In my series on Rural Social Tech and How It Works, I’ve thus far focused on living technologies I actively use. “Circuit Riders” are the first extinct tech I’m attending to—because I think we’re due for a revival.
What Were Circuit Riders?
Carol Ryrie Brink introduced me to the concept in Caddie Woodlawn, set in 1864. By the time of her writing in 1935, young readers needed introduction both to the passenger pigeon1 and to the circuit rider:
In those days the circuit riders, or traveling ministers, served large territories, riding from place to place and holding services in cabins or schoolhouses. Mr. Tanner was one of these. Weathered by sun and rain and snow, he rode from day to day over a parish which covered most of western Wisconsin. Weddings and christenings were put off until his arrival, and sometimes he found new-made graves awaiting his benediction. The settlers always opened their homes to him, and it was a great occasion when they could entertain the circuit rider. Everyone stood in awe of him. He was not only a man of God who could wrestle in spiritual battle with angels and spirits of evil, but it was said that there was not a man on his circuit who could show a strength of muscle equal to his.
You Want a Traveling Minister?
No. I want a weightlifting coach.
Coaching on a Circuit
I recently hosted a vacationing friend who, when home, attends a Starting Strength gym. She’s a member, not a coach—but her feedback over two weeks improved my squat form considerably.
In my village[sic], we have five people who lift with varying levels of seriousness, and a fully trained and certified lifting coach would have a rough go of running a profitable gym. But—could we five chip in to pay a starting strength coach to visit us quarterly? To give us the physical feedback needed to improve our form and results? We already have equipment, aptitude, and attention.
Why Not A Virtual Weightlifting Coach?
For honing physical skills, it’s good to get physical feedback. People who are serious lifters, or who like weekly check-ins, might hire a virtual coach in addition. In 2020, I switched from in-studio ballet lessons to virtual ballet lessons—they were worthwhile, but upon reflection, given limited funds, I personally would rather pay for occasional lessons in meatspace, than frequent lessons with someone who can’t see my form 360, or hold a fingertip to the muscle I need to engage.
Accountability and stick-to-it-ive-ness can come from within, or can be helped with outside assists from locals, regardless of skill level and coaching persona. A gym buddy who can “show up with me on Wednesday” can completely succeed at his role, without having 4 years of Vaganova Method Teacher Training under his belt.
But giving finer feedback on technique and form? Crafting the next 3 months’ programming to hilight personal strengths or to shore up personal limitations? This seems well-suited to quarterly visits from a technical expert.
As an added (hypothetical) social bonus, my local, “show up on Wednesday” friends hear the coach say “use your leg drive” during bench presses, and add that to their spotting commentary on a regular basis, and all boats are lifted by the rising informational baseline.
How Does It Look?
I could imagine this congealing into two different possible business models. Travel today is more pleasant than it was in 1860, so I’m optimistic that riding circuit in 2030 wouldn’t entail the QOL hits that Mr. Tanner took on.
One is that young coaches get their certifications, then spend a few years riding circuit while they decide where they want to settle down and open their own gym. As they settle, the circuit riding mantle is taken on by newer younger coaches.
The cozier (imo) option would be a veteran coach who is settled in some large market for the majority of the year, and comes with spouse & kids to get paid while vacationing where the lifting clients are, once a quarter.
What Else Fits?
Chew on the idea. If for this specific request, you know a lifting coach who would be interested in quarterly travel, let me know directly. If there are other skills that would be well transferred by the circuit rider technology, I’m glad to hear that as well—directly or in the comments.
which Brink provides in ch. 3