MD Strength

A huge weekend for two of our athletes at Apex Alliance Open V, with both executing the plan exactly as intended.

This was Nate’s first competition, and we knew there would be plenty of nerves heading into the day. Throughout prep, every training session centred around lifting to competition standard. No shortcuts, no chasing numbers, just building consistency and confidence in the commands and ex*****on required on the platform. The result? A perfect 9-for-9 performance with 27 white lights. For a first-time competitor, that level of ex*****on is outstanding and a reflection of the work he has put in behind the scenes. A fantastic debut and a great foundation to build from.

The primary goal for Aislinn was to secure her qualification for Nationals next year, which we knew was well within reach. However, after assessing how she was feeling on the day, we agreed that she was operating at around 70% and there was no need to push beyond what was required. We capped the day appropriately and still came away with a strong 500kg total and the Nationals qualifier secured.

Proud of both athletes for their discipline and ability to perform when it mattered.

Thank you also to everyone who turned up to support, cheer, make signs and celebrate!

Now on to the next one! 🫡

🚀 MD STRENGTH LIFT OFF III 🚀

The countdown has begun.

Join us for another day of big lifts, loud crowds, and plenty of PBs as lifters take the platform at MD Strength for Lift Off III.

This is an APA-sanctioned competition. Whether you’re chasing a qualifying total, a new PB, or your first competition experience, Lift Off III is your opportunity to step onto the platform and put your training to the test.

📅 Competition Day: Sunday 18th October

🎟 Registrations Open: Sunday 26th July @ 6:00pm AEST

Spots have sold out quickly every year, so if you plan to compete, don’t wait. Once registrations open, you’ll want to be ready.

3... 2... 1... LIFT OFF.

💕 Freya 💕 wants to play hide and seek!

Did you find her? 👀👀👀👀

Behind every coaching session, competition day, and personal bests are years of experience spent working with people at every stage of the strength journey.

Over the years, we’ve coached complete beginners learning their first squat, members building confidence in the gym, and athletes progressing from their first competition to representing Australia on the international stage. While the goals may be different, one thing has remained the same: every person deserves coaching that meets them where they are and helps them move forward.

The longer we’ve coached, the more we’ve realised that great coaching isn’t about applying the same approach to everyone. It’s about understanding the individual, building trust, and helping them achieve things they once thought were out of reach.

We thought it was time to share a little more about who we are, how we got here, and why we’re so passionate about what we do.

We’d love to know what’s one goal you’re currently working towards?

Last weekend, Thomas barney stepped onto the platform at 2 Beau 2 Furious with one clear objective: secure a qualifying total for Nationals next year.

This was a last-minute competition entry, which meant we didn’t have the luxury of building a proper peaking block. There wasn’t time for the volume or intensity phases we’d normally use to prepare for a meet. Instead, this was an opportunity to see what Thomas could produce off the back of consistent training without specific competition preparation.

The result? A 35kg competition PB and a qualifying total secured on his second deadlift.

For the final deadlift, we made the decision to take a shot at 305kg. We knew it was a reach on the prep we’d had, and that 300kg was probably the more likely lift. But with a 700kg total on the line, it was worth taking the opportunity. It wasn’t there on the day, but that’s part of the sport.

More importantly, this meet gave us exactly what we needed - valuable information about where Thomas is currently at and what we need to build over the coming months. With a full training cycle ahead of us, we’re excited to see what we can put together for Nationals next year.

A big thank you to ben ihle for handling Thomas throughout the day.

And also congratulations to Jason Raby|Average Powerlifter|Dunning Kruger Specialist for snagging the slab of monsters.

A huge congratulations to Michael on a fantastic day on the platform at City Strength in NSW! 💪

With a trip already planned to catch up with friends, it was the perfect opportunity to fit in a competition, gain some valuable platform experience, and have some fun along the way.

The result?

🏋️ Squat: 115kg → 125kg (+10kg)
🏋️ Bench: 85kg → 90kg (+5kg)
🏋️ Deadlift: 165kg (matched his competition best)

That adds up to a 15kg competition PB total—an awesome result from a meet that wasn’t even the main focus.

