Fridley Gym Owner Spurs on Power Weight Lifters

With an AC/DC song blaring over the sound system at the Horsepower Strength & Conditioning gym in Fridley, college track and field shot put thrower Tom Anderson psyched up to lift 335  pounds. 
On this Wednesday afternoon, Anderson's attempt at the power clean lift fell short of the mark. 
But in the month and a half since Anderson, a student at Arizona State University, began working with Horsepower's owner Matt Miller, he has "made a lot of progress.
"This is probably my best summer of (weightlifting) training," said Anderson, a 2012 graduate of Andover High School.  
Anderson is among Miller's 70 clients at the no-frills weightlifting and conditioning  gym that is in an office warehouse district. Miller's customers range from professional athletes ( he has an Olympic cross country skier and couple of Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters)  to weekend warriors.
But one thing they all share in common is a desire to build themselves physically and pursue that goal in a serious manner, Miller said.
"I just want to help athletes reach their potential and want to help them get where they want to go," said Miller, who opened his Horsepower Strength gym in Edina in 2009, then moved his operation to 7259 Commerce Circle West in Fridley last December. 
"It's (Horsepower) like a college gym for everybody," said Miller, who played football at Bethel University and graduated from there with a bachelor's degree in physical education. Later, Miller earned a master's degree in sports management from Concordia University in St. Paul. 
(Miller, of Shoreview, moved his gym to Fridley because he just had had a son nd wanted to be closer to home) 
Miller said, "I'm passionate about strength training and the improvement that people can make with it."
Miller, the only coach on staff, serves most clients in small groups of four or five people. But each person has their own individually-designed program.
People who are serious about their weight lifting or conditioning work out typically three or four times a week. 
Horsepower Strength & Conditioning is open Mondays through Saturdays and closed on Sundays. Miller serves clients by appointment. 
For programs and pricing, you can contact Miller at 763-286 - 1208. 

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