Tony Gentilcore: Deadlift Philosophy & Programming: What PTs Get Wrong

In this episode of the True Sports Physical Therapy Podcast, Dr. Yoni Rosenblatt sits down with renowned strength coach Tony Gentilcore to break down one of the most essential, and misunderstood lifts in the gym: the deadlift. From his early days of discovering the lift post-college to his evolution as a coach at Cressey Sports Performance and now founder of Core Collective, Tony offers a goldmine of insight into how to teach, modify, and scale the deadlift for everyone from elite athletes to reluctant gen pop clients.

Tony walks us through his progression strategy, starting with kettlebells and eventually building toward trap bars and straight bar deadlifts, if they even get there. He dives into assessment strategies like the hip scour, ankle dorsiflexion checks, and thoracic spine mobility screens to determine what each client is ready for. But beyond the biomechanical nitty-gritty, Tony hammers home what separates great coaches from average ones: the ability to meet the client where they are, read the room, and stop over-coaching.

The episode also tackles the mistakes physical therapists and strength coaches often make when integrating the deadlift into rehab or performance programs. Tony argues for the value of loading early, even imperfectly, and discusses why certain coaching cues (like “squeeze the orange in your armpits”) are more effective than overloading the athlete with anatomy jargon. He even gives us his favorite underrated accessory exercises, his thoughts on spinal flexion under load, and how to coach "just enough" to allow natural movement correction.

Finally, Tony gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Core Collective, his innovative Boston-based gym that combines strength training with physical therapy, mental health, and other holistic services. He shares what went into designing a facility that blends coaching with comprehensive care, and offers a preview of his upcoming fall seminar. This episode is a must-listen for PTs, coaches, and anyone serious about helping others train smarter, not harder.

Join Tony’s upcoming Core Collective 2025 Fall Seminar: Building the Complete Client.

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