Choosing a trainer

[White Lightning]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Everyone has had a lot of good things to say. I do really appreciate the comment left about how trainers should be able to read people. I think that is really important. This is all really a lot to think about . Thanks again!!

[Trainer Monkey]

The thing is,you can train a guy,all you want. He can look like an absolute monster in the gym. He can do everything right in the gym. What else can you really do at that point? The gym and the ring are very different animals,so just because a fighter goes down in a fight,doesnt mean he was improperly prepared,it might just be he didnt have it that night. Happens all the time.
Unlike team sports,you cant have a good game even if the rest of the team sucks,and only one guy is going to walk out of there a winner.

[Youngblood]

I've been in 2 types of environments. 2 gyms. One, a toxic one. It had 2 really great teaching coaches, but others who overwhelmed the gym with politics, personal vedettas and an overall shitty outlook and approach. It was truly hard to get past their influence on the place to appreciate how good the coaching of others was. I learned all I could there, but ended up having to get out of it and the negativity, and even danger that was there.

The gym I go to now, well, the coaching is all about the fighters and people who attend. We are all very much like a family, or group of friends. It is new and we just had our first year anniversary. It doesn't have the depth of experience the other place had, and that is understood (I think about 10 years experience is the max)...but we are all learning together, which is also understood. I've grown leaps and bounds in it because of it's focus. My main coach, well he is still learning and we are moving along together. I feel I could be learning more, faster and maybe technically better, but also...I would not want to trade that for losing the camaraderie we all have, and enjoying doing what I/we do.

The day may come when I truly need more then is here, but I hope not. Hopefully we can all progress together.

I guess what I am trying to get at, is good coaching is more then just who knows the most, or has the better technique. Atleast for amateurs. This sport should be fun, be enjoyed. I have that now and hope I always do.