Born May 6,1957, Gary Valentine obtained his B.A. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut in 1979. He went on to receive his Masters Degree in Exercise Testing and Training at UCONN Storrs in 1983.
From 1984-2009, he had a 24 year career in Cardiac Rehabilitation, 10 years in Stamford Hospital, and 14 years as Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Heart Disease Reversal Programs at Griffin Hospital in Derby CT. He also taught Exercise Science Strength training course and Clinical Exercise Science courses at Sacred Heart University and Southern CT State University from 2002-2009. He since has been Lead Educator for United Stated Weightlifting teaching Level 1 and 2 courses and his own seminars and private teaching of weightlifting.
Weightlifting History
Gary Valentine first competed in Weightlifting in the Fall of 1979 in a small Club competition in Willimantic, Connecticut. From 1980 – 2013 he competed in 97 weightlifting competitions, including:
61 New England meets, 12 Regional Open meets, and the following National and International Competitions….
- 2 USAW Senior National Championships at age 41 and 43
- 5 National Masters Championships – 4 Gold, 1 Silver
- 6 American Masters Championships – All Gold
- 5 Pan American Masters Championships – All Gold
- 4 World Masters Championships. 2 Gold, 2 Bronze.
- 2 Masters World Records:
- 2002…Masters World Record Clean and Jerk, 153 kg, 45-49, 105 kg Class.
- 2013…Masters World Record Clean and Jerk, 146 kg, 55-59, 105+Class.
- New England WSO Masters Records in age groups 40-44 through 55-59
As Meet Director for USA Weightlifting, Gary Valentine ran 71 competitions From 2005-2020.
As Coach of Team CT Weightlifting Clubs, since 1996 Gary Valentine’s Teams competed very successfully at New England Competitions.
- 1996 – Present…Head Coach, Team Connecticut Weightlifting Club
- 2012 – 2021… Past President, Connecticut Local Weightlifting Committee. (Now W.S.O)
- 2005 – Present…USAW Sanctioned Competition Director
- 2009 – Present…Owner of Valentine Strength, L.L.C., teaching weightlifting through individual and small group instruction.
