Dr. William Kraemer | Legacy and Innovation in Strength and Conditioning

Dr. William Kraemer | Legacy and Innovation in Strength and Conditioning

From NSCA’s Coaching Podcast by NSCA

March 27, 2026

About this episode

Dr. William Kraemer discusses the evolution of strength and conditioning and shares insights on coaching principles and athlete development.

When William Kraemer first entered the field, strength and conditioning was, as he puts it, “primordial.” There were few standards, limited research, and little shared understanding. As one of the most influential figures in strength and conditioning, Kraemer recounts how the profession grew from humble beginnings into a science-driven discipline. That history still holds weight for coaches today. He explains why coaches are often drawn to new ideas, but progress comes from building on proven principles. Workout logs are central to his approach, and he notes how analyzing training over time can improve decision-making. He also emphasizes alignment across the performance ladder to support innovation and athlete development. As the Senior Advisor for Sports Performance and Sports Science at The Ohio State University, he shares his perspective on where the field is headed next. Apply his wisdom to stay grounded in solid principles, evaluate training with greater precision, and better serve your athletes. Reach out to Dr. Kraemer by email: Kraemer.44@osu.edu | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Show Notes “I think that search for…

People in this episode

Host: Eric McMahon

Guest: Dr. William Kraemer

Topics covered

  • strength and conditioning
  • athlete development
  • performance science
  • coaching principles
  • training analysis

Keywords

  • strength and conditioning
  • coaching
  • athlete development
  • training analysis
  • performance science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Ohio State University

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