Meet the Coach

Adam Johnston

Head Coach and Founder of Savage Strength

I'm Adam, the founder and head coach of Savage Strength Coaching.

With years of experience in strength sports, I've had the privilege of coaching athletes to the pinnacle of their disciplines.

Battle for Mercia Champion 2023

Qualifications & Certifications

  • Level 4 Certificate in Strength & Conditioning Coach

  • Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy

  • Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training

  • Level 3 Certificate in Sport Massage Therapy

  • Level 2 British Weightlifting Coach

  • Level 2 Technical Official in Olympic Weightlifting

  • Basketball England - Level 1 Assistant Coach

  • Basketball England - Level 1 Referee

  • Strength Coach

  • Strongman Coach to World Champions & Record Holders

  • Atlas Child Development in Weightlifting

  • Optimum Nutrition Certificate in Health & Performance Nutrition

  • Head Coach of Savage Strength Weightlifting Club

  • Head Coach of Savage Strength Strongman Club

  • Head Coach of Savage Strength School

Book a Free Coaching Consultation
Book a Sports Massage
 
 

With years of experience coaching across strength sports, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people get stronger, fitter, and more confident.

I’ve worked with lifters all the way up to world champions and world record holders in Strongman and nationally ranked Olympic weightlifters while providing Strength & Conditioning for various sports.

But my work isn’t just for elite athletes. I coach everyday gym-goers, busy adults, and anyone who wants a clear, effective path to progress.

My programs are built to fit all levels whether you’re stepping under a barbell for the first time or chasing your own performance goals.

I focus on simple, effective, results-driven training, and I bring the same intensity, knowledge, and care to every lifter I work with.

Outside of coaching, I’m a dad of three, a coffee addict, enjoy making cocktails, and play basketball whenever I can.

Long term client, Jo Jersby, standing atop the podium after winning the title of Worlds Strongest Natural Man!

 

What My Lifters Say

Jo Jersby - UKNS Worlds Strongest Junior 2024

 

James Parker - UKNS Englands Strongest Junior -2025

 

JULIA MILLS - WORLDS STRONGEST WOMAN COMPETITOR & WORLD CLASS POWERLIFTER

 

MATHEW RUSSELL - ‘GYM GOER’ & NATIONALLY RANKED OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTER

 

If you’re serious about building lasting strength and want a coach who's in it for the long haul

book a free consultation Below and let’s talk.

Jonny Liddle-Johnson Setting the U105 Natural Srongman Log World Record in January 2025

 
 

Picture taken at the Battle for Mercia 2023

my Personal competition results:

  • Battle For Mercia 2024 (Opens) - 4th

  • BWL Nixon Rowell Memorial Cup 2024 (U109) - 1st

  • BWL Yorkshire Open 2024 (U109) - 1st

  • ABPU Newcastle Qualifier 2024 (U110) - 1st

  • Battle for Mercia 2023 (Opens) - 1st

  • BNSF Northern Englands Strongest Man (Opens) 2022 - 2nd

  • Tyne & Wears Strongest Duo 2022 - 2nd

  • Unassisted Dinnie Stone Lift & Hold 2020 - 12 Seconds

  • Strongest in the North 2019 (Opens) - 2nd

  • UK Truck Pull Championship 2018 (U110) - 2nd

  • Newcastles Strongest 2018 (Inters) - 3rd

  • BNSF Northern Qualifier 2018 (U105) - 4th

  • North East Open 2017 (U105) - 2nd

  • Newcastles Strongest 2017 (Novice) - 1st