Mission Statement
​
Big Lake Barbell Company’s mission is to empower and equip individuals with the tools to be successful in their pursuit of strength, performance, and ultimately a higher quality of life.
Why choose us?
We are a small start up company out of Owosso, MI. Matt Doherty, the owner, has a Bachelors in Physical Education, Minor in exercise science and entrepreneurship and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Big Lake Barbell's goal is to give you the information Matt didn't have when he was growing up, a consistent program and the push from others to conquer your goals. Big Lake Barbell is no ordinary personal training business, we meet you where you are at on your fitness journey, and act as a guide to help you reach levels of fitness and performance you haven't experienced yet.
Our basic programs are designed to get you into the gym and introduce you many different exercises. They are sneak peaks for you to see how Matt writes programs for his coaching clients. They are small parts of a larger plan, meant for people that may not be ready to hire a coach, but want to see how a professional plans out their training. For clients that want the full experience we offer a coaching package that takes you from point A all the way to Z.
​
So, "Why Choose Us?" We want to grow the strength that you already have, and unleash the potential that you have not found. Our programs are built with the knowledge and expertise to push you further: the real question is "Why Not?"
Origins of BLB
Founded during the Covid 19 pandemic Big Lake Barbell Company found its humble origins in Owosso Michigan. It’s Founder, Matthew Doherty was a young strength coach, and strongman competitor who had recently had an internship cancelled during the early months of the pandemic. Without a gym of his own nor a gym to train at, Matthew turned his attention to his day job at Home Depot, working 60 hours a week for the spring and summer of 2020. During that summer he still kept training on his own in case a competition popped up, building or buying and acquiring implements to train with. Matthew, with the help of his friends and family built a DIY car deadlift machine out of lumber and pipe, bought an old squat rack from his high school, acquired some tractor tires for free, and atlas stones from a local strongman champion. The lack of equipment available due to shortages, demanded resourcefulness and creativity from Matthew to keep training.
That resourcefulness paid off, because a competition had been scheduled for early september. Michigan’s Strongest man looked like it was finally going to happen after being postponed. Matthew and his training partner Elisha began their prep in early August, with their homemade equipment. Progress was being made week after week, then a week before the competition, Michigan’s strongest man was cancelled. But fortunately Ohio’s strongest man was still happening. However the events were completely different. Matthew and Elisha went down to Ohio to compete in a contest with different events than what they had trained for on less than a week’s notice. Surprisingly they both put forth a respectable performance, with Elisha hitting a 585 lb deadlift, a 405 lb keg load over bar. With both of them pulling a semi truck for the first time, and carrying a 550 lb frame. They hadn’t won the competition, but just the fact that they were able to go and perform was enough to make the trip worth it at the time. It is this tenacity and resourcefulness that Big Lake Barbell is founded on. It is Matthew’s ambition to design training programs, and build implements that will rank among the finest in the strength and conditioning world. With a combination of old school grit and new school techniques, Big Lake Barbell Company is here, and desires to confront whatever challenges await.
Owner of Big Lake Barbell
Bachelors in Physical Education.
Minor in exercise science and entrepreneurship.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Likes to lift heavy stuff and eat food, lots of food…..like a-lot of food.
Matthew Doherty
CEO of Big Lake Barbell
Currently in the process of receiving his bachelors in Marketing and business management. Likes Mac and Cheese from Chinese buffet restaurants and enjoys having his own space to work.