At Embark Performance Training, we strive to provide our clients with a safe haven of health, strength, and support. We use a holistic approach of scientific support and real world practices to curate the best individualized training programs and address our clients' goals in a responsible, healthy, and sustainable way.
Coach Barker graduated from Central College with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science and earned his Master's degree in Human Performance from Lindenwood University, where he also served as the Head Assistant Weightlifting Coach. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA and a certified National Coach for USAW. Professionally, he has worked at the collegiate level in all divisions as a strength and conditioning coach; he has also served as a professor of Kinesiology at both Simpson College and Central College. He has worked with clients with varying skill levels, from the general population to elite athletes at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic level. Embark Performance Training is based in Des Moines, IA.
Garage Gym Excellence
Equipment List
- Power Rack with Lat/Low Row Tower
- 1000+ lbs of Weight Plates
- 2 Sets of Adjustable Dumbbells (Powerblock 90, SMRTFIT 80)
- Bosu Ball
- Collection of Barbells:
- Titan Fitness Football Bar
- SSB
- 3" Axle
- 2" Axle
- Square Beam Bar
- EZ Curls Fat Bar
- Pendlay Bushing Bar
- Pendlay Bearing Weightlifting Bar
- Titan Fitness 15kg Bar
- Strongman Logs
- Resistance Bands
- Farmer/Frame Carry
- Yoke Walk
- 4x Soft Drop Pads
- 70kg Sandbag
- Slam Balls (10, 30, 60, 90lbs)
- Glute Ham Roller
- Battle Ropes and a Tire
- 45* Back Extension
Clients Endorse Coach Barker
What impressed me most was his ability to work around existing injuries while still driving meaningful progress in strength, power, and technical consistency. Every phase of the program felt purposeful, balancing performance gains with sustainability and training health. The result was measurable improvement not only in my numbers, but in my movement quality and confidence under the bar. Overall, he did an exceptional job creating a thoughtful, individualized program that supported real growth despite the limitations of remote coaching and an aging athlete.
Dr. Zach Fears
DSL SCCC RSCC*D CSCS USAW-1 FRCms CAFS 3DMAPS PN1-NC
Starting numbers in 2018:
Snatch (SN) - 115kg / Clean & Jerk (CJ) - 151kg
Total: 266kg
End Numbers in 2021:
SN - 141kg / CJ - 181kg
Total: 322kg
56kg add to my competition total and huge strength gains in 4 years!
Edward Ginnan
Multi-National Champion/Medalist: Team USA
I have worked with Matt for about 3 or 4 years now and let me tell you - 10 out of 10 recommend. This is the strongest and leanest I have been in my life. I highly recommend working with him!
Steven T.
Client since 2021
I attend Duo Sessions with my husband and Coach Barker does a great job of individualizing each of our workouts to our needs and abilities. We can always count on him to explain and demonstrate exercises well and make sure we are doing the movements correctly. I have been super happy with my improvements so far!
Whitney G.
Client since 2022
Coach Barker is awesome! I was initially hesitant to try weightlifting because it can feel like an intimidating and non-beginner-friendly activity, but he does a great job of combining his in-depth coaching knowledge with a very welcoming attitude and gym environment. I can personally say that I have greatly benefited lifting with Coach Barker over the past several years, not just because of the strength I've gained, but because he is a true joy to work with!
Lucas G.
Client since 2022