5 Coaching Red Flags That Sabotage Long-Term Results
Spot these 5 fitness coaching red flags before wasting money on unrealistic promises. Learn how to find a good coach who prioritizes sustainable results over hype on this episode of Get Sculpted.
If you've ever been tempted by a "lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks" promise or felt like you're the problem when another program fails you, this episode is going to encourage you to trust your gut.
In this episode of Get Sculpted, we pull back the curtain on the fitness coaching industry and call out the shady tactics that keep women stuck in cycles of frustration, self-blame, and yo-yo dieting. We want you to know that this isn't just another rant about bad coaches. It's a roadmap for finding a good fitness coach who actually has your best interests at heart, plus the exact fitness coaching red flags to watch out for, before you waste another dollar or ounce of motivation.
We get brutally honest about unrealistic fitness promises, cookie-cutter meal plans, all-or-nothing coaching styles, and the manipulative marketing that preys on women's insecurities. We share stories of being burned, what we've witnessed firsthand in the industry, and the green flags that signal you've found coaching worth investing in. Whether you're researching your first coach or recovering from a program that left you worse off than when you started, you'll leave this episode equipped to spot the difference between a great marketer and a great coach.
Here's what we cover:
Why unrealistic fitness promises like "reset your metabolism in 10 days" are designed to exploit your vulnerability, not help you
How to choose a fitness coach who prioritizes sustainable fitness results over flashy six-week transformations
The dangerous cycle of false hope, metabolic damage, and self-blame that extreme programs create
Why personalized fitness coaching matters more than generic meal plans and workout templates
Red flag – coaches who ignore your lifestyle, preferences, and real-world constraints
What a realistic fitness transformation timeline actually looks like (and why that's a good thing)
The education gap that keeps you dependent on programs instead of empowering you to make your own choices
How all-or-nothing coaching sabotages your progress and what flexible accountability looks like instead
Why community support is non-negotiable for sustainable weight loss for women, especially moms and women over 40
Green flags to look for – transparency about timelines, scaffolded habit-building, and coaches who actually listen
This episode is a gut-check for anyone scrolling Instagram, wondering which program to try next. Finding a fitness coach isn't about finding the loudest claims or the best before-and-after photos, but finding someone who sees you as a whole person, not just a transaction. The right coach won't promise you the world in three weeks. They'll build a foundation with you that lasts years and beyond.
“If a coach is promising you miracle results, you're not getting a coach. What you're getting is a really good marketer.” -Coach Marilynn
Ready to avoid fitness scams and find coaching that actually empowers you? DM us or tag us on Instagram @getsculpted.ca to share your biggest coaching red flag experience, or let us know what green flag you're looking for in your next program. Your transformation deserves better than empty promises.
Connect with Get Sculpted
Thanks for joining us on this episode of Get Sculpted! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help us reach even more women ready to cut through the noise and get the real deal on fat loss, muscle building, and what it really takes to build their 2.0 sculpted self inside and out.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
More about the Get Sculpted Podcast
Welcome to Get Sculpted, the podcast for women who want to lose fat, build muscle, and reset their metabolism with science-based strategies and actionable advice.
We go beyond quick fixes and fad diets to give you sustainable fat loss strategies, strength training tips for women, and the mindset shifts that help you achieve lasting results. Think less guessing, more confidence, and habits that actually fit your lifestyle.
No matter if you’re just starting out or ready to level up your training, this podcast gives women the tools to lose fat, build muscle, and feel stronger in their bodies.
We’re your hosts, Jordanna, Marilynn, and Tijana, fitness pros with over 20 years of combined experience and 1,000+ client transformations, including a focus on helping women optimize their metabolism and build strength. You’ll get strategies designed for real bodies and real lives.
We’ll cover questions like:
Can you lose fat and build muscle at the same time?
What is the best way for women to lose fat without losing muscle?
How do I start strength training as a beginner woman?
Why am I not losing weight even though I’m working out and eating healthy?
How can I stop yo-yo dieting for good?
Is cardio necessary for fat loss?
