Chris Harnish is the owner of Tradewind Sports, whose mission is to provide leading edge coaching, athletic product support and management services to athletes and teams of all levels. As a coach, Chris combines his education as an Exercise Physiologist with more than 20 years of athletic and 10 years coaching experience to bring a comprehensive and systematic approach to the art and science of training.   He has raced in some the biggest races in the U.S. and abroad, including the FBD Milk Rás, in Ireland.

Chris has directed Elite teams, as well as founded and managed one of New England’s most successful junior teams.  The author of peer reviewed research, book chapters and numerous articles, Chris believes that the key to coaching is communication.  He currently coaches a broad range of athletes, including Professional Cyclist Isaac Howe and is a staff member of the Richmond Pro Cycling Team. 

Chris Harnish talks training with Billy Mills, the 1964 10,000 m Gold Medalist.

Read on for our philosophy, or read what Chris’ clients say

View a detailed coaching CV here.

SHORT CUTS ONLY LEAD TO SHORT GAINS! 

Chris’ philosophy is ONE ATHLETE, MANY PROGRAMS; to that end, each athlete is treated as an individual without the use of software-based training programs or popular books.  While our training methods remain largely the same, our programs are all custom and revolve around communication with each athlete.  We recognize that some athletes respond far different than the norm; we don’t see this as a challenge, but an opportunity to learn!  If what has worked for others, doesn’t work for you, we will find what does work for you. 

We’re also specialists with many of the latest training technologies, most notably the power meter, going all the way may to the first Power Taps in 1999.  We strive to understand the adaptation process not through oversimplification of data with pre-packaged software, but with real analysis.  We cannot emphasize enough the importance of skill mastery over volume and intensity; this applies to all sports, including weight lifting, running, skiing and skating.  Our focus is on the whole athlete, not one component.

Athletes are people; they live, they breathe and think, and many have lives beyond sport.  Their success is different from each other, but it only comes from accepting limitations (internal and external) and valuing true improvement over results.  We want each athlete to break past their internal limits, and achieve their real goals.