Established in 2013 by Tim & Amanda Young

coaches

Tim Young, MS, CSCS

• Bachelor's in Science & Physical Education from Pacific Lutheran University

• Master's in Exercise Science from Central Washington University

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (2010-2020)

• 9+ years as a strength coach for college, professional, & K-12 athletes

• Head Strength Coach at Pacific Lutheran University & Life Christian Academy

• Assistant Strength Coach at Central Washington University & Puyallup YMCA

• Coached & programmed for men and women's college sports

• Individually prepared 20+ athletes for college athletics, semi-pro, and/or professional leagues

• Coached 4 record-holding strength athletes for powerlifting or strongman

• Played baseball for Southridge High School, Kennewick Bandits, Columbia Basin College, Pacific Lutheran University & The Pacific International League

• 14+ years competing in barbell sports; Powerlifting through the USAPL, Strengthlifting, and one run at Olympic style Weightlifting.

• Achieved a 1400+ total at the 205 weight class in the USAPL (including a 601 lb. deadlift)

At the age of 12, Tim's grandparents gave him a second-hand barbell and cement weights —he was hooked from day one. In the backyard, he would push the barbell overhead, pull it up from the ground, carry it up hills, and move it anyway imaginable. Tim became fascinated with weight training, physical progression, and the perfect simplicity of the barbell. Going into high school, he realized how consistent strength training attributed to his athletic performance, but also struggled with inaccessible coaching and equipment, misinformation and over-conditioning. He was under-prepared for the physical requirements of college athletics.

It was under the mentorship of a knowledgeable Strength Coach at Pacific Lutheran University that Tim was introduced to the world of strength and conditioning and powerlifting. Showing dedication and intelligence, Tim was brought on staff and even assisted in coaching seminars at other colleges, like nearby University of Washington. After years of coaching in collegiate weight rooms, Tim realized most athletes were also under-prepared; they lacked proper technique, basic programming, overall size and strength, and were ending their careers due to preventable high school and weight-room injuries. This was troubling. Tim wanted to do more than what he was limited to in a college setting. Reflecting on his own youth, he knew his hometown was a good place to start. Then, he met Amanda.

Amanda Young, MS

• Bachelor's in Digital Technology

• Master's in Strategic Communications

• Certified in Professional Writing

• Holds 4 retired WA State USAPL powerlifting records

• 9+ years of experience in strength training, including during pregnancy and postpartum.

• 5+ years of experience in coaching

Immediately after Tim explaining what a '“Strength Coach” was, I asked him, "can you teach me how to bench?" Lifting weights was something I had always wanted to learn. For whatever reason, bench press was the most appealing.

Tim taught me to bench, and then squat, overhead press, and deadlift. I started lifting weights as an enjoyable means of activity and weight-loss, but unexpectedly found interest in powerlifting. In my first powerlifting competition, I took 1st place, “best female junior lifter” and set Washington State records in squat, bench, deadlift, and total for my weight class.

I experienced the benefits of proper strength training first hand and began getting requests for coaching from other women. I would watch Tim coach and listen as the athletes told him the difference he had made in their lives. My experience in business and public relations combined with Tim’s experience as a youth and collegiate strength coach to create Tri-City Barbell Club in 2013.

"I started strength training to ‘lose weight’ in college. That’s it, the end. What I thought was just a treadmill alternative became a total lifestyle change. Within one year I was training to increase muscles that I never cared about before and I was training consistently just because I enjoyed it. This was more than a workout.

As a child I was overly concerned with how my body looked. Through training with Tim, I experienced the shift from arbitrary, aesthetic obsession, to genuine appreciation for my body and how well I was doing in this new hobby. It was less about my body weight and more about the weight I was lifting, and how much it was increasing. I knew this service was needed. I wanted more people, especially children, to also shift their focus from how their bodies look to what they can physically do. That was my naive motivation to start TCBC.

After just two weeks of training, we see young boys and girls gain so much confidence that their parents are noticing improvements in all aspects of their lives. Women tell us how much easier it is to pick up their child, perform yard work, or just run errands without constant back pain. Grandparents regain mobility in their arms and shoulders, and don’t have to ask their busy kids or neighbors for help. Men aren’t going to bed and waking up with the same level of pain they had prior to training, and can push out retirement to a date they can choose. New parents are breaking cycles and dramatically improving the course of their children’s lives through healthy relationships with food, activity, and body image, simply leading by example. Eight years later and I’m so glad we were naive in our mission; this has proven so much more value than we originally thought, and the people we’ve helped have all been wonderful surprises.

Strength is life-changing. However, a weight is just an object without a great coach. I’m so proud to support Tim’s coaching efforts, and bring this high level of coaching to our community.”