Powerbuilding coaching · Toronto

Strong like a powerlifter. Built like a bodybuilder.

Powerbuilding combines powerlifting’s strength protocols with bodybuilding’s muscle-building science in one periodized program. You get stronger on the big lifts and build the physique to match.

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Sound familiar?

Your squat, bench, or deadlift has stalled for months.
You’ve been running programs from the internet and progress has flattened.
You want to get stronger without giving up size, or bigger without losing strength.
You train hard, but you’re not sure the plan is working.

How the coaching works

Calibrated to your numbers

The assessment establishes your current strength, technique, and training history. Your program starts from your real numbers, not a percentage chart written for someone else.

Periodized, not random

Training runs in planned cycles that vary volume, intensity, and exercise selection over time, so every phase builds on the last.

Adjusted to daily readiness

Sleep, stress, and fatigue change what you can do on a given day. The plan holds; the session adapts, so you keep progressing without burning out.

Decisions from data

Load, volume, and execution are tracked every session. That record shows plateaus and fatigue building before they turn into setbacks.

Sessions run 45–60 minutes at Carpio Strength & Conditioning, 213 Geary Ave in Toronto’s west end, or in your home anywhere in the city.

Lifters who kept progressing

Full Google reviews, exactly as clients wrote them.

Training with John has singlehandedly kept me going to the gym. I’ve been constantly dealing with absurdly busy schedules and fatigue for years, which has made staying motivated to work out extremely hard. John has been one of the most down to earth, no nonsense trainers I’ve had the pleasure of working with and it’s made chiseling out some time for the gym a pleasure and not a chore. Also, as a former Powerlifter, I was shocked by how much I’ve learned by working with him - with every session being a chance to pick up some new tricks and pieces of knowledge despite the fact that I’m already relatively experienced. Without John’s help, I’d certainly not be making the progress I’m making let alone keeping my motivation up. Can’t recommend training with John enough, especially if you struggle to make the gym a priority amongst a hectic schedule.

Ryan

Google Review

Working with John is everything I wanted from a training experience - dedicated 1-on-1 attention with someone willing to work with people at different stages of their fitness journey. Whether you’re a high-performing athlete looking to reach their peak performance or someone just like me, a person that has been overwhelmed by the ‘big gym’ experience that left me feeling lost, embarrassed and defeated. My experience has been amazing, and this is entirely attributed to my trainer John ‘The Giant’ Richmond. In addition to being very knowledgeable and experienced in bodybuilding, he has all the patience, humour and attitude to build up your confidence and muscles. It’s very telling how much I enjoy working out under John’s guidance, as I now look forward to my workout sessions! Me! The one who made up any excuse to justify not going to a gym. I recommend that anyone looking for a highly specialized, community-driven training experience should reach out to John.

Josh

Google Review

John is patient, knowledgeable and personable. He knows when to push and when to scale back. Couldn’t ask for a better trainer to help me achieve my goals with!

Tommy

Google Review

Read all client reviews →

Common questions

What is powerbuilding?

A training approach that combines heavy compound barbell lifts for strength with targeted hypertrophy work for muscle size, balance, and joint health, programmed in periodized cycles.

I’m already experienced. What will I get from a coach?

An outside eye on technique, programming built around your numbers and recovery, and someone tracking the data so you don’t have to guess. Experienced lifters often progress faster once the guesswork is gone.

Is powerbuilding only for advanced lifters?

No. Beginners use the same principles at a starting level. If you’re new, see personal training for beginners.

How much does it cost?

One-on-one sessions are $70–$80, and the assessment is free. There are no contracts. Many workplace Wellness Spending Accounts cover personal training.

Also see: Training with pain or injury · Personal training for beginners · Wedding & event training · Weight loss training · About John

Bring your numbers to the assessment.

We’ll test where you are, look at your training history, and map the next block. No pressure, no commitment.

Book a free assessment