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Powerlifting and Fitness Articles by Matt Gary, CSCS
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About Matt Gary: Matt Gary is 40 years old and has been a competitive, drug-free powerlifter for 18 years. His educational background includes a BS in Kinesiological Science from the University of Maryland. He is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) via the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Matt, along with his wife Suzanne "Sioux-z" Hartwig-Gary, own and operate Supreme Sports Performance & Training (SSPT). SSPT is Maryland's premier strength and conditioning facility catering to powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters, strongman competitors, and anyone who is serious about strength training. Matt's clients include high school and collegiate athletes, powerlifters from novice to elite, and the general population.
Matt is an active member of the USAPL where he serves as the Chairman of the Coaching Committee, a member of the Raw Committee, national referee, and coach. His coaching resume includes:
- USAPL Coach of the Year - 2012
- Head Coach USA Women’s Open World Team 2010 - 2012 IPF World Championships
- Head Coach USA Men’s Team 2009 IWGA World Games
- Head Coach Atlantic Region, Quest Invitational – 2009 & 2010 Arnold Sports Festival
- Head Coach Midwest Region, Quest Invitational – 2008 Arnold Sports Festival
- Head Coach USA Men’s Team 2008 NAPF North American Regionals
- Assistant Coach USA Men's & Women's Teams 2012 IPF Classics Powerlifting World Cup
- Assistant Coach USA Men’s Open Team 2005 – 2008, 2010 IPF World Championships
- Assistant Coach USA Men’s & Women’s Teams 2009 IPF Masters World Championships
- Assistant Coach USA Women’s Team 2009 IWGA World Games
- Assistant Coach USA Women’s Team 2008 NAPF North American Regionals
- Assistant Coach USA Women’s Open Team 2003, 2005 – 2008 IPF World Championships
- Personal coach for more than 40 powerlifters from novice to elite
Matt (pictured on right with a 600 lbs raw deadlift) has competed in three different weight divisions, from 198 to 242, and currently competes in the 220-pound weight class. He is a 4-time Maryland state champion and won the 2004 USAPL American Open Powerlifting Championships. Matt's articles focus on various aspects of strength training and powerlifting. Comments, discussion, and questions about these articles or any other strength endeavor are always welcome and may be sent to MLGary72@gmail.com.
For additional information about SSPT, please visit http://www.supremesportspt.com or follow their videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/SupremeSportsPT |
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Articles
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Requisites for Success
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
The past three months have been some of the most exhilarating of my entire life. In June 2012, I was as an assistant coach on the USA teams at the inaugural IPF Classics Powerlifting World Cup in Stockholm, Sweden
Posted on
8/27/2012 |
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Upholding the Standard
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
Mike Tomlin is known for his no-nonsense, straightforward, and unwavering demeanor. He often preaches the Steelers’ mantra known as the “standard.” Coach Tomlin often refers to a standard of expectation and performance.
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3/23/2012 |
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A Gym Rat’s Guide to the One-Rep Max
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
Show me a person who doesn’t want to be strong and I’ll show you someone who doesn’t get off the couch very often. The ability to move heavy objects and perform physically demanding tasks is just plain cool. When you’re strong, you don’t have to
Posted on
9/19/2010 |
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Training Specificity for Powerlifters
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
Navigating the tortuous road to athletic achievement requires a comprehensive roadmap. Motivated trainees are constantly searching for the latest protocol that will transport their performance to the next level.
Posted on
1/3/2010 |
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A Powerlifter's Guide to Attempt Selection
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” - This famous quote epitomizes the competitive spirit that permeates sports in our society. While this attitude is entirely appropriate in many sports arenas, it doesn’t make much sense in powerlifting.
Posted on
5/11/2009 |
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Periodization and the Annual Training Plan - Part One
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
Serious and quantifiable improvement, in any quest, necessitates specific goals and objectives with imposed deadlines. If you merely want to get stronger this year, then visit your local gym and start working out. But, if you wanted to squat 500 pounds by June 1, then clearly defined and methodical training is essential.
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4/11/2008 |
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2008 Arnold Sports Festival Wrap-up
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
The Arnold Sports Festival celebrated its 20th year of excellence in showcasing a variety of sports performance. The festival is held annually in Columbus, Ohio on the first weekend in March. This year’s celebration was held Friday, February 29 through Sunday, March 2, and hosted 39 events including 14 Olympic sports. USA Powerlifting joined the festival this year and put on a tremendous display of competitive powerlifting that included lifters from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.
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3/19/2008 |
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Discipline and Regret
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
In 1983, my sixth grade geography teacher was Spero Tshontikidis. In addition to teaching, Mr. Tshontikidis was a competitive powerlifter in the ADFPA. He brought powerlifting to our school and convinced the principal to allow him to start a powerlifting team. The first day he mentioned it to the class I thought powerlifting sounded cool and decided to give it a try. After all, what eleven-year-old boy doesn't want to grow up to be big and strong?
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2/4/2008 |
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The Pull-Up
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
If the squat is the king of all exercises, then the pull-up should be acknowledged with the same royalty. Simply stated, the pull-up is the squat for the upper body. The pull-up is an upper body compound pulling exercise where the body is suspended by straightened, fully extended arms, then pulled up until the elbows are bent and the head is higher than the hands or bar from which you are pulling.
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1/7/2008 |
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Rage Against the Machines
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
There is no easy way out when it comes to getting stronger. Gaining strength requires hard work and takes time. Novices can make strength gains and hit personal bests in every workout. More experienced trainees cannot make similar gains. Just because training with machines may save time, do not be the fool that strolls down that path. Machines make good coat racks.
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12/17/2007 |
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A Powerlifter's Guide to Making Weight
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
The reality of competing in powerlifting is,that at some point in time, we all have to make weight. Making weight can make or break your lifting performance. For optimal performance a lifter should be at the very top of their respective weight division. If you compete at the lower end of a weight class, you are usually at a disadvantage compared to your heavier competitors.
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9/14/2007 |
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Powerlifting Toward Wellness
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
Current statistics report approximately 70% of all deaths in the United States are caused by cardiovascular disease and cancer. A sustained wellness program of compound exercises, combined with appropriate eating habits, can help prevent death from these causes.
Posted on
8/26/2007 |
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Top 10 Mistakes Novice Lifters Make
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
Here’s a list of the top 10 mistakes novice lifters make. I’ve also included suggestions or solutions for how to rectify these mistakes and prevent them from happening again.
Posted on
3/6/2007 |
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Train The Deadlift
Article by Matt Gary, CSCS
How many times has some curious onlooker at your gym come over to and asked, "So, how much can you lift?" My stock reply is, "I can deadlift 639 pounds." For a powerlifter, the deadlift is the purest test of total body strength. This is true for a myriad of reasons.
Posted on
11/1/2006 |
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