How do I politely tell someone their coaching services are a joke?

I wouldn't say anything to them, but I too don't understand why anyone would pay for this service. About 20 years ago, my running buddy at work was an ultra runner. I went on many long runs with him and other ultra runners on the weekend. All of them happily shared tips on how to train and what equipment to use on ultras. Training for an ultra is not complicated and there are no fast workouts required, although I was surprised at how many of them did really low mileage during the week and relied mostly on a really long long run on the weekend. These days, we also have Internet forums where runners will give advice.

Hgdvs wrote:

Plenty of beginners would go to them. Less intimidating than an expert coach.

Bingo. Considering a round of golf can cost $100 as can a monthly gym membership. $240 for 12 weeks isn't that much. They may think it's worth it to spend $20 a week to have running partners and what not.

Why do people pay $100 a month for a gym when they can exercise for free outside? They do it in part because paying the money makes them more committed.

Moby Dick wrote:

A woman and man posted in a group I belong to that they are offering "UltraRunning Coaching" $260 for a 12 week program that is basically just group runs and "coaching services". The woman offering it has a 5k PR of around 26 mins and her claim to fame is "finishing" ultra marathons, like a recent one where the top female came through in 7:59 while the "Coach" finished around 13:30. I want to say something, like "this is obviously targeting beginners and people who just want to finish, right?" How can I do it without being a LRC dick?

Take their clients. Post underneath them that you have better times and more experience and will do the same 12 week program for $250. If you get too many hits then start jacking up the price.

I can't really see why you'd want to do this aside from wanting to be an LRC dick. They're advertising a service. If people want to buy it that's their business, not yours. If a prospective customer for these folks asks your opinion of their coaching that's different and answering that you think it's a joke isn't being an LRC dick.

not enough info wrote:

A service isn't a joke just because it isn't targeted at you. Also, you don't have to be a successful competitor to be a good coach. There are NFL coaches who were never great football players. There are running coaches who were never elite runners.

Maybe this person's program is a complete waste of money. Maybe it isn't. The information provided isn't really sufficient to draw a conclusion either way.

^^^ I echo this sentiment. This question has come up before, and often times your reaction is one of jealousy. You think that these "slows" don't know their place and should not be coaching, but what is unspoken is that you probably think you are better qualified and that some combination of time/willpower/not caring is the only think stopping you from being a coach.

To all of you "aspiring coaches for profit" out there, your skills as a coach or runner do not matter. Your sales skills do. If you haven't figured it out by now, most "services" suck and rip people off, but your gut reaction of protecting victims is not altruistic - instead, you are just subconsciously defending your right to someday rip people off instead.