When it comes to strength and conditioning, Marty Mills has one primary focus: mastering the fundamentals. As the Director of Strength and Performance at Center Grove High School and owner of The School of Strength LLC, Marty believes that excellence is built upon doing simple things savagely well. His mantra is clear: “Brilliant with the basics.” It’s not about complicated or flashy exercises; it’s about flawless execution of the essentials.
Technique Matters
At The School of Strength, Marty and his team emphasize technique above all else. Their training revolves around the idea of rep integrity and rep discipline. Every rep is treated as a reflection of an athlete’s character—something to be done with focus and pride. As Marty often says, “Each rep is your reputation. You should take great pride in every single rep that you do and hold it to the highest standard possible!” This relentless attention to detail drives home a powerful message: mastery comes from discipline.
In Marty’s words, “Results always tell the truth.” No matter how much weight is lifted or how many reps are completed, it means little if the athlete sacrifices form. At The School of Strength, they never prioritize heavier weights or extra reps at the cost of proper technique. Their simple training philosophy, done with savage levels of execution, energy, and enjoyment, drives incredible results.
The Myth of Fatigue: Chasing Productivity, Not Exhaustion
One key aspect of Marty’s philosophy is his avoidance of unnecessary fatigue. Many coaches may push athletes to exhaustion, believing that fatigue equals progress, but Marty disagrees. Quoting famed coach Yuri Verkhoshansky, he reminds us that “Any idiot can make another idiot tired.” In his view, fatigue is not the same as improvement. When an athlete perceives fatigue, their ability to respond to training diminishes. That’s why he emphasizes planned rest, which allows for full recovery, optimal output, and ultimately, better results.
“Rest,” Marty insists, “ensures you’re actually training speed, strength, and power.” By backing off when fatigue sets in, he protects the athletes’ performance, ensuring they are not just busy but truly productive. This intentional approach leads to long-term athletic success.
No Conditioning or Endurance Training
Marty’s weightlifting program doesn’t include conditioning for a very specific reason: the focus is on building power, strength, and explosiveness. Here’s why endurance conditioning is counterproductive in their program:
- Reduces Vertical Jump Power & Explosive Speed
- Decreases Fast-Twitch Fiber Activation (the muscle fibers responsible for explosive movements)
- Converts Fast Muscle Fibers to Slow Twitch (leading to reduced power and speed)
The priority is clear: develop athletes to perform at their peak with strength and explosive power, not endurance. By maintaining this focus, athletes maximize their potential without compromising their explosive capabilities.
Environment Is Everything: Building Unbreakable Athletes
At The School of Strength, the training environment is everything. Marty’s goal is to build unbreakable athletes—athletes who are more durable, more resilient, and harder to break. His training methodology revolves around three core pillars: lifting, jumping, and sprinting.
- Lift to increase strength, tissue resilience, and support the development of other qualities.
- Jump to build vertical force and power.
- Sprint to develop force, power, and velocity.
This holistic approach doesn’t just build strength; it builds better athletes. Marty’s athletes not only get stronger but also faster, more explosive, and better at their sport. “If you got stronger but didn’t get faster, jump higher, or improve your sport,” Marty asserts, “then you didn’t get stronger.”
The Power of Simplicity
Marty is clear: while simple training may not be flashy, it works. In a world filled with complex programs and endless exercises, Marty focuses on a few essential movements done consistently and at a high level of execution. The structure of his athletes’ training sessions is straightforward:
- Get Fast/Explosive: Exercises like box squats, dumbbell jumps, sleds and kettlebell swings.
- Get Strong: Heavy variations of bench presses, squats, and deadlifts.
- Get Jacked: Higher-volume exercises to build muscle mass and fitness.
Every session, year-round, is built on this foundation of speed, strength, and muscle development.
Love What You Do, Love Where You Train
At the core of Marty’s program is a deep love for the work itself. He strives to create an environment where athletes thrive, not only because of the physical results they achieve but because of the experience they have. “It’s all about loving what you do, loving where you work, and loving who you get to be around,” he says. Marty wants every athlete who steps into the Center Grove weight room to leave with positive memories and a sense of accomplishment. His program is designed to give every student an opportunity to get better—every single day.
In the end, Marty Mills is not just training athletes—he’s shaping them into disciplined, resilient, and unbreakable competitors. By focusing on the fundamentals, avoiding unnecessary fatigue, and fostering a love for training, Marty has created a system that doesn’t just build stronger athletes but builds better human beings. At The School of Strength, every rep counts, and every athlete leaves stronger—both physically and mentally.
