybuilder or client to do – is not get frustrated by this process. Or worse, to start ignoring certain details of the program because the bodybuilder is angry at the getting results fast enough. A coach can’t be with a person every second of the day. If a person thinks they know better than their coach and breaks from the program – that might be throwing off a long term game plan.

In the end it all comes down to trust. Make sure your coach has the right credentials and references. That way if you run into a setback, you can have some faith that it’s not the coach having a lack of knowledge. Instead, it might be part of the process of building a relationship, learning your body, and eventually building you towards success.

You can watch Fred “Biggie” Smalls explain in more detail by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.

Derek Dufour
Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.