As an added bonus, the competition also gave us a full showcase of Michael’s platform facial expressions. From absolute determination to “I’m questioning every life decision that led me here,” we’re pretty sure we’ve got enough photos to keep him humble for a while. 😂

Congratulations Michael! This competition was an important stepping stone, and we’re excited to turn our attention back to the competition we’ve been building towards at the end of the year.

A big thank you as well to Liz Craven and Sarah Wheal for handling Michael on the day. Having experienced people in your corner makes a huge difference, and we really appreciate you both helping to make the day run so smoothly.

Bring on the end of the year! 👊

📸 Photos by Thirds

Did you know that gym memberships are now available at MD Strength?

While many people know us for our coaching services, we also offer membership options for those who simply want access to a great place to train.

At MD Strength, we’ve created a space for people who value quality equipment, a supportive community, and the freedom to train on their own terms.

Choose between:
🏋️ Gym Only Membership
Train on world-class equipment with 24/7 access in a performance-focused environment.

❄️ Gym & Recovery Membership
Enjoy 24/7 access to both our gym and recovery facilities, helping you train hard, recover well, and stay consistent.

With memberships intentionally capped, you’ll spend less time waiting for equipment and more time focused on your training.

Whether you’re chasing strength, improving your fitness, or simply looking for a better place to train, there’s a membership option to suit you.

Swipe through to learn more.

Ready to get started? Send us a message or visit us for a tour of the facility.

Because we know that a great training environment can make all the difference.

Everyone deserves access to great coaching.

Whether you’re learning your first squat, building strength for life, preparing for competition, or pursuing high-performance goals, the right guidance can make all the difference.

At MD Strength, we’ve built coaching pathways designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.

From beginners to competitive athletes, our coaching is built on the same commitment to education, progression, and long-term success.

Swipe through to explore our coaching options and find the pathway that best matches your goals.

Ready to get started? Send us a message and let’s talk about where you’re headed.

Squad Member Highlights | Part 2 💪

Another round of big lifts, hard-earned PBs, and the results of consistent work in training.

👏 Gary put together an incredible performance, squatting 240kg (+17.5kg), benching 150kg (+15kg), and deadlifting 240kg (+5kg) after running a few blocks building up his conventional deadlift compared to his sumo at his last competition in November. That’s a massive 37.5kg PB added to his total in just a few months.

👏 Grant squatted 270kg, a lift that means even more when you know the story behind it. Back in his 20s, his best squat was 170kg. More than 15 years later, he’s added 100kg to that number and continues to prove that strength doesn’t have an expiry date.

👏 Nate finished his last training block with a strong 150kg bench press. With his first competition coming up in August, he’s building plenty of momentum heading into prep.

👏 Aislinn Ottway wrapped up another block by hitting an incredible 175kg for 10 reps. Since Nationals, we’ve been refining her technique, building tolerance and confidence with those changes, and laying an even bigger foundation for future performance. The work she’s put into the process is paying off, and we’re seeing her strength continue to build from an even stronger baseline.

Big congratulations to the entire squad continuing to show up and put in the work week after week.

Coached by Mark Derrick and Lee-Ann Derrick

Progress isn’t always measured by competition results. Sometimes it’s found in the reps you earn, the consistency you build, and the confidence that comes from showing up week after week.

👏 Susan Varga hit a huge 105kg deadlift PB. Her consistency and commitment to training have been outstanding, and it’s great to see that hard work translating into bigger numbers on the bar.

👏 Thomas barney squatted 220kg for 6 reps, the most reps he’s ever completed at this weight. With competition just around the corner, we’re excited to see what all this work turns into when he steps onto the platform.

👏 weyhan_ng continues to earn his reputation as a grind king, knocking out a solid rep PB with 185kg for 6 for squats.

👏 leanne_mai_ finished her last block with 130kg x 3 squats and 150kg x 3 deadlifts. Considering she recently hit 135kg for squats and 160kg for deadlifts at Nationals, she’s building back into some serious strength and setting the foundation for what’s next.