Starting Strength Radio Strength and Soldiering with Justin Goonan | Starting Strength Radio #321
Jun 13, 2025
Justin Goonan, an Army strength and conditioning coach, dives deep into the unique challenges of training military personnel. He emphasizes the importance of tailored strength training across age groups, ensuring safety for older veterans while maximizing performance for younger recruits. Goonan critiques traditional military fitness assessments, advocating for strength over long-distance running as essential for combat readiness. He also addresses the influence of fitness trends and the necessity for evidence-based, structured training methods to enhance overall military fitness.
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Training Older vs Younger Soldiers
- Justin Goonan works as an Army strength and conditioning coach for diverse age groups, from young to older military personnel.
- Older soldiers need volume control and different training approaches compared to younger ones.
Running vs Strength in Combat
- Running is still popular in military fitness but offers limited combat readiness benefits.
- Strength training delivers more relevant physical improvements than long-distance running.
Force Production Beats Endurance
- The key fitness attribute for combat readiness is force production, not cardiovascular endurance.
- Military training should prioritize strength training for better overall performance.