In
the fall of 2016 the Judo Canada/Judo Alberta Regional Training Center began
its formal relationship with the LCI Fitness program in efforts to support
developing judo athletes from Judo Canada/Judo Alberta. Since this time we have
had athletes from Alberta, BC, Nova Scotia and Brazil attend LCI to be part of
the LCI fitness program and work with Cory Gillespie.
I
believe that Cory Gillespie provides the expertise in strength and conditioning
training for a judo athlete to excel in our sport. Cory’s detailed approach to
teaching has made a huge impact in each athlete’s performance on the mats. I
have witness athletes become great technical lifters in the gym with their
strength transferring to their training on the judo mats. Through the program
Cory gives the athletes many of the tools needed to be successful in sport
and life; an understanding of teamwork, dedication, goal setting, emotional
control, focus, toughness, courage, anxiety control and concentration.
The
LCI Fitness program is one of the key elements that we use to bring athletes
from across Canada to Lethbridge to train. The training at the LCI Fitness also
allows our athletes to transfer smoothly to the national team in Montreal
because they have already been exposed to a high level of lifting technique. I
believe that the LCI Fitness program provides our athlete a competitive
advantage in athlete long term development because of the daily professionalism
shown by Cory Gillespie.
Ewan Beaton
Judo
Alberta High Performance Coach
Judo Canada
RTC Coach
2004
Olympic Judo Coach
1992 / 1996
Olympian
I
wasn’t officially a student in the Fitness and Performance program; nevertheless, Cory Gillespie welcomed me into the community and helped me transform from an unfocused athlete to the
well-rounded lifter I am today. With every visit to
the fitness center, Mr. Gillespie made the time to break
down movements with me
and share his expertise on any given topic. You can trust that with anything you ask, Mr. Gillespie won’t just give you an answer, but an understanding. I owe much of my fitness knowledge to his passionate teachings, and he also lent me books and resources to help
me learn the fundamentals of lifting. I confidently competed in my first powerlifting meet, with little experience and preparation time, thanks to his coaching and training program. His continued mentorship over three years is a privilege that I will forever be
grateful for.
Mr. Gillespie’s dedication to the Fitness and Performance program puts it head and shoulders above your average weightlifting class. Over his 15+ years of running F&P, he has created a high caliber opportunity for students to not only learn lifting movements but hone their knowledge in nutrition, physiology, and sports psychology. The lifting programs he creates have hand-selected exercises and progressions that prepare students for all avenues of training. He ensures the fitness center is decked out with the best equipment available, offering students early experience with a high-quality facility. On top of that, his passion for all things fitness spreads in contagion to anyone who comes through the program. Every class I joined had students motivated to push past their comforts and achieve new goals. The inclusive and empowering F&P program has all kinds of students looking to join, and for good reason. I am confident that anybody willing to learn can, and will, flourish under Cory Gillespie’s guidance.
The Anaelle Ravelojaona
100% Raw Powerlifting 57 kg 2022 U16 Champion
I have had the privilege of traveling
North America and seeing some of the best coaches and facilities at work.
To be classified as the best I believe that you must demonstrate a few traits.
The uncompromising pursuit of excellence; to constantly improve and innovate,
even when that means going against the status quo and an ability to pass on
your passion to the people around you.
I had the opportunity see these traits
in practice when I volunteered to help Coach Cory Gillespie and LCI Fitness
Program this past winter. Cory has created an amazing opportunity at LCI for
kids to learn and pursue training as a discipline.
I started The Athlete Project years
ago to give kids a platform that I never had. To help them prepare for the
levels of athletics they aspire to play at. To help them see the process of
achievement and learn the craft of work ethic. I am so excited that kids at LCI
get to experience something like this under a coach as passionate as Cory. I am
blessed to worked alongside a person like Cory in an industry with a very low
barrier to entry. The market is flooded with gimmicks and uneducated people
making uneducated claims; all in search of making a dollar off of your dreams
and desires. Often unheard are the best coaches in the industry. I am very
excited for the future of sport performance in Lethbridge with people like this
leading the way.
Travis Steinke *NSCA-CSCS
The Athlete Project – Fuel Lifestyle
and Performance
"My experience
with the LCI Fitness Centre and coaching by Cory Gillespie are the main reasons
why I have the opportunity to participate in post-secondary athletics. The four
years that I spent in the program helped me acquire the athleticism and life
lessons that have helped me to excel moving forward. The facility and equipment
available to students is first class, rivaling the selection and quality of
many University and commercial gyms.
The best part of LCI Fitness is the
coaching and knowledge that Cory possesses and the utilization of it to assist athletes reaching for their potential. The programming and movement analysis that he provided over my
time in LCI Fitness has helped me establish a competitive edge over other athletes. Through the programs I followed in high school I was able to develop strength and athleticism that would not have been
possible otherwise."
JR Wikkerink
University of Victoria Varsity
Rowing
Throughout my time at LCI Mr.
Gillespie played a big role in my athletic development, and introduction into
the world of training. During my time in his Fitness and Performance classes, I
learned a great deal about movement, training, and nutrition. However, more
importantly I learned about community, and family.
