Father of the "Bulgarian Method" Ivan Abadjiev Coaching in Benicia, California

California Strength is the sport specific application of knowledge in Olympic weightlifting and sports performance that a non-profit, American Weightlifting started gathering in 2006.

Early Days - AmericanWeightlifting

In 2006 David Spitz decided he wanted to make a run at the Olympics in 2008 in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. Unhappy with the quality and amount of competition in the United States, David set-up American Weightlifting, a 501c3 non-profit, and brought the father of the "Bulgarian Method" of training Ivan Abadjiev to America; along with two athletes, Nikolay Hristov, and Martin Pashov from Bulgaria to live, eat, and train in a house located in Benicia, California.  Over time several other top American weightlifters started training and living in Benicia as well, including Max Aita, James Moser, and Donny Shankle.

The four Americans, David Spitz, James Moser, Max Aita, and Donny Shankle

American Weightlifting is still alive and well, but during the process athletes from other sports started training with the team to better their own speed, strength, and agility. California Strength is the formal training hall and facility that now uses the foundation American Weightlifting started to translate the knowledge of the Olympic lifts and how to get bigger, stronger, and faster for sport.

Martin Pashov and Nikolai Hristov training in Benicia California under American Weightlifting

Needless to say, the training was hard, usually six days per week with 2-6 weightlifting sessions per day depending upon what phase of training the group was in. Ivan Abadjiev worked the athletes tirelessly for over two years and up to the 2008 Olympics. Unfortunately David, the closest in the group to qualifying for the Olympics hurt his shoulder, needing surgery and was unable to qualify for the limited number of American spots for the team.

American Weightlifting still lives on today as a non-profit supporting the re-surgance of Olympic weightlifting in the United States and assists the California Strength team and others around the country with financial support. In addition to California Strengths commitment to employing Olympic weightlifters at its facility in San Ramon, a direct donation is made by the Company as well to American Weightlifting.

California Strength is Born - 

After the 2008 Olympics two primary initiatives provided the foundation for California Strength:

• To translate the speed, strength, and power that the Olympic lifting movements provide to American sports
• Provide a work/train program for USA weightlifters seeking national and international competition

Today California Strength is dedicated to helping athletes achieve success through the relentless pursuit of strength, power, speed and function.·From youth athlete training programs to NFL Combine and Pro Day·Preparation, California Strength is the nationwide authority on·developing strength, power and speed.

California Strength is also home to some of the top Olympic Weightlifters in the US.· The Company works to support amateur·athletes through subsidized employment programs and travel funding to allow them to train full time like their competitors in other countries. With head coach Glenn Pendlay MS in charge of the Olympic Weightlifting Elite Team.

California Strength seeks to provide coaches and athletes alike with the tools, information and equipment they need to succeed through two main avenues. First our sports performance facility currently in San Ramon, California; second through our free website, forums, and videos at CaliforniaStrength.com. David Spitz, Glenn Pendlay, and the entire team also travel the country giving seminars and talks upon request.