If you’ve been searching for sustainable fat loss, women’s nutrition, and strength training that actually works, you’re in the right place. Join us every week to sculpt a stronger body and a more empowered 2.0 life.
Connect with us on Instagram at @getsculted.ca
The unedited podcast transcript for this episode of the Get Sculpted podcast follows:
COACHING RED FLAG #1: Unrealistic Promises
Marilynn [00:01:46]: Okay, so this first red flag is one, if I'm being honest, actually makes me really, really angry because I was personally victimized by this red flag. And that is coaches who make unrealistic promises…[Detailed discussion from Marilynn, with insights from Jordanna and Tijana, breaking down why quick fix promises are dangerous, how they prey on vulnerabilities, and what to look for instead, including the importance of realistic timelines, habit change, and sustainable results. Explanation of why the Get Sculpted approach avoids short timelines and instead recommends foundational commitments.]
COACHING RED FLAG #2: Cookie Cutter Plans
Tijana [00:07:38]: Let's talk about red flag number two, which is cookie cutter plans. So this means it's one size fits all. And we're not talking about, like, you have one system, but we're talking about, like, everybody gets the same workouts, everybody gets the same nutrition…[Conversation focuses on the importance of personalization, why copy-paste plans don’t work, and the value of a coaching relationship that adapts to individual needs, culture, schedules, and setbacks. Practical examples of how the Get Sculpted team builds dynamic, individualized plans and why dialogue is central to real coaching.]
COACHING RED FLAG #3: No Education or Empowerment
Jordanna [00:13:46]: It is no education or empowerment. This is the type of coach or program that gives you the plan and doesn't teach you why or how it works…[Key points by Jordanna and Marilynn on why understanding the rationale behind your plan is crucial to maintaining results and gaining independence. They discuss how lack of education keeps clients dependent and unsure, and why a coaching process should empower you to understand, adapt, and own your results long-term.]
COACHING RED FLAG #4: All-or-Nothing Coaching & Shame-Based Tactics
Marilynn [00:17:55]: Yes. Red flag. Number four is the all or nothing coaches. So we kind of touched on this a little bit. But these are the coaches who make you feel completely ashamed or make you feel guilty if you deviate from the plan…[Discussion covers how shame-based strategies and perfectionist expectations stunt progress, foster guilt, and lead to burnout or dropping out. The Get Sculpted hosts share how real change requires flexible, supportive partnerships—and how genuine coaching builds trust and adapts to real life.]
/h2>COACHING RED FLAG #5: No Community or Accountability Tijana [00:21:35]: All right, Red flag number five. So there's no community or accountability. And this is a little bit of a hot topic because some people will say, like, you know, I'm a lone wolf, and I've always been a lone wolf, and I just want to call you out there for a second because if you have that mindset and like you're kind of feeling stuck, this is why you're stuck…
[Segment addresses why an active community is critical for success, provides accountability, and lessens feelings of isolation. The hosts highlight how Get Sculpted builds multiple levels of support for clients at different comfort levels—one-on-one, small group, and larger group dynamics.]
RECAP: What to Look For in a Great Fitness Coach
Jordanna [00:27:15]: So if we were to like recap everything that you've heard today, there's really five key red flags that you want to be aware of when you're exploring your health and fitness journey and the solutions that you're thinking about for yourself.[Quick summary of all five red flags and a timely reminder that successful coaching is all about personalization, real support, sustainable learning, and growing in a positive, shame-free community. Both Jordanna and Marilynn share personal reflections on what they wish they’d known before they ever hired a coach, emphasizing the importance of genuine care, future-focused support, and finding a coach who pays attention, listens, and empowers.]
FINAL TAKEAWAY & HOW TO CONNECT
Jordanna [00:31:16]: So, as we wrap up this episode, I hope that you have an opportunity to reflect as you are making your health and fitness choices for 2026. Make sure that you're making the one that best aligns with your life that is rooted in sustainability, education, results. And maybe that means that you are wanting to learn more about Get Sculpted, and we would absolutely love that. [Details on where to find Get Sculpted, encouragement to share the episode with a friend, and a thank-you for joining this episode.]