With all the fluff, nonsense, and flat out lies in the “fitness industry” it’s hard finding reliable, trustworthy information. I know this from personal experience. It is no easy task separating the wheat from the chaff…unless you know where to look. After years of extensive research (and hands-on experience) in the subject of strength and conditioning, I have compiled my “Mount Rushmore”: a list of my top four coaches in the industry. Enjoy, and make the most of what these authors have to share!

1. Mark Rippetoe – Widely regarded as “the authority” on barbell training, Rip has been the single biggest influence in my own strength training journey. His books, videos, and articles are my bread and butter. The Starting Strength Forum on his website is quite possibly the single best source of credible strength and conditioning information in the world. His defining work, Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, is a must-read for anyone interested in strength training. Look him up.
2. Jim Wendler – If I could trade lives with someone in the strength world it would be this man. He is someone I admire and aspire to be like in many ways. Jim is the creator of the 5/3/1 Program, an intermediate strength program which I currently follow, and the co-founders of EliteFTS (one of the most popular strength websites in the world). Not for the faint of heart, Jim’s advice is second to none and his practical stance on training simplifies a lot of the junk thats out there. The man is a force to be reckoned with both inside and outside the weight room.
3. Mike Matthews – While his resume may not stack up to the likes of Rip and Wendler, Mike Matthews has grown to become one of the most trusted names in the fitness industry. Author of the best-selling book Bigger, Leaner, Stronger (a recommended read), Mike is a dedicated researcher who consistently puts out credible content. Also, he got tired of big supplement companies trying to rip-off the average consumer so he started his own company called Legion Athletics. It is my go-to store for anything related to training supplements. Fun fact: you can email Mike directly with any questions and he will actually respond to you (I’ve done this a few times). Pretty cool.
4. Andrew Heming – Currently working as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Trinity Western University Spartans, Andrew is a personal friend of mine. I’ve had the privilege of taking his classes during my brief tenure at the school and he is regarded as one of the top strength coaches in the country. With decades of experience in the field, his results speak for themselves. His blog will provide you with some valuable insights.

*Bonus: Any of the Starting Strength Coaches* – These guys (and gals) know their stuff. They’ve been through the crucible of the Starting Strength Coaches Certification and have years of training experience under their belts. Easily accessible via the Starting Strength Forum or their own personal websites, these are some of the best coaches in North America. Some notable coaches include: Andy Baker, Dr. Johnathan Sullivan, Michael Wolf, Beau Bryant, Dr. Austin Baraki, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum, and Niki Sims.