Matt Gary

SSPT co-founder, Powerlifting & strength coach, USA Powerlifting Coaching Education Faculty & Senior International Coach

Matt graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiological Sciences.  In 1995, he was recognized as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and was employed as the head strength and conditioning coach at DeMatha Catholic High School. He has completed internships with the University of Maryland strength staff as well as the Washington Redskins. From 1996 to the present he has been employed full-time as a strength and conditioning coach working with athletes of all levels.  His primary area of expertise is powerlifting and he currently coaches lifters from novice to elite.

Matt and his wife, Suzanne “Sioux-z” Hartwig-Gary, established Supreme Sports Performance & Training, Inc. (SSPT) in 2008 to meet the needs of local athletes and serious trainees. SSPT grew into Washington, DC and suburban Maryland’s premier strength training facility. It remained open until 2020 and then transitioned to Bozeman, MT in April 2021.

Matt is a 28-year veteran of competitive powerlifting. As a competitor, his personal best raw lifts without a belt are a 490-pounds (222.5kg) SQ, 336-pounds (152.5kg) BP, and a 606-pounds (275kg) DL.  His best equipped lifts include a 584-pounds (265kg) SQ, 385-pounds (175kg) BP, and 639-pounds (290kg) DL.

He is a USAPL Senior International Coach and has coached at the highest levels in powerlifting both as an assistant and head coach on a variety of USAPL Raw and Equipped National Teams since 2003. Matt was also the head coach of the USA Men’s Team at the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In 2012, Matt was named the USAPL Coach of the Year and served as Coaching Education Director from 2012 - 2021.

Lastly, Matt routinely gives back to the sport as a USAPL National Referee and can often be seen serving at local and national-level meets around the country.

As a published author and gifted speaker, Matt enjoys the process of teaching through his articles, clinics, seminars, and daily training sessions. His attention to detail and emphasis on the pursuit of technical mastery are continually stressed. Accordingly, Matt’s mantra is, “The secret to success, in any endeavor, is consistency and hard work.”