William Phillips

For some context, I’ve been powerlifting for a little over a year now. My first competition was in April of 2025, and I really wanted to continue in the sport. A good friend of mine recommended William, and I have not regretted the decision at all. In my one year of working with him, he’s been able to bring my total from 987 lbs at 148lbs BW to 1150 lbs at 153 lbs BW. He’s a seriously efficient handler, and amazing at explaining things. What I really like most about him is his passion for powerlifting. He demonstrates his love for the sport through his explanations and coaching, and his athletes are the product of this passion. I am seriously excited for what I'll look like working with him for 2 years and beyond. Below, I’ve compiled a list of what makes him an outstanding coach: 24-hour response times Amazing at explaining things (whether it be programming, lifts, etc.) Adaptable to and understanding of your commitments outside of powerlifting (coaches a baseball player, rugby player; I do ROTC, and my training interferes with my programming often. We all still crush week 4s.) Personally tailored programs that benefit you (coaches use AI to write programming; he’s one of the few that doesn’t) Well-known in the VA Powerlifting community (well-liked and well-respected coach and person, ask anyone he works with.) Wide range of athletes (beginners into powerlifting to intermediate guys to open record holders) Selecting a coach is a significant investment in yourself. Separate you from the competition you face. Make the right decision and choose William. You won’t regret it.

I’ve been with will for over a year and a half and he’s helped me grow so much. Starting off barely totaling 1000 pounds to hopefully close to a 1500 pound total soon. He’s kinda just a good dude and cares a lot for any athlete and anyone looking to take powerlifting seriously. He also sends tech videos shirtless which is a plus.

I have now had 2 meet preps working with Will and we have averaged 8.5/9 together with SBD and total Prs in both the meets. Great response times with good feedback and explains programming changes very well.

I have been with Will for 3 blocks of training and meet prep. We already increased my squat from 167.5kg to 180kg (3x bw!) and got my bench back to where it was prior to me cutting down a class. Will is attentive to detail, always listens, and considers what you have to say as an athlete. He is calm and collective, but he also knows how to have fun and joke around when the time is right. I can’t wait to have many more meets with him!

I have been working with William for roughly 6 months now, and every training block has been fruitful. I came into training with him after a hiatus from powerlifting and had made good progress in the past, but wanted to take that to another level by hiring my first coach. This decision was worth it. I think that the effort that William gives to his clients is well worth the price he charges us and I am satisfied with what I have been able to do in the gym under his guidance. I have high hopes about my first meet with him next month, and look forward to seeing what else I can do in powerlifting with his help. William appears hungry to grow and improve as a coach as well, which is a great quality to bring to the table.

Will is one of the best coaches I’ve had. I’ve been powerlifting on and off for a few years, some of that time while being a student athlete. Will helped me navigate and work around my practices, games, and team lifts while still managing to progress my squat, bench, and deadlift. He was always understanding if I was hurting from a game and would give me easy stretches or rehab work to do while helping rearrange my lift. Now that I’m out of college, I’ve been traveling for work a lot which means a lot of different gyms. Will has helped figure out a program that works with my schedule. All this being said is that Will cares about his athletes not just as “clients”, but as people. He respects what’s going on in your life, while also being able to push and further you as an athlete.

I have been coached by Will for coming on 3 years. In that time he has improved my squat, bench, and deadlift through excellent programming, generally prompt feedback, and in depth form work. In top of this, he provides help with injury management and fatigue management. After multiple years with him, I am still making progress at comparable rates to when I began. Despite his young age, he has many clients providing him with much experience as a coach across multiple demographics.

Will in genuinely such a good coach. He originally recruited me to start powerlifting when I was still doing track/throws. We didn’t start working together right away, once we did my lifts started to fly again. He genuinely listens to his clients, really understands their training and tapers things to their own needs. I tore my ACL in high school, and there is still some imbalances from it. I brought this up to will and he added isolated movements to my program. If something isn’t going completely right he lets you know where his thoughts process is, and if progress doesn’t happen, what will change. He has great pattern recognition, he was able to figure out exactly what was going on with my squat so I could squat 511lbs and break the American record. He’s insightful, knowledgeable, and surrounded by mentors that support him as well. If you want a coach that listens to you and your goals, insightful, and kind.. Will is the coach for you.