TESTIMONIALS

THE ATHLETES

"In March of 2020, I hired Matt, and in the last year and a half, we’ve added well over 150kg to my total, and have developed a relationship that goes further than coach-athlete, which I'm very thankful for.
Hiring Matt was the best decision I've made in my powerlifting career. He has provided me with more guidance that I could have ever imagined, and even flew out to Colorado to handle me at 2021 Teen Nationals, where I ended up achieving second place."

— MITCHELL J. 93kg WEIGHT CLASS

“From day 1 of working with Matt, I knew I was in good hands in terms of coaching and being able to reach my short- and long-term goals as a lifter. It was clear, upon speaking with him for the first time, that he first and foremost had a passion for helping others. In the short time we have been working together, Matt has instilled in me a confidence in my ability as an athlete that I did not have previously in the 2 years I have been competing in powerlifting. Every training block, training day, and prescribed movement serves a purpose and he is always willing to explain the purpose and progression of the program. The detail and thoroughness he puts into our weekly check-ins is unparalleled. As a lifter, I am obsessed with my technique and form. Matt’s ability to effectively convey visual cues to me was a fundamental reason we were able to make adjustments to my technique that would ultimately result in more efficient movement.

 Matt continues to impress me with his deep knowledge of the sport and his innate coaching ability. This was especially evident on meet day. From start to finish, he made the day less stressful, he called every attempt perfectly, and helped me execute a smooth 9-for-9 platform performance.

Having been an athlete in various sports throughout my life, I’ve worked with many coaches over the years. I’ve learned that the most effective coaches are not merely those that know the sport inside and out but also those who take that knowledge and experience and know how to apply it individually to each of their athletes. Matt is not just effective but he is also kind, thorough, deliberate, and patient. There is a reason why his reputation precedes him. It is clear to me that Matt is an incredibly talented coach who immensely cares about his athletes and being able to bring out the very best in each of them.”

— ASTRID G. 52kg WEIGHT CLASS

“Before working with Matt, I found myself in the gym everyday of the week, beating up my body and giving myself no time to recover. I didn’t notice any big gains, and I was just always tired. When I started working with Matt through a team coaching program he was running, there was much more structure to my training than I had before - every training day had an intricate purpose, vs. just maxing out everyday as I had been.

The program had progression built in mind, helped me with learning about things like RPE, and Matt’s guidance helped improve my form - which was terrible at the time. Through the 3 months of team programming alone, I added a lot to my total, and I could see how having a coach like Matt would be so helpful - so, I hired him as a 1-on-1 coach. Matt’s become more than just a coach - he’s now someone I consider a close friend.

When you think of a coach, you might think of a stern person who just wants you to be better. Matt makes training enjoyable, and wants to make you the best you can be, but he isn’t going to force you to do something or yell at you. He’ll guide you in the right direction, and educate you on why something is written as it is. Joining Cronin Strength helped me achieve my goals in a short time, and set new ones to move forward with, and helped keep me healthy along the way. He even traveled to a meet to handle me there. Since I have been coached by Matt, I haven’t thought about working with anyone else.”

— AIDEN C. 83kg WEIGHT CLASS

THE COACHES

“Over my years as a coach and gym owner, I can count on one hand the people whose opinions in strength and conditioning can make me rethink, and reorganize, how I do what I do. Matt Cronin is one of those people. His careful approach to observing details and finding training options that suit his clients exact needs, and not his own individual beliefs, are fundamental to what makes Matt great. After owning a facility that has trained thousands of people and employed dozens of interns and coaches, Matt is at the top of the list of trainers I have had the pleasure to work with. Without question you cannot get better results and coaching than what Matt provides, as he may be the brightest young coach in the industry today.”

— BILL ROM, OWNER OF SUPERIOR ATHLETICS

“I've had the pleasure of working with Matt at Murder of Crows Barbell Club, where he was a huge value-add to the community as a part-time coach. He is gifted in his ability to explain advanced powerlifting concepts in a very relatable and friendly way, but also demands excellence in the execution of his instruction while remaining empathetic to the needs of the individual athlete in front of him.

Matt brings forth an unparalleled level of care, humility, and intelligence to anyone who's lucky enough to receive his guidance, and he is extremely consistent in his coaching demeanor and application regardless of the skill level he's working with. Furthermore, his work ethic is unprecedented both in and out of the gym- his desire to learn and improve shows both in his ever-growing total and remarkable coaching ability.

In short, Matt is an exceptional coach, colleague, and human- simply put, I regard him as an important thought leader in powerlifting, and I feel extremely lucky to call him a close friend and contemporary. Any individual seeking to gain a unique competitive advantage, or simply seeking to improve their performance in this sport, would be hard-pressed to find a coach more qualified than Matt Cronin.”

— SEAN COLLINS, OWNER OF SINCERE TRAINING SYSTEMS