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Customer/Client Reviews
Here’s a word from some of our valued customers/clients that we’ve worked with over the years.
Praise
Customer/Client Reviews
Zack Parker
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Since I’ve been training under Alastair, he has helped me in a number of different ways. Not only becoming a stronger lifter on platform, but also off the platform with good training habits and always trying to focus on the big picture, but also the small details when training isn’t going 100%. In the 18 months I’ve been working with Alastair he has helped me add 360lbs onto my competition total (achieved a 1598lbs total @ 250lbs).
Phillip Murphy
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I was fortunate to work with Alastair for nearly two years, and I became a much better powerlifter and athlete because of it. Alastair is attentive to his athlete’s needs, and from the very start, it was clear that he took my progress and success very seriously. While working with Alastair, I added more than 200lb to my total and he helped target my weaknesses to make me a well-rounded lifter. Through life stresses, scheduling changes and all other kinds of disruptions, Alastair remains patient and looks for solutions to ensure that training goes as smoothly as possible. As a coach, Alastair is always ecstatic to see his athletes not just succeed but also enjoy the process. Without Alastair, I would not be where I am today as a powerlifter and I would recommend him to anyone interested in pursuing excellence (achieved a 1747lbs total @ 242lbs).
Gino Conte
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Working with Erica for my second meet (CPF Nationals 2019) was a fantastic experience. She opened my eyes to a new style of training for powerlifting, and also helped me get stronger while shedding body fat. I hit a world record deadlift of 661lbs at 268lb bodyweight. She also gives you the tools to be mentally strong, as well as physically stronger. I would highly recommend Erica to anyone looking to start in powerlifting or have a couple years, or even want to just better themselves as a lifter and person.
Justin Zottl
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Al knows when my body is fatigued, primed or about to be sick before I do. Every single program I receive is followed by a million questions and in return I receive a million answers. Alastair is the type of coach who is jumping in the background as his athletes succeed because, at the end of the day the level of success you achieve with Alastair cannot be achieved elsewhere (achieved a 2039lbs total (raw w/ wraps) @ 275lbs).
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Amanda
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Erica handled me at my first CPU National powerlifting Championships and I was so lucky to have such a great game day coach there with me! She was supportive throughout the whole process; from watching my lifting videos to get a sense of me as a lifter pre-meet, to helping out in the warm-up room, all the way to my final deadlift attempt selection. I had a fantastic competition, which later allowed me to compete at the IPF World Championships, with huge thanks to Erica keeping me calm, focused and fired up!
Tori Goulart
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Working with Alastair has been the best decision for my lifting career. Alastair is the epitome of professionalism and his passion for lifting is truly contagious. I am stronger, both mentally and physically, and the healthiest I have ever been due to his superior training methods and his keen eye for optimal body mechanics. Each program is designed specifically for my individual goals and is always executed perfectly. Al goes above and beyond for his athletes and is incredibly supportive of my goals both on and off the platform. Al has been a large factor in producing the very best version of myself every day and I am incredibly proud to be among his incredibly talented roster of athletes (achieved a 903lbs @ 153lbs).
Julian Gianfrancesco
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I had the pleasure of working with Erica for a few months just prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns. Along with her friendly personality and strong work ethic, she has a sound understanding of fitness and powerlifting which translates well into high quality sessions. She often took the time to explain concepts and techniques that I was unfamiliar with and even went over our one hour time limit on several occasions! I would recommend anyone looking to get in shape, or to improve their lifting in general, to book some sessions with Erica.
Chico Schel
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For many years, I've been weight training with the emphasis of increasing my Deadlift max. But I got to a point where, no matter how hard and consistently I trained my deadlift, I could not make a meaningful gain. It appeared I had plateaued. At 58 years of age, I thought my ‘PR’ days might be behind me. And so I turned to Alastair MacNicol, to see if his input could help.When Alastair and I started working together, he asked a lot of questions about me- the exercises I normally do, how often I train, where I was in my training, what my goals were…. He seemed to consider all aspects of my past and current status. Once the assessment was over, he provided a well detailed program for me to follow with specific targets to try and hit. As the weeks and months rolled on we communicated frequently, during which time I gave feedback (often with videos) to how well the weights moved and how I felt. He reviewed this information and made adjustments as needed, including management of my recovery time (which, as a mature lifter, is hugely important), and accounting for any injuries I incurred.With Alastair's sage advice and guidance I was able to breakthrough and make a significant increase to my deadlift. It wasn’t easy, but what he prescribed worked. I was actually shocked on my first testing day- I blew past my previous personal best and reached new heights. This has given me renewed drive and enthusiasm. Amazing how success can motivate- I think now that I can accomplish what I never thought was possible.I experienced first hand the results of what Alastair MacNicol’s coaching can have. And I am thoroughly impressed.
