Strength & powerlifting coach, based in Newtown
Trained by Marcus Whittaker, EP
11 years · cert-iii-fitness, cert-iv-fitness · ausactive-rep
Where can we train?
Pick one to see the price — Luke runs sessions four ways.
What Luke offers
About Luke
Marcus here. I'm a strength and powerlifting coach based out of a private barbell gym in Newtown. Eleven years coaching, five-plus years competing in the open 93kg class (best total: 717.5kg) and now coaching mostly intermediate and advanced lifters who've stalled on cookie-cutter programs.
How I coach
I write you a specific program — not a template. We meet weekly (or fortnightly once you're rolling) to review video, tune the next block, and run the technical work that's hardest to self-coach: max-effort doubles, peaking weeks, comp-day handling, troubleshooting form errors that only show up under load.
Between sessions you train on your own using the program; I check in via shared Google Sheet + Form-Check videos.
Who I work best with
- Lifters with 1+ years of consistent training who want to push a real total
- General-population clients who want to get strong properly — not "tone"
- People prepping for their first powerlifting meet (I've taken seven first-timers to the platform)
- Returners coming back from a long lay-off who want to skip the dumb mistakes
I don't do bodybuilding contest prep or weight-cuts. If that's what you want, I know the right people and can refer.
Rates
$100/session in-person. $65 online review. 5-pack $450, 10-pack $850. First session is free for new clients — bring whatever data you've got (programs, videos, current bests) and we'll work out if we're a fit.
What's included
- Free 15-minute phone consult before you commit
- Movement assessment + 1-page plan in session 1
- Coordination with your GP if Medicare CDM applies
- Texts between sessions when you need a check-in
- No lock-in. Pay session-by-session.
Came to Luke with a torn meniscus and a fear of squatting again. Six months later I’m deadlifting more than I did before surgery.
I’d been told I had to stop training because of my heart. Luke worked with my cardiologist and got me back on the floor. Honest, no nonsense.
After two kids my back was a mess. Luke didn’t just give me exercises — he taught me how to move like an adult again.
Where Luke trains
Newtown, Enmore, Marrickville, Camperdown, Erskineville, Stanmore — and online Australia-wide.
Centred across 6 service suburbs. Home base in Newtown; in-home, outdoor, and online also available.
Frequently asked
Things to know
- 60-minute appointment
- Movement assessment + plan
- Bring loose clothes & water
- Free reschedule up to 24h before
- 50% fee for late cancel
- No-shows charged full rate
- Reply within 24 hours
- Phone, SMS, or email
- Coordinates with your GP