Tom
Butler
is the founder and creator of Strength Through Science (STS). As a
college basketball strength coach, Tom Butler revolutionized the
world of jump training, having many of his athletes increase over
10 inches on their vertical jumps.
He has a 2nd degree
black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 1st degree black belt in Kempo
Karate, and a purple belt in Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu. In 1997 he
became the blue belt masters unlimited weight class Rickson Gracie
Jiu Jitsu World Champion. Tom Butler started strength training on
his 10th birthday when he received his first weight set as a
birthday present. With over 30 years of strength training
experience, he achieved a 400 lb. bench and a 500 lb. dead lift.
In his own words:
"As a strength
coach, I realize that my success is truly measured by the
performance improvements made by my athletes. My team of doctors,
coaches, and I have spent many years researching the most
effective training methods to enhance athletic ability.
Many people ask me
how and why I became so obsessed with strength, flexibility, and
physical performance. You could say it was inspiration through
desperation. A
tragic accident had almost left me crippled for life. On June
25th, 1990, at 9:00 a.m., I had my legs torn off in a near fatal
motorcycle accident. I suffered multiple compound fractures of the
tibia and fibula, multiple segmental fractures of
the femur, and a crushed patella. My bones literally tore through
my skin. The doctors told me that I may never walk again. Through
the course of many complex reconstructive surgeries, Dr. Erick
Johnson, Chief of Trauma Reconstructive Surgery at the UCLA
Medical Center, bolted my legs back onto my body. My left kneecap
had to be amputated during my 6th surgery. I underwent a total of
7 surgeries to reconstruct my legs.
This tragedy
sparked an incredible amount of enthusiasm for recovery. I became
obsessed with learning everything I could about strength and range
of motion. I studied everything I could, talked to
several different doctors, trainers, and coaches, and trained
hardcore. After my legs were bolted back on, recovery became an
issue of strength and range of motion. I became the most flexible
super heavy weight strength athlete in the whole world. My case
was presented at the World's Physician's Convention in December
1991 by Dr. Erick Johnson. Now I have maximum range of motion and
enough strength to lift a Volkswagen."
Tom
Butler
is the founder and creator of Strength Through Science (STS). As a
college basketball strength coach, Tom Butler revolutionized the
world of jump training, having many of his athletes increase over
10 inches on their vertical jumps.
the femur, and a crushed patella. My bones literally tore through
my skin. The doctors told me that I may never walk again. Through
the course of many complex reconstructive surgeries, Dr. Erick
Johnson, Chief of Trauma Reconstructive Surgery at the UCLA
Medical Center, bolted my legs back onto my body. My left kneecap
had to be amputated during my 6th surgery. I underwent a total of
7 surgeries to reconstruct my legs.
several different doctors, trainers, and coaches, and trained
hardcore. After my legs were bolted back on, recovery became an
issue of strength and range of motion. I became the most flexible
super heavy weight strength athlete in the whole world. My case
was presented at the World's Physician's Convention in December
1991 by Dr. Erick Johnson. Now I have maximum range of motion and
enough strength to lift a Volkswagen."