Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates #389 Dave Tate - Elite Strength, Coaching, and Community
Aug 12, 2025
Dave Tate, the founder of EliteFTS and a powerhouse in the strength and coaching community, shares his insights on training and personal growth. He discusses his current training goals and the evolving nature of performance objectives as we age. Dave reflects on the sacrifices he made in pursuit of elite strength, while highlighting the critical role of community in today’s gyms. He also dives into the significance of adaptability in training, the value of long-form writing in the industry, and his passion for coaching that continues to drive him forward.
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Yearly Squat Anchor
- Dave Tate trains around a yearly one-rep squat PR using a spider bar.
- He phases conditioning, hypertrophy, and strength to peak without fixed dates.
Sliding Goals Reduce Pressure
- Dave Tate avoids fixed meet dates to reduce overreach and injury risk.
- He slides annual goals and adjusts conditioning and weight to remain sustainable.
All‑In Era And Its Costs
- Early in his career Dave Tate accepted severe health trade-offs for performance.
- He now says smarter PED timing and recovery could've extended his peak.