To start, if you ever have the
chance to be coached/taught by Mr. Gillespie take it! Whether you are an
athlete trying to improve your physical capabilities for next season, a student
just trying to get credits to pass, or a person who is completely new to the
concept of weight training....work with Mr. Gillespie. I say this because he has
knowledge well beyond his years when it comes to strength, and conditioning,
and he is regarded as one of the key trainers in the Lethbridge fitness
community.
Speaking from personal experience, I would not
be competing in post secondary sport, and be as involved in the fitness
community in Lethbridge if it were not for Mr. Gillespie. Prior to taking Fitness and Performance in my grade 11 year, I was pretty much just an energetic
high-school athlete that had a dream to play volleyball at the next level. All
I knew about weight training was the fact it helps with strength, and over all
health and wellness. However, over the course of my next two years at LCI, Mr.
Gillespie sparked an interest in the world of strength and conditioning within
me. Through his meticulous programming, and careful coaching, he slowly
nurtured my spark into a fire. The fitness center became a second family to me.
I spent at least 4 hours there every week. It gave me a chance to meet
like-minded individuals, and older athletes that I modeled myself after. The
community of the fitness center embraced me like one of its own from day one,
and I am sure it will do the same for you when you walk through the doors.
Nevertheless, I truly have to
thank Mr. Gillespie for all the time he spent analyzing my movement so I could
gain that small extra edge. Now, the fundamental skills I learned in Fitness and Performance class help me in my day-to-day training, my internship at CrossFit
Fuel Lifestyle & Performance, and keeping my body in proper shape to deal
with the demands of ACAC Volleyball.
Nate Heyburn
Lethbridge College Kodiaks Men's Volleyball
My name is Anthony Henry and I was an RTC judo billet that attended LCI from September 2016 - June 2019. Throughout these three years I had the honor of learning to lift under the
guidance of Cory Gillespie. Through his direction I developed a weight training foundation which made a drastic difference in my strength and overall judo performance. In addition,
following my graduation I was able to confidently transition to the National Training Center in Montreal, Quebec where I was expected to have proper lifting fundamentals. Although I have
since changed my direction to furthering my education, thanks to Cory I have developed a passion for lifting that will follow me for the rest of my life. To this day without hesitation Cory
takes the time out of his busy schedule to give me advice and help me progress as a lifter. I highly recommend the Fitness and Performance Program to any student with a drive and willingness to work hard. Cory’s dedication towards this program and his students is unmatched and I am grateful to have Cory as a mentor as well as a role-model.
Anthony Henry
Judo Canada National Training Centre Athlete
“The LCI
Strength & Conditioning program (run by Mr. Cory Gillespie) is what has
launched me into my love of fitness from both an athlete’s and coach’s
perspective. The program opened me to a realm that I believe is very important
for development of both athletes and everyday individuals. Athletes and
individuals that understand the benefits from training will result in individuals being more successful in their sports and careers. Mr. Gillespie’s programming and coaching
taught me self-discipline, perseverance, and how to train appropriately. With a
hands on approach, and positive personality Mr. Gillespie has inspired me to be
better, and now make a career of my own in Strength & Conditioning.”
Liam Hyland
Retired St Francis Xavier University FootballActive Olympic Weightlifting Competitor
St. FX Strength & Conditioning Intern
I spent a lot of time
under Mr. Gillespie’s guidance and training through the Fitness and Performance class.
The LCI Fitness facility is a breeding ground for young athletes to develop and grow under his
qualified guidance. Mr. Gillespie has provided quality equipment and a positive atmosphere for
the gym. The fundamentals and teaching styles he uses are the building blocks
that I continue to use today in my training. His programs are easy to follow
and use a ton of functional movements. If a person takes the Fitness and Performance program from start to finish, they will be
able to evaluate movement and safely teach peers hot to pursue fitness on their own. The teaching is hands on and focuses on refining the basics and building advanced level skills. Mr. Gillespie’s ability to prioritize
an individual in a large group setting, allows for fast learning and personal
achievements. He knows how to utilize verbal cues and videos to communicate performance
deficiencies and form breakdowns to correct and achieve a movement that is performed with a high level of proficiency.
Alongside Mr. Gillespie’s ability
to teach, is his quality to mentor. He wants to see you prosper and grow. For
those who take it seriously, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience to pour
out into you. He is never too busy to show you something or encourage you.
Using his teachings, I went from barely squatting 135 to smoking 460. Do the
programs as written and trust the course! It’s more than a class you’ll take in
high school, but rather something you can continue to use through life.
Felix Rashleigh
Canadian Drug Free
Powerlifting
Teen 220 class National Record holder in squat and deadlift
After spending
only a couple weeks in Mr. Gillespie’s class I was hooked. His class changed my
life. I did not think of myself as an athlete before I took the class but now I
define myself as a high performance athlete.
I did not think that nutrition was valuable but now my whole worldview
has changed and so has my family’s entire diet.
