The OGs of Strength Training: Coaches and Researchers Who Shaped Us

Send us Fan MailThe systems used in strength training today were built through decades of coaching, research, experimentation, and education.In this episode, the KILO Crew traces the people and resources that most shaped their understanding of programming, periodization, strength development, power, and coaching.Stéphane explains how Charles Poliquin first expanded his view beyond bodybuilding and introduced a more technical approach to exercise selection, tempo, loading, and nervous system development.The conversation then moves through Ian King’s systematic thinking, Joe DeFranco’s ability to blend training philosophies, Larry Vinette’s role as a true mentor, and the foundational work of authors and researchers including Vladimir Zatsiorsky, Yuri Verkhoshansky, Mel Siff, Mike Stone, Tudor Bompa, Carmelo Bosco, Dan Baker, William Kraemer, Steven Fleck, and many others.They also discuss why understanding research requires more than reading an abstract, how trusted educators can help coaches interpret science, and the importance of knowing where the principles behind modern strength training came from.The episode closes with an important distinction: the KILO system is not presented as the only successful approach to training. It is a connected framework built from established principles, years of application, and a clear understanding of how the pieces fit together.Know where the ideas came from, then learn how to apply them.RECOMMENDED READING12 Essential Books That Shaped Our Strength Training Philosophy, read the full article ⁠here⁠.Science and Practice of Strength TrainingVladimir Zatsiorsky, William Kraemer and Andrew FrySupertrainingYuri Verkhoshansky and Mel SiffPoliquin PrinciplesCharles PoliquinStrength and Power in SportPaavo KomiThe Physiology of TrainingGregory Whyte and Neil SpurwayStrength and Conditioning: Biological Principles and Practical ApplicationsMarco Cardinale, Robert Newton and Kazunori NosakaStrength and Conditioning in Sports: From Science to PracticeMichael Stone, Timothy Suchomel, W. Hornsby and John WaglePeriodization of Strength Training for SportsTudor Bompa and Carlo BuzzichelliScientific Foundations and Practical Applications of PeriodizationG. Gregory HaffHow to Write Strength Training ProgramsIan KingFitness and Strength Training for All SportsJurgen HartmannDeveloping the Athlete: An Applied Sport Science Roadmap for Optimizing PerformanceWilliam J. Kraemer, Nicholas Ratamess and Thomas Newman0:00 Introduction OGs of strength training1:07 Charles Poliquin the foundational influence6:56 Ian King18:29 Joe DeFranco20:09 Eric Cressey and Christian Thibaudeau22:15 Larry Vinette26:09 Gilles Cometti and Supertraining27:38 Science and Practice by Zatsiorsky30:10 Mike Stone 36:04 Schmidtbleicher and German research38:12 Bompa 39:19 Carmelo Bosco40:28 Dan Baker and the Australian research boom42:27 Scandinavian researchers and conditioning science43:46 How to actually approach research today52:08 Closing thoughts and recommended readingStay Connected with KILO: Have a question? ⁠Submit it for a Rapid Fire episode⁠.Learn more at ⁠trainkilo.com⁠Follow KILO on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠.