KSI was established in 1986 as one of the first professional, commercial services of its kind established in the world, and one of the few to exclusively focus on the physical development of the elite athlete. In the 25 years since inception, KSI has serviced athletes at the elite level in over 20 different sports and in over 10 different countries. It may be safe to say that more athletes and more sports in more countries have been personally touched by KSI than any other service provider.

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In sports there are coaches of legendary proportions. In football there is celebrated Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi. In basketball, Pat Riley orchestrated the LA Lakers during their championship years. And in baseball, New York Yankees manager Joe Torre's teams have captured 3 of the last 4 World Series Titles. What makes each of these coaches so unique is that time and time again they have produced results and contended for championships. They were able to motivate and teach their players how to become winners and achieve success. 

For nearly two decades when the world's top athletes were searching for the man with the answers in regard to athletic preparation, Ian King is the person they most sought out. King has developed the training programs for hundreds of elite athletes in over 20 sports and from more than 10 countries. King has prepared athletes for every winter and summer Olympic Games since 1988, and every Commonwealth Games since 1984, as well as World Championships and World Cups in numerous sports.  

When not instructing athletes on how to reach their maximum physical potential, King is also an educator and contributing writer to a number of magazines to include Men's Health, Mind and Muscle Power, and Testosterone.--Rob Wilkins, Special Assistant to the International Federation of Bodybuilders, in an Interview With Strength Coach Ian King

A few weeks ago, several members of the Testosterone crew were sitting around talking shop. The question came up, "What's the most effective type of training you've tried recently?" Much to our surprise, everyone around the table said the same thing: Ian King.  

There's really no doubt about it. Ian King is the strength coach for the 21st century. In our opinion, the science of getting bigger and stronger can be equally divided into two time periods: Before King and After King. He's that good.--TC Louma, in Heavy Metal, A Q and A with the King of Strength Coaches, Ian King (7/7/2000, T-Mag).

What does it really take to become a great strength coach? For the most part it requires two things: a passion for sport and a unquenchable thirst for learning. Ian King has both of those qualities in spades. He began his career as an athlete. Soon, other athletes were coming to him for advice. Not long after he began coaching, other coaches started coming to him to further their education.  

The term "strength coach" doesn't completely describe what Ian does. He's a physical preparation expert. Sure, he can take an elite athlete to the top of his game, but he can also help the average guy add an inch to his arm measurements or add 20 quick pounds to his bench press.  

And although he refuses to brag about his achievements or count the medals his athletes have brought home from the Olympics, I can tell you he's worked with athletes in over twenty different sports, in more than ten different countries. In fact, he's prepared athletes for every winter and summer Olympic Games since 1988, and every Commonwealth Games since 1984, as well as World Championships and World Cups in numerous sports.-- Chris Shugart, in Coach of coaches: An interview with Ian King

Ian King is the antithesis of what you may think a strength coach would be. Other than the proper diction of his Australian accent (which made my New York accent seem all that much more abrasive), Ian is not a pundit of any particular method or secret strategy obtained from scientific calculations. He does not claim to be privy to some "perfect rep range" based on an arcane principle known only to East Romanian Olympic gold medalists. Ian's approach to strength training depends on who is being trained and for what purpose. One size does not fit all.  

He may not be well known (yet) outside of his homeland of Australia, but what Ian King has to offer, in terms of bodybuilding expertise, is an invaluable import. Ian states his case in an uncharacteristically soft-spoken manner, but he makes his point clear. Ask most any other power lifter to speak about his "stats" and he'll jump at the chance, but Ian thought it gauche to recite numbers or to draw attention to himself, even though he has finished no lower than third place in several national power lifting championships.  

At first, I found his reluctance to speak about his accomplishments peculiar, but Ian wasn't trying to be intentionally cryptic. It soon became apparent that he's a humble man and very well aware that his personal accomplishments aren't a factor in how he can help others with their personal strength goals. That alone sets him miles apart from his contemporaries.  

To so many of the currently popular exercise "authorities," the line of thinking is, "It worked for me, so it'll work for you." More often than not, it seems as if good portions of these "principles" are little more than a marketable gimmick. You'll get no such spin doctoring from Ian King. No shortcuts here. What you will get is a wealth of knowledge and an extensive understanding of effective exercise techniques that can make that elusive quest for physical progress an obtainable reality.--Nelson Montana in An Interview With Ian King - The Thunder From Down Under

I don't think there is another strength and conditioning coach in the world who has contributed as much to the field and its evolution as you. Most people try to bury their past mistakes, you allow others to learn from them.--Rob

Also I would like to congratulate Mr. King for the great work he is doing. I think he's the best coach an athlete could have and he's been doing a lot, with his books and articles, even for 'common people' like me. Keep it up!--Stefano

I am a corporate fitness trainer and I own my athletic training business. I owe much of my success in the field of fitness to your training principles and to the mentoring of my roommate. You have taught me to push the envelope, go against the grain, and be anything but traditional in both my personal and professional approach to fitness. I would just like to thank you for sharing your knowledge of strength and conditioning with myself and others as it has had a definitive impact on my life. Continue your hard work in the industry and know that it makes a difference to many of the people who follow you. Sincerely,--Ben

Ian, I have applied your methods for three years to my clients and have experienced greater and faster results than anything my $150 textbooks even began to approach.  Keep doing what your doing and don't conform to any mold or ideal that promises more money or fame.  This is what sets you apart.  God bless you!--Jimi

Ian, as always you are ahead of the game. I have to tell you that all the things I have learned in the past few years from you have been instrumental in not only monetary gains through business, but my learning curve has jumped ahead by leaps and bounds. Because of the style that I train people in, due greatly to your influence, my client retention is at an all time high. I am so busy that people from other gyms are waiting for an opening to get in to train with me. I owe you a great deal of gratitude. Thanks so much for everything.

--David