Leah Gitterman
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Alastair introduced me to the sport of powerlifting over 7 years ago and I haven't looked back since. Having him as a coach has been an amazing experience. Alastair has a deep knowledge of the sport and a passion to learn and grow. His approach to programming is very thoughtful and nuanced and it was always clear to me that the quality of the training came first. Coach Al was responsive as a coach, both in answering questions and adjusting the program as needed to fit my busy schedule. On meet days he was right there with me celebrating the wins and putting everything into perspective. I always knew he was in my corner. When I started lifting I could never imagine that at 114lbs bodyweight I would be able to regularly squat over 250, deadlift over 300 and bench over 130. I learned so much from him both as an athlete and coach and am grateful for his strong coaching and support over the years. (achieved a 727lbs total @ 114lbs and 738lbs @ 123lbs).
Jeff Cornish
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Erica coached me heading into CPF Nationals in 2019. Great programming, nutritional advice, and she was able to mix things up on the fly while I was dealing with an injured and sore shoulder. Lots of new movements I hadn’t done before, and it all paid off, helping me to take 1st in my class, and grab a few records along the way!
Maureen Bornbaum
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Alastair was my powerlifting coach for over 4 years. I started working with him as a young, unathletic and inexperienced lifter with no sport background and minimal strength. Over our time together, Alastair coached me to the top 10 women across the world, in the Open 75kg class year after year. My numbers at the end of my powerlifting career were a 475lbs raw squat, 501lbs wrapped squat, 274lbs bench and 508lbs deadlift. My wildest dreams came true and while I did the work, it never would have been possible without Alastair. We were truly a team and the moments of both difficulty and success were always brighter with his leadership and guidance. Alastair certainly made me stronger, faster, more athletic and a technically detailed and sound lifter. But on top of that, Alastair helped me become mentally strong, resilient, and able to grit my teeth and work through mental and physical challenges. I came out the other side unearthing a work ethic in myself that I wasn’t sure was possible - and that was thanks to many late night pep talks and helping me work through challenges so that I could come out better. You couldn’t ask for a more dedicated, intelligent and well researched coach for any variety of sport or athletic pursuits. He is honest, talented, hugely passionate and will root for you and your goals at every step of the way.
Samuel Baba
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When I first stepped foot into a gym, I was 2 years in recovery from open heart surgery. I was running 6 days a week and felt that it was time to build strength. I signed up for a boot camp at Torque barbell and after about a year, I fell in love with the powerlifting movements incorporated in those classes. After making inquiries, I was introduced to Erica. Erica’s approach was clinical, examining videos of my training, tightening up my technique and changing accessories to strengthen my weak points. Being an older client, there was a lot of wear and tear on my shoulders which Erica was able to effectively strengthen by prescribing movements which strengthened ancillary muscles. Long story short, I’m 2 years in and despite over a year of covid-restricted workouts, I’ve put more than 240 pounds to my total. There is a thorough and thoughtful nature in Erica’s approach, concise questions which end up with enhancements to her custom programming. There is no cookie cutter approach here as Erica is able to switch up exercises on the fly when I do injure myself (gardening can be quite dangerous!) The online nature of our relationship allows me to get premium coaching from a distance. I’m confident she can help me put another 440lbs on my total in the coming years!
Andie Paris
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My name is Andie Paris and I have been competing in the Elite Powerlifting Canada’s federation twice. Once it’s been handled by my friends Erica Nagy and Alastair McNicol and they did a GREAT job! First of all, they had the perfect attitude for handling me (an anxious person) that is to say that they were calm and reassuring. They instantly got that, they were organised perfectly with timings between my lifts. During my squats, Al wrapped my knees between each of my attempts. He did an amazing job and was always right on time. Everything was well set and we all had a great communication. Personally, that is key to me during a powerlifting meet. In addition of all that, I made such good friends and even if we live far away from each other, I know I can always count on them for taking care of me during meets in Ontario.
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