Powerlifting Coach

Deividas “Dav” Barisas

@dav_abspowerlifting
Senior ABS Coach | International Team Head Coach | Movement Specialist

Deividas Barisas—better known as Dav—has been embedded in the strength game longer than most lifters have been squatting. With over a decade of coaching experience and roots stretching back to 2012 as a personal trainer at Ben Dunne Gyms, Dav brings a rare combination of hands-on skill, academic grounding, and quiet leadership to the ABS roster.

Introduced to ABS in 2013 by Bryan Kavanagh, his college tutor at the time, Dav’s entry into the sport was no coincidence. With a background in strength & conditioning from the age of 15, his transition to powerlifting was seamless—and inevitable. He joined ABS as a lifter and, by 2015, had already stepped into a coaching role, quickly becoming a mainstay in the culture that forged some of Ireland’s strongest.

Dav isn’t just a coach—he’s a contributor to the ABS legacy. He’s helped lifters from Ireland to Finland make international podiums, led teams across Europe, and competed himself at the 2019 European Championships in Lithuania. Whether acting as Head Coach at the World University Cup or guiding masters athletes to European medals, his presence commands trust and results.

His academic background in Health & Performance Science (BSc, Honours) and certifications in biomechanics, group instruction, and athlete development bring technical clarity to every lifter he works with. “I don’t just write programs—I teach people how to move better, lift smarter, and build something that lasts,” he says.

Dav’s style is steady, detail-driven, and relentlessly focused on the long game. His athletes benefit from biomechanics-first programming, deep feedback, and mentorship that prioritizes honesty over hype. “Sometimes the most meaningful moments aren’t on the podium,” he explains. “They’re when someone finally nails a lift they’ve been chasing for months. Being part of that moment—that’s what coaching is about.”