I did not know what I wanted to do when I graduated but now I am working
in a career I love, as a result of his inspiration. I am healthier, happier, fitter, and way more
motivated as a result of the time I spent in his class. This class was the most influential course I
took in high school and Mr Gillespie was the most inspirational teacher I
had.
Mr. Gillespie
has an immense knowledge of the physiology of the body but he also made it fascinating
to learn. His well thought out classes
were full of useful knowledge that helped me grasp what the human body was
capable of. Mr. Gillespie’s knowledge of
nutrition was also amazing! He analyzes
every student’s diet and has a personal one-on-one conversation with each
student about how their diet could be improved with some simple progressive
changes. He would never shame you for eating a couple cookies or drinking a pop
- he only used positive motivation to encourage me to make healthier decisions.
He also taught us what CrossFit is and he explained the importance of
functional fitness. The training was challenging but it was designed to improve
our physical capabilities in every way. Regardless of what sport you do, or
even if you don’t think you are an athlete, this training is bound to improve
your skills.
For me, I gained
a love for the human body and I decided to take a different approach to
life. I applied to a paramedic program
and after 6 months of intense schooling I passed my final exam with 100%. I have been accepted in to college to become
an advance care paramedic. The dedication and concept of continual progression
that Mr Gillespie had drilled into my head leaked into my academics - I had
finally found something I loved and I tried my absolute hardest to be
successful. I credit Mr. Gillespie and
the classes he taught me for that. I
highly recommend that you take this class and get as hooked as I did!
Caden Seaforth
Class of 2018
I started weight
lifting in the Fitness and Performance program with Mr. Gillespie in grade 11. My
goal was to develop the proper lifting techniques and start building a
foundation that would benefit me throughout my athletic career. This has lead me
to become physically stronger in Judo. Mr.
Gillespie was great in customizing my weight program that I still follow to
this day. He has been an essential part of my progress as an athlete.
Annabelle Darlow
Judo Canada National Training Centre Athlete
I took all levels of Fitness and Performance and Physical Education classes from Grade 10 to Grade 12, graduating in 2017. The
work that is done in the LCI Fitness Centre community is built, developed and
continually inspired by the programming and teachings of Cory Gillespie. Having
turned a medium-sized side room of the school into an accessible environment
that is the best gym I have had the opportunity to attend in Western Canada.
Once you walk into this space you are continually encouraged not to only become
a better athlete, a healthier person or an effective student; you will become a
better person! I could ramble on about Mr. Gillespie's empowerment he gives
students, his insightful and helpful nature or that he inspired me to follow a
career in exercise science. However, the perfect summation of Gillespie is the
first line he said to me and an entire class when we entered the fitness Centre
while teaching us how to stand with a barbell. "Don't look at the ground,
only old people and losers look at the ground. Since, none of you are looking
at the ground to make sure you're not gonna fall over, I know you are not old.
And I know none of you are losers because you were brave enough to come in here
and wanted to be better."
Dan O'Connor
Clansmen Rugby Football Club
U19 Prairie WolfPack Rugby
Throughout
my 4 years at LCI I had the privilege to be a part of the Fitness and
Performance Program at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute that is taught/coached
by Mr. Gillespie. I also had the
opportunity to work alongside Mr. Gillespie as a coach/trainer in the Advanced
Fitness and Performance Coaching course.
During my time in all courses within the Fitness and Performance program
I learned so much and loved every minute of it. The program and Mr. Gillespie
were such a huge part of getting to where I am now. I feel fortunate that I was afforded the
opportunity to be a part of the program from both the perspective of an athlete
and a coach.
I
started the program as High School athlete with no experience in training, weightlifting
and very little experience. Mr. Gillespie
slowly worked with me on perfecting my technique and refining movement
patterns. I never thought I would know
how to Olympic lift but because of him I do, and I continually work to refine
the techniques he has taught me. Without the knowledge I gained from this
program I would have been behind in the training portion of being a
post-secondary student athlete.
Throughout
my time in the program, I had my fair share of sport-related injuries, that
prevented me from always being able to apply what I had learned and sometimes
halting my progress. Mr. Gillespie liked to say that grade 10 was the year I
was “broken” because I had so many small injuries that it was hard for me to
fully do the workouts and I sent most of my time in rehab-based exercise. Throughout this time, Mr. Gillespie was always
there to push me along no matter what my limitations were. He was constantly encouraging and motivating
me to do my best. He helped me stay on top of my rehab exercises to better my
injures and get back to the sport I love. Because of my experience pushing
through injuries and going through extensive amounts of rehab I started to
develop an interest in the rehabilitation side of training. Mr. Gillespie
helped me find the career path I am now pursuing; I have begun my studies to
become a Physiotherapist and could not be happier
Lastly,
I wanted to thank Mr. Gillespie for his endless encouragement and never giving
up on me when it came to fixing my movements and my broken body. Everything I learned from being in the program
has done nothing but benefit me as an athlete and person in general. If you can
be a part of this program and be coached my Mr. Gillespie, do not hesitate! I promise it is worth it!
Fiona
Hyland
Stephens
College Women’s Volleyball