Louie Simmons was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His early life was marked by a tough environment, which likely contributed to his later drive and determination in the world of strength training. Details of his specific childhood are relatively scarce, but it's clear that this upbringing instilled a sense of resilience that would define his approach to life and lifting.

During this period, Simmons began his competitive powerlifting career. While specific records from this early stage are less readily available, it was a critical time of experimentation. He began exploring different training methodologies and observing what worked best for him. This laid the foundation for the innovative training principles he would later formalize.