Who we are and What we do

Graft Training Principles offers weekly online powerlifting coaching and one off custom programming.

Why Graft?

Graft is predominantly British slang for hard work. But beyond that, the word also conjures a pride in a job well done, “an honest days graft”. You can’t graft at a job you hate, you need to be invested and proud of the work you do to give it your all. And in training I believe it’s the same – you need to work really hard, but it’s very important to find enjoyment in training and a sense of fulfilment in the process so you can give yourself to it fully and get the most out of it. The goal of coaching from Graft Training Principles is to put you in a position to experience that and support you to develop that outlook within powerlifting.

Why Coaching?

When the subject of online coaching is brought up on places like Facebook, Reddit et al, you’ll often see comments along the lines of ‘anyone can write a program, you just need to do more research, you don’t need a coach, just run one of the popular named programs’. And to be fair, they aren’t entirely wrong; look at the disparity in approaches between 5/3/1, Sheiko, Westside, RTS etc to name a few, and yet they all work to some degree. There’s plenty of evidence now to suggest that some kind of progressive overload and adherence to the plan is the main concern when getting stronger. But you don’t want to just get stronger, you want to get strongest.

Imagine you’re walking across a muddy field, trying to avoid the puddles and muddiest patches. There will be multiple routes across, but all lead from one side to the other. That journey across if your training, the multiple paths programming. Now imagine someone looking down on the field with a birds-eye view of the available pathways, which are the shortest, which is the least muddy and being able to guide you across. That’s coaching. Maybe you’ll slip and get muddy, but with Graft by your side you’ll always have someone to help you get back to your feet, brush you down and get back on your path.

The benefit of coaching is not only sound, individualised, evidence-based programming and exercise selection, but the option to outsource your accountability, decision making and stress management. Not only can we come up with a very effective approach to training, we can build a supportive environment and mindset to fully execute it.

Why choose Graft?

I’ve been coaching for most of my life. At age 8 I began training in TaeKwonDo. By 13 I’d passed my 1st Dan black belt, and was regularly leading portions of the class. I’ve always enjoyed getting people to ‘grok’ technique and display improvements. University saw a hiatus from sport until I started strength training prior to briefly picking up BJJ. I quickly found I was a better lifter than grappler and segued into training for powerlifting in 2012, and competing for the first time in 2013. One year in, and I was already playing around with programming for my clubmates. By November 2016, pretty much just as a passion project, I’d coached people to;

  • Multiple divisional records
  • Multiple British records across 2 federations
  • Multiple British Podium positions across 2 federations
  • International selection
  • PB’s all round

November 2016 saw the launch of ‘Graft Training Principles’, after a conversation with Stephen Manuel where he essentially told me to pull my finger out. It’s only got better from there. If you want to see the progress my lifters have made, please check out my Instagram.

Products and Pricing

Weekly Online Coaching

The comprehensive option for those who want to get the most out of their training. This is for those who want to develop their technique and competitive mindset alongside individualised programming and competitive macrocycle planning.

  • Individualised programming block by block.
  • Long term competition planning.
  • Minimum weekly contact.
  • Feedback via video response & email.
  • Technical adjustment & instruction.
  • Programming adjustment as necessary.
  • Support with mindset & habit development.
  • Nutritional guidance.
  • Message support as needed.
  • £75 per month.

 

Monthly Group Coaching

Coming soon, keep your eyes peeled!

Custom Training Cycles

A lower cost option to access individually tailored programming, but without the cost and guidance of coaching

  • 12 weeks individualised planning and programming. This can be extended beyond 12 weeks into peaking for a competition if required at a negotiable cost per week.
  • £80 for a one-to-one strategy call and 12 week’s individualised program.