A Humanistic Approach to Strength

Jones describes his programming philosophy as “humanistic over mechanistic.”

In a field often dominated by data points and rigid systems, his approach centers on the individual athlete rather than the model.

At its core, his philosophy is simple: master the basics. Strength underpins all other physical qualities, and building it doesn’t require complexity—it requires intent, consistency, and intelligent variation.

Rather than subscribing to a single methodology, Jones draws from a wide range of disciplines:

• Olympic lifting
• Powerlifting
• Strongman
• Bodybuilding
• Calisthenics

Programming with Purpose

Jones’ programming reflects his balanced approach.

Off-Season

In the off-season, he frequently employs wave loading within structured four-week cycles designed to build size and strength. These cycles gradually increase intensity while allowing athletes to push toward top-end outputs.

In-Season

During the in-season, the focus shifts. Volume and variation are reduced, while intensity is maintained through additional top-end sets. The goal becomes preservation—keeping athletes strong without overloading them during competition.

Power Development

His power development work follows an undulating periodization model, varying intensity and volume week to week. This allows athletes to train across multiple force-velocity qualities without stagnation.

The Art of Individualization

Jones calls individualization the “holy grail” of strength and conditioning—and it’s a principle he applies daily.

“How are you feeling?”

Every session begins with that simple question. From there, the program becomes fluid. With a deep toolbox of exercise variations—over 40 squat options alone—Jones can adapt movements to suit the athlete’s readiness, limitations, or injuries on any given day.

This flexibility is what separates theory from practice. While many programs look effective on paper, Jones emphasizes that real coaching happens in real time, with constant adjustment.

“You are a teacher every day you are in the gym,” he says. And like any good teacher, he listens as much as he instructs.

Learning from Athletes—and Beyond

Despite his extensive experience, Jones doesn’t position himself as the sole authority in the room. In fact, he credits his athletes as his greatest teachers.

“They teach me and keep inspiring me. We grow together.”

That openness extends beyond his teams. Jones has long looked outside his primary sports for new ideas, particularly to power-based disciplines like bobsleigh and throwing events. He also draws influence from figures like Louie Simmons and the Westside Barbell system, constantly evaluating how those principles can be adapted for his athletes.

At the same time, he acknowledges the limits of formal education in a rapidly expanding field. With an overwhelming volume of research available, he relies on a combination of self-study, professional conversation, and hands-on experimentation—often testing methods on himself before applying them to others.

Rethinking Specificity

One area where Jones diverges from conventional thinking is specificity.

In an era where “sport-specific training” is often overemphasized, he takes a more pragmatic stance: the weight room is for building general physical qualities, not replicating the sport itself.

“I do not think there are any specific exercises for rugby in the gym.”

Instead of trying to mimic on-field movements under load, Jones focuses on developing strength, power, and robustness. The transfer, he believes, comes less from movement replication and more from increased physical capacity—and confidence.

Tools of the Trade

While Jones values simplicity, he also embraces variety where it matters. The Olympic barbell remains his most versatile tool, but he has increasingly incorporated specialty bars—trap bars, safety squat bars, cambered bars, and football bars—to expand exercise options and accommodate individual needs.

Among his favorite exercises are the power snatch, push press, close-grip bench press, Pendlay row, and his “good morning combo”—a reflection of his bias toward movements that develop total-body strength and power.

Advice for the Next Generation

For young coaches entering the field, Jones offers advice grounded in experience rather than theory:

• Look beyond your sport
• Listen—truly listen—to your athletes
• Never stop learning
• Train yourself

“You do not have to be a world champion, but if your players see you train with excellent technique, they will be motivated as well.”

He also emphasizes patience and humility. Building a career—and a philosophy—takes time. Coaches should be willing to adapt their beliefs when confronted with better ideas, while still standing for something meaningful.

In a profession often driven by urgency, Jones advocates for a longer view: be consistent, be curious, and focus on being better each day.

Final Takeaway

Ashley Jones’ career is a testament to the power of fundamentals done well. While others chase complexity, he continues to refine simplicity—proving that, in strength and conditioning, the basics, applied with intent and individualized care, remain the most powerful tools we have.