Testimonials
Okpoko

“I have had the pleasure of working with James since I first made the USA open national equipped team back in 2016. I placed second at the 2016 IPF World Championship, third at the 2017 IWGA Powerlifting Championship, and first at 2018 Classic World Championship with James’s programming and coaching, as well as set various American and World records. He goes above and beyond for his clients, and I can’t wait to see what else the future holds.”

-Charles Okpoko

Natalie H.

”James Townsend is the best coach I have worked with for a handful of reasons. The support and genuine investment he has in every one of his athletes is incredible. With a schedule that sometimes is quite busy, James is accommodating, flexible, and attentive. He takes the time to view every training video and provide thorough technical feedback which has drastically improved my lifting and technique over the last 3 years. Because of his attention to detail, I have become a much more consistent lifter, which is better for both the athlete and coach. I can’t recommend James enough for power lifters who are truly willing to work hard and want to get to the next level.”

-Natalie Hansen

Allegra H.

"I started working with James after 2016 Open Nationals when I made the Open National Team. Since working with James I have attained a national and world titles, various American records in both raw/equipped, and made national teams in both raw/equipped divisions. 

I think what's great about our athlete-coach relationship is that we both have a mutual understanding of each other and typically have the same goals for my training and meet performance. 

One of the accomplishments under James I am proud of is the development of strength I have gained in the bench press. I went from being someone who never even came close to medaling in the event-to earning a bronze in bench press and 2016 IPF Jr. Worlds (equipped) and 2018 IPF Classic Worlds (raw). I look forward to the many more meets and press we conquer together in the future!" 

-Allegra Hudson

Becci

“I started working with James to prep for the 2017 Open Nationals. That year I won the 2017 USAPL Open Nationals, I was a 2017 USAPL National team member, and a world champion deadlift at the 2017 IPF Open Worlds. I have also broken and set deadlift American Records and won the Bodybuilding.com Pro Deadlift challenge.

James and I have a great athlete-coach dynamic. We communicate well and we both have the same goals for training and meet day performance.

I am most proud of my deadlift and bench press improvements since I started training with James. Each week I am hitting new weights I only imagined I would be lifting.”

-Becci Holcomb

Dale

“I've been training with James since 2013. I've had goals that I wanted to achieve for many years, but they kept eluding me. James' aggressive and smart style of programming and coaching has helped me achieve many of my goals and we keep pushing for more.

Powerlifting is always a work in a progress and I just keep making progress with James.”

-Dale McLaren

TraShon

“In training I thought I had hit my biggest plateau, but working with James within the last year has shown me there’s always room for improvement. I can’t wait to see what the future holds with Elite Iron.”

-TraShon Hightower

Gabby

“I started training with James in October of 2017 after I competed in my second meet at the USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals. I was new to the powerlifting world, and had only been training for about a year, so I was looking for someone that could help mentor and teach me about this sport. He helped me prepare for the 2018 A7 Bar Grip Pro Raw Challenge at the Arnold. His programming is sound, and the best that you can get. He was also able to help manage a shoulder injury through programming during training, and I was still able to manage big personal records across the board. His programming helped me place 10th overall at the Arnold with a 20 point jump in Wilks, 44 pound total increase, and personal records in all three lifts.”

-Gabby Felps

Jordan

“James adapted training to account for spinal fusion surgery, something many trainers would avoid. He’s aggressive in terms of training, but cares about his lifters’ health.”

-Jordan Kummer

“I saw James at a meet coaching Austin and noticed the intensity and skill of his lifters and I wanted to become this. I then heard of his reputation and was intrigued.

You can look anywhere, you’ll never find another James Townsend. His type no longer exist. James cares more about his lifters and his gym more than any other coach out there. Under James, I’ve competed in 9 meets. I’ve hit numbers that I never thought I would hit. I’ve placed top 3 in majority of the meets that I showed up to. I’ve put close to a 100 pounds each on every lift. My technique has improved significantly. My comfort and knowledge at meets is beyond what I ever thought it would be. I dealt with life threatening health issues at 31-32 years of age. During this time, James stood right by side. He knew it was critical for my health and my piece of mind to keep lifting. He coached me through this (in a safe and controlled way) and I continued to lift and competed twice during this time in my life. Furthermore, Elite Iron is a phenomenal gym. Best of best equipment, irreplaceable location at the main and main of Suwanee, and unique encouraging environment. Whether you’re a world level lifter, a high school football player, someone whose never even worked out, “EI” is a gym you will not be able to find anywhere. If you RE seeking results, I’d seek Elite Iron Sports Performance.”

- Henry Kushner

James Townsend brought me to Elite Iron back before it was EI. I wanted to bench over 600lbs and at the time I benched 350lbs. That was back in 2015! Been with James almost a decade.

Accomplishments: 694lb bench press, 2xOpen national bench press champion, Bronze medalist at Bench Press worlds, 4 state open records, added 300lbs to my bench press, assistant coach on the World Open team, Head coach of the NAPF open team.

- Austin Brown