Garry W. Benford received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He was awarded his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education, Cum Laude in 1977. In 1979, Garry graduated Summa Cum Laude with an M.S. in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. His thesis, “Kinematic and Kinetic Analysis of The Squat and Deadlift Powerlift” was performed by National Collegiate Class Powerlifters in 1979.
While at SRU, Garry was President of the Weightlifting Club for five years and competed in four Collegiate National Powerlifting Championships. In 1979 he coached the Collegiate National Team Champion Runner-Up. A leader in personal fitness and conditioning, Garry served as the SRU Athletic Conditioning Supervisor and an instructor for Human Performance in Strength Development.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association selected Garry as the recipient of the Original Member Founders Award in 1978. He received his certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 1988 and was certified as a Personal Fitness Trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 1995.
Garry Benford owned the publication, American Fitness Quarterly from 1980 to 1997 and is the author of Powerlifting: A Guide for Coaches and Athletes (1986). He served as the meet director for eleven National and two World Powerlifting Championships.
In 1989, Garry Benford was inducted into the Powerlifting Hall of Fame. He received an Elite Ranking as 198 lb. Powerlifter in 1990 (710 Squat, 445 Bench Press, 600 Deadlift); a Personal Best of 733 Squat (American Masters Record); and 460 Bench Press (485 American Masters Record); 606 Deadlift, 1776 total
Other honors in powerlifting include:
National Masters 198 lb. Powerlifting Champion (1995, 96, 97, 98,99 and 2000)
National Masters 198 lb. Bench Press Champion (2001, 02)
World Masters 198 lb. Powerlifting Champion
He is currently the Personal Fitness Director of Orthopedic One in Columbus, Ohio.
