The Strength Standard
THE
STRENGTH
STANDARD
Actionable insights on training, nutrition, gym equipment, and lifestyle design. Geared toward elevating you inside and outside the gym.
THE MISSION
Strength is how every human being interacts with the environment. It isn’t just for elite athletes, it’s for anyone who wants to raise the baseline of their life. No matter your starting point, we provide effective training and guidance through consistent behavior change and proven programming principles. Our goal is to improve your health markers, make you more capable, and build resilience for life in general. When you get stronger, everything gets easier, allowing you to push harder and do more.
Client Achievements
I started seeing Rich right after COVID. I had gained some weight and needed some help getting in shape. I just started going one day a week, but after I gained trust in him and a better understanding of what was required to get the results I wanted, I moved up to three days a week. Fast forward several years, and I'm a totally different person. I look totally different and people treat me completely differently as well - hell, I didn't even know I could look like this when I started. Training at this point has just become a part of who I am, and it's pretty effortless to go now (still just three days a week).
I feel Rich has a solid understanding not only of how to train people for a variety of different goals, but he also really gets the human side of things, helping people find a program that is a good fit for them and thereby helping them stay consistent. Also, the training sessions never really feel like that much more because he's so easy to talk to that I feel like I'm just hanging out with a friend - and we have become good friends!
At this point I've already recommended another friend of mine to Rich and he has seen the same results, so I know it's reproducible!
CHRIS KEOWN - PHD(neuroscience), Amateur Padel player, Entrepreneur.
I've been training with Rich for over 7 years now, and honestly, he's changed the trajectory of my physique and my long-term health. I came to him weighing 175 lbs at 6'4", a runner, a busy attorney, and a 4.0-level tennis player. My goals were to stay healthy and strong as I age, add muscle to my physique, all while still being able to compete in tennis and hit a goal time in the half marathon. Over these 7 years I've put on probably 40 lbs of muscle (recently hit a high of 223 lbs BW), and am significantly stronger than I was when I started, all while working as a full-time attorney, hitting my half marathon goal time (1:29:44), and leveling up to a 4.5 tennis player.
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In my opinion, what sets Rich apart is that he doesn't just haphazardly make you a program. He seems to have a deep understanding of the training process. He builds a living, breathing program that morphs and changes based on how your body reacts, and around the constraints of your life. His attention to technique is meticulous, he has kept my progress consistent, and has also kept me consistent for 7+ straight years. At this point he's not just my trainer, he's a friend, and it's always a good time showing up to train. I honestly can't recommend him enough.
JAMIE ARMSTRONG - Amateur tennis player(level 4.5), Runner, Attorney at law.
I first connected with Richard through his affiliation with Starting Strength. Over the years I’ve done HIIT and weight training with a personal trainer, pilates, yoga, and some running, but I knew I wasn’t building the kind of strength I wanted for the long term. As I learned more about strength training, I realized how important muscle, strength, and bone density would be as I get older. When I started working with Richard, I came in with zero barbell experience and honestly didn’t think I’d ever lift heavy weights. I never would have guessed that after only a year of training I’d be squatting 150 lbs. for 5 reps, bench pressing 105 lbs. for 5 reps, and deadlifting 190 lbs. for 5 reps. I’ve built muscle, gained confidence, and honestly feel stronger than I ever have.  What I really appreciate about Richard is that he understands that life doesn’t always follow a schedule. I work full time and travel when I can, so my schedule can be unpredictable. He’s great about adjusting my workouts when needed, and I’ve continued to make steady progress. I’m really happy with what he’s helped me accomplish so far.
NANCY PICONE - 61 years young, mother of 4, grandmother of 1, director of finance.