Instagram story viewer> @thecertifiedstrength> Posts

Malcolm Chavez | Powerlifting & Strength Coach

@thecertifiedstrength

1K

followers

1256

following

🪽I help serious lifters add 50lbs+ to their total
📝For coaching: click link below or dm “COACHING”
📚𝘕𝘈𝘚𝘔 𝘊𝘗𝘛, 𝘊𝘚𝘕𝘊 - 𝘜𝘚𝘈𝘗𝘓 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣, 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘧
✟ 🇵🇭🇺🇸

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

🪽Client Win: Jason Derulo @jason_f09

Getting stronger doesn’t happen from 1 good workout, or 2 good workouts. It’s defined by consistency.

+200lbs on Squat
+110lbs on Bench
+220lbs on Deadlift

The relentless and consistent pursuit of getting stronger is something that Jason excels at. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together and I am so excited to see bro on the platform in the near future.

If you’re looking to get stronger and/or want to powerlift, go to my website or DM me “COACHING”

www.TheCertifiedStrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength by @thecertifiedstrength

25

6

18 days ago

Meet Recap: Abby W.

What a challenging prep for Abby. The prep of absolute doom and despair turned into a PHENOMENAL showcase. 2 weeks ago, Abby failed 397 on squat, 220 on bench. We took a MAJOR pivot into making sure we’re maintaining as much fitness level as possible but heavily prioritizing recovery because her body showed LOTS of signs for us. Keep in mind, we’re 12lbs down…

10kg PR on squats with the MASSIVE 440lbs squat which breaks her own state record by 22lbs and she out squatted many lifters who did Ladies of Iron across the nation. Could not have been more proud.

5kg PR on bench and finally breaking 100kg aka 220lbs. We’ve got so much room to work and lots of new data to use!

Even though we fell short in matching the deadlift PR, we have been SO optimistic because of the upward trend with deadlifts. We’re making leaps in both technique and toleration for heavier deadlifts which, mark my words, will result in 400+ deadlift in NO TIME.

I could not be more proud. The future is bright for Abby. taken in LBN Strength by @thecertifiedstrength

140

34

5 months ago

Client Meet Recap: Zak Mckeon

Zak competed last weekend at the biggest meet we’ve ever been in, Northeast Regionals 2025. He added 33lbs to his squat, 5lbs on bench , and 16.5lbs on deadlifts.

After speaking with Zak post meet, we noticed there were things we could do better for the next meet in terms of his squat. Still, a 33lb squat PR in just a little over 6 months shows big promises for the future.

As far as bench goes, I’m really proud of how resilient Zak was given that he was experiencing debilitating shoulder pain leading up to the meet. We were able to navigate around it and hit a 5lb PR despite technical errors. Too much butt stuff so to say.

Not sure what happened on deadlifts but it always seems to taper VERY VERY well. We didn’t expect much given he failed 463 the week prior to the meet. Safe to say Zak had way more to pull than what we had planned.

Overall, I’m very proud of the way Zak carried himself during training and during the meet. I’m blessed that he is always receptive to everything I say and above all else, he continues to trust me. A coach couldn’t ask for more.

Keep Moving Forward 🪽 taken in Albany Capital Center by @thecertifiedstrength

61

1

a year ago

Deadlift Cue: Pull via Push

Think about pushing the floor away from you instead of pulling the bar off the floor.

When you pull, most of the time your hips will shoot up and you’ll be folded like an omelette because the legs didn’t do any work, your upper body did.

Slack, Wedge, Brace, PUSH!

🪽For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

50

4

4 days ago

Standardize your routine!!

For many, it’s as simple as slowing down or taking a pause before they execute an attempt.

Routines help athletes A LOT by creating a sense of control in an unpredictable environment like meet day.

🪽For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

33

4

4 days ago

Just keep moving forward.

Injuries, aches, pain, etc. Will all happen if you train hard enough. Can it be preventable? Yes. Is it predictable? No.

But understanding that movement, even if slightly painful, paired with good nutrition and sleep, can help build the bridge back to you feeling 100%.

-
🪽For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

74

18

8 days ago

Try this cue to add pounds to your bench press!

Lower your butt slowly.

In powerlifting, having a huge arch, powerful leg drive, and a stable position is a MUST to have a chad bench press.

🪽For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

32

1

9 days ago

It takes perseverance to powerlift long term.

Injuries, life’s challenges, and failures are guaranteed.

What if all the adversity was a requirement for your growth.

Would you respond differently in the face of chaos?

-
For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

48

2

10 days ago

How to become a better powerlifter 101

These are some of the BARE MINIMUM things that every powerlifter/strength athlete should be doing to get stronger.

1. Stick to your program
2. Fill out your workout logs and send videos to coach
3. Do your backdown sets and push accessories
4. Control the externals (food, sleep, water, stress)
5. Communicate with your coach (especially for schedule disruptions, aches, injuries, etc.)
6. Following me adds 100kg to your total

For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

32

2

11 days ago

Bracing properly can make or break a good squat.

It’s not just an inhalation before a rep. It’s purposeful expansion around your midsection (yes, front side and back) to create a massive intra-abdominal pressure to stabilize and create rigidity in your positioning.

Expansion > Contraction

Shoutout @jmklift for this one.

For coaching applications, DM me “COACHING” or visit my website below

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Milford, Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

94

8

14 days ago

Stay in motion twin.

–

For coaching applications, DM here or visit my website

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Milford, Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

57

2

15 days ago

Failure is inevitable for someone who wants to be great.

You trained for months. You sacrificed. You showed up. Then nothing.

That doesn’t erase the work.
It doesn’t make you less of a lifter.
And it certainly doesn’t determine your value.

Powerlifting gives us numbers to measure performance. It was never meant to measure your worth.

For me, my value is found in Christ, not in my performance. That truth is what keeps me moving forward.

Learn from the failure. Adjust. Keep Moving Forward 🪽

Want to get stronger? Apply for coaching in my website or DM me “COACHING”

www.thecertifiedstrength.com
@thecertifiedstrength taken in Milford, Connecticut by @thecertifiedstrength

39

2

16 days ago