Most coaching falls into one of three main categories: life, business, or wellness coaching. While they're relatively new to the general public, thanks to the Internet, titles like "life coach," "wellness coach," and "business coach" have become household terms. 

The multi-billion-pound coaching industry has grown at warp speed over the past decade, as tens of thousands of people hire coaches for support in reaching goals related to these various aspects of their lives. 

There are no signs of slowing down, either. Study after study has shown that while only a small percentage of people have hired coaches, a considerable percentage of people plan to do so in the near future. 

The International Coach Federation places the number of people working as  coaches worldwide at upwards of 53,000, and demand only keeps growing. Some experts predict that coaching will grow at a rate of 6.7% through the year 2022.      

Why is the industry growing so fast and raising such popularity? 

Here are some of the most significant factors behind the rise of the coaching industry:

‍1. Coaching is effective.

The International Coaching Federation surveyed people who'd worked with coaches, and a staggering 99% 0f them reported being satisfied with the coaching experience . As many as 96% of those respondents said they'd repeat the process. (Source: ICF 2009 Global Coaching Client Study)

More than two-thirds of the people who responded said coaching helped them improve their work performance, and 80% said it helped them improve their self-confidence. 

The proof is in the numbers: coaching works.

2. The options are endless. 

No matter what you are seeking help with - finances, relationships, health, productivity, career moves - there is a coach for it. As a client, you have almost limitless options when you are choosing a coach whose certification and specialty matches with your needs. 

And again, thanks to the rise of the internet, geography isn't necessarily a factor when it comes to selecting a coach. Video chat, email, and great software can provide an experience similar to meeting with someone in person, you can easily connect with coaches from all over the world via video call. 

3. Celebrities are using coaching and love it.

Some of the most famous people in the world have hired coaches and gone on to talk about the experience. These renowned coaching clients include Oprah Winfrey, Metallica, Serena Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Clinton, Hugh Jackman, and Andre Agassi. 

The software magnate Bill Gates even gave coaching a kind word when he said, "Everyone needs a coach. We all need people to give us feedback. That's how we improve.” Just like so many other things, celebrities are often the first to start a trend.