My Coaching System: Technique and Powerlifting Philosophy
Powerlifting isn't just about moving heavy weight. It is about movement efficiency, technical mastery, and building a system that keeps you strong for the long haul. Here is how I approach the platform.
I believe in creating awareness about the realities of steroid use in women's powerlifting. In this conversation with my athlete Pooja, we discuss the serious and often irreversible side effects. My coaching is about building true, natural strength, not taking dangerous shortcuts.
In this clip, my athlete Pooja shares her journey of being diagnosed with endometriosis and how we work together to manage her training. We recap her competition performance, including a record-breaking 197.5kg deadlift, proving that you can be an elite athlete while managing a chronic health condition.
A snapshot from my interview with Pooja. We believe in being open about the challenges, from health issues like endometriosis to the mental grind of training. This transparency helps other lifters who might be facing similar struggles.
Another shot from my conversation with Pooja. Discussing her journey is important to show others that it's possible to overcome significant medical advice that suggested she stop lifting heavy. We found a smarter way.
This is a training squat from my athlete Yuti. Before we started, she had lower back and adductor pain. By focusing on technique, we were able to build a resilient back and help her squat pain-free.
A failed 100kg squat from Yuti in training, about 7 days out from her meet. Failures in the gym are just data. After some reassurance and technical cues, she came back and successfully squatted 110kg on the platform for a PR.
My take on deficit deadlifts. For raw powerlifting, I believe they are often a waste of time. They can compromise form and don't have the specificity needed for competition lifts. I prefer paused deadlifts to build strength off the floor.
My opinion on block pulls for raw lifters. They alter the lift's starting position and can be less effective than variations that more closely mimic the actual competition deadlift. My programming is based on what is most effective for a raw lifter.
Why I believe bands and chains are a waste of time for raw powerlifting. Raw lifting is about mastering your body's mechanics without external variables. My philosophy is to focus on the unadulterated connection between the lifter and the bar.
This is the second key to fixing a common bench press mistake: controlling the eccentric portion of the lift. Many lifters just dump the bar, losing tension. We use variations like the T-shirt pause bench to force control.
About My Coaching System: Technique & Philosophy
I don't waste time on gimmicks or accessories that don't directly serve your total. If you see me programming paused squats or specific bench press variations, it is because I have identified a specific technical leakage in your lift that needs immediate correction, not more volume.
The Raw Philosophy
My coaching system is built on the belief that raw powerlifting requires an unadulterated connection between the lifter and the bar. I often see athletes wasting energy on deficit deadlifts, block pulls, or excessive use of bands and chains. In a raw context, these can deviate from the specificity you need. Instead, I prioritize movements like the paused deadlift, which forces you to maintain tension right from the floor, mimicking the exact demands of a competition attempt. My job is to strip away the noise and focus on what actually builds your total.
Technical Breakdown
Technique is where strength is born. When I analyze a lift, I am looking for energy leaks. For the bench press, I focus on three non-negotiables: scapular retraction for a stable base, eccentric control so you don't 'dump' the bar on your chest, and total body tension. If your ribs are flared or your scapula is loose, you are losing force transfer. I don't just tell you to 'tighten up.' I give you cues like the T-shirt pause bench to teach your body how to maintain tension under load.
Data Over Ego
I treat every session as data. A failed squat in training is not a sign to quit, it is a variable we need to solve. Whether it is managing thoracic endometriosis, recovering from lower back pain, or fixing a poor lockout, I work with the realities of your physiology. We adjust the load, modify the tempo, and rebuild. My goal is to get you to the podium not by burning you out, but by making you a more resilient, technically sound athlete. You bring the grit, and I will bring the programming that makes it count.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
The Big Lifts: Master Squat, Bench, and Deadlift
Master the Big Three: Squat, Bench, Deadlift
Strength Training: Mastering Technique and Warrior Mindset
Master the Bench Press: Technique, Arch, and Power
Master Your Powerlifting Technique with Expert Coaching
Master the Lifts: Technique & Form Correction
More from Powerlifting Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention by Vedant Pawnikar
More services by Vedant Pawnikar