Dr. Michael Hartle is a full-time chiropractic physician. He is also certified as a nutritionist (DACBN), chiropractic sports physician (CCSP), and strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). He also holds the Master Instructor certification from StrongFirst (StrongFirst.com). He is the co-developer of the StrongFirst SFL barbell certification. Dr. Michael travels around the United States and the world teaching barbell and kettlebell certification courses. He is also currently working toward his PhD in exercise science at Concordia University Chicago. He has been practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the last 27 years.
A former nationally ranked powerlifter who has won several national titles with USA Powerlifting (USAPL), Dr. Michael was the vice president for two years in addition to being the drug testing chairperson for five years. He was also the chairperson of their Sports Medicine Committee for over 20 years, a committee he created in 1994. Starting in 1998, he was the head coach of the USAPL world bench press team for eight years, coaching the U.S. team to the 2004 International Powerlifting Federation World Championship team title. His best competition lifts are 705-pound squat, 535-pound bench press, and 635-pound deadlift, with a best combined total of the three lifts of 1,840 pounds in the former 275-pound weight class. For the next 10 years, he was playing semi-pro football as a defensive tackle—and loving it! His football team, the Adams County Patriots, won the National AA Semi-Pro Football Championship in 2008 and were undefeated for two years straight.
He treats patients from babies to senior citizens, and he trains and advises athletes of all levels, from youth athletes to NCAA student-athletes and professional athletes. He coached junior high football and track and field, volunteering his time, for 16 years. He has three sons and three grandchildren who keep him busy with their personal endeavors, including crawling, hockey, football, lacrosse, track and field, and, of course, academics.
