Trainers Overrated?

Tomac in my opinion works with the best trainer in the sport... He's father.

Chase Sexton works with Peter Park, just doesn't live with him or train at the same track every day.  Eli's Dad has been his trainer the entire time and their "facility" is Dad's property.  I would almost guarantee Anderson works with someone too.

Fitness trainers are good.  It's just good to have someone else work all of that stuff out for you and you don't have to think about it.  The vast majority of pro's have someone doing that stuff for them.  Riding coaches, at a certain point, you don't really need them; at least not full time any way.  Maybe spend a few days working with a guy just to get a different set of eyes on you but overall you know what you need to do.

LOL, if they don't need riding coaches, most of us here at Vital wouldn't have anything to do.

If ya look at the history of aldon's...most of them did not like it from how I took it...

Every rider you mentioned has some form of a riding coach/dad that helps them. At that level it’s not about teaching technique basics but about noticing bad habits that have developed and pointing them out. 

Tomac-dad

sexton-dad

anderson- broc 

Every legit sport in the world has trainers or coaches. You would be stupid not to have someone watching you practice and structuring your practice. You also don't need to be a top pro to be a good trainer/coach. Most other sports the trainer isn't necessarily a former top participant. Hell, the best golfers in the world all have swing coaches and none of them could make the cut at a PGA event. 

I get what you’re saying though with the whole facility, trainer type deal.
 

I guess they have all been through it at some point, training with other riders full time. Now they know what they need and are probably aware of what it takes to be their best, so a facility isn’t necessary. Can just dip in and out when you want it/need it. i.e. tomac going to the farm for a week or two, Anderson and Sexton going to the Honda and Kawi test tracks and ride with people they choose. Kenny, AC similar. Those elite guys now seem to like having the autonomy with their deal. They definitely have the right eyes on them to help with on the bike/off the bike.

What is the criteria needed to be an “official trainer”? 
 

There is no criteria. Just say you were this or that and convince a high level rider to get with you; and walla, you are a professional trainer. My wife has a MS degree in Sports Training/Rehab, has multiple training certifications, and knows moto very well. She is more qualified than 99% of the moto trainers out there. Most of it is former pros trying to stay relevant in the sport because they spent most of their lives doing nothing more than dirt bikes and know nothing else. I guess it is a good gig if you can get it.

https://usmca.org

Turning Champions into Champions 

Sexton has Peter Park, Eli has his Dad. Jason doesn’t use a trainer, but he’s educated himself and is disciplined in his training. 
 

 There is a lot that goes into training, anyone can go train themselves into good shape, but trainers that are educated will get you as far as your body will take you, and some will show you how to het past that. 
 

 I think Troll is going about the training game the best, he’s smart on the bike, he’s smart in the gym, and now he’s going to a school to learn diet and it’s effects. Right now, no trainer has all those tools. 

I’d agree, but let’s not kid ourselves, Eli literally hit the genetic lottery and would kill in any endurance sport he chose to participating in. 

Most of speed is just innate talent. If someone is riding 3-4 times a week for 3-4 months, more training or coaching won't make a huge difference. You can't train your way into speed like you do in cycling or running. Having said that, when you are trying to shave 1-2 seconds off a 2 minute lap time, every bit makes a difference. 

It does not matter how good you are at riding, it always helps to have someone watching you ride to let you know where and how you are losing time to other riders. Maybe video of them riding is enough to see this, but it still helps to always have eyes on the rider and their competition. Sometimes, the best riding coaches are not ex-pros. Masterpool's parents were professional skiers, with little knowledge of motocross racing. They were just really good at seeing how people go fast on a motorcycle. I stayed at their place in Nevada for a couple weeks around 2007; it was great, as good as the time I spent with Ryno before that. I am sure Aldon is the same way. He's seen James and RV and RC ride so much, he knows what generates speed.

As far as off-the-bike training, plenty of people can do this on their own, but a lot of riders, especially young ones, have no idea what they are doing, and will under or over train. You just need a strong cardio base (lots of zone2/3) so you can run a heart rate at 180 for 35 minutes, and you need the strength in your legs, core, and back, to maintain proper technique that long. Most of that comes from riding a ton, but cycling, running, swimming, lifting, plyometrics, HIIT, can round out a program.

do you think the schofeild thing kinda set the sights on how quickly a trainers relationship can be very quickly script flipped on a family?

Jason uses broc tickle as his coach. 

Colt Nichols has a good perspective on it in a recent SML podcast. He said he doesn’t “need” a trainer. He knows how to do everything. But having someone working with you and pushing you every day sure helps. He also said it helps because he doesn’t have to track any of his training. Will Hahn does all the tracking and scheduling so that he can simply focus on riding and training. 

Remember all those Heavyweight Titles Tyson won without a trainer? 

Yeah, neither do I. 

So you know this how?  You have seen his V02 max numbers?  These allegations are silly and take away from athletes working harder and accepting only the best from themselves.  RC is the best example of that.  

I would argue he has had great guidance especially not overdoing as an amateur and his lasting career is because he has great people around him.  Also, moto and SX is not an endurance sport.  Their longest race is around 35 min.  

I would bet that all the top riders have a professional trainer that they work with at least on a weekly basis.  And they probably have more specialized trainers to help them work through injuries.  I would be curios to know how many of them are working with chefs, that seems to be the new trend in professional training these days.  

Eli has worked/trained with Ryan Hughes in the early stages of his Pro Career. There are videos of them working together.

https://youtu.be/LmjQJmQJyNU

This can't be what the factory guys are doing? Looks like some goofy shit to me. 

Not overrated.... but if are like Anderson and have been trained by the best for years.... he's got the knowledge, why would he need to keep cutting such a big check? Well unless a rider is the type that has to have someone always screaming in their ear just to get the work done... but if they are self motivated... and know a number of good routines... I see no reason to keep paying... 

I disagree, if you ask dungey, or RV I'd bet they'd say the same.

Also said it before,  I don't think RC beats MC in 2001 without him.  The jump he made in one year was massive.

2011 outdoors, who was Reed working with?

All of the guys you mentioned had "official" trainers like Aldon when they were younger. As others pointed out, Tomac used to work with Ryno and now his dad. I would also bet that most of them still do have trainers in some manner but they don't have to "give thanks" every time the camera is in their faces. 

You'd be surprised then. I bet that stuff is exactly what they are doing. Kettle Bells are where its at for a lot of modern fitness trainers.