January 21st, 2008

Meet Our Trainers

So who are you likely to meet when you come in for the best workout of your life? Well, you’ll certain get to know some of our dozens of regular clients. There really is a feeling of community that you will not find in any big-box gym. There’s always a friend to help push you on to the end of the WOD (Workout of the Day).

But we also have several trainers who will greet you, help show you the warmup, and each step of the WOD. They’ll also be on-hand to watch and correct proper and safe form during your workout. If you’d like to get to know a little more, keep reading below.

Coach Andy Hendel

Andy Hendel

Owner & Head Trainer

email [Email address: coacha #AT# crossfitcharlotte.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Level 2 Crossfit Trainer
25 years of strength and condition experience
Level 1 track and field certified
20 years of football coaching experience in college and high school
1983 graduate of NC State University
Walk-on All-American for the Wolfpack
Played professionally for Jacksonville receiving All-Pro honors and special teams leading tackler/short yardage goal line specialist for the Miami Dolphins

I have been a part of many strength and conditioning programs over the years, but none have produced the results that Crossfit has in both myself and my clients. It is by far the best program for any goals you have established for yourself.

Dina Hendel

Owner & Trainer

email [Email address: dina #AT# crossfitcharlotte.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Level 1 Crossfit Certification
American Fitness Association Certified Aerobics Instructor 20 years
American Fitness Association Certified Personal Trainer 10 years
Western Kentucky University PE Activities Teacher 2000-2002
3rd Grade Teaching Assistant 2003-2007
Kids Yoga Instructor 2004-2006

I want everyone to experience what I experience after a Crossfit workout. It’s seems to be a mixture of complete exhaustion and inner peace. It’s a great feeling!

Amelia Neighbors

Trainer - “Official CrossFit Junkie”

email [Email address: amelia #AT# crossfitcharlotte.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Level 1 CrossFit Trainer
Marathon runner and triathlete
- Recently qualified for the Boston marathon and will run April 2008
- Favorite marathon: Disney World marathon
- Favorite triathlon: Deerfield Beach sprint triathlon in Deerfield Beach, FL
- Favorite local races: Charlotte’s Finest Duathlon and the Thunder Road Marathon
- Goal for 2008 is to complete my first Half Ironman
- Lifelong goal is to complete a full Ironman
Certified CrossFit Running and Endurance Sports trainer as of March 2008

CrossFit does not only change your body, it changes your life. CrossFit instills confidence and gives you a feeling of power which translates into increased performance; not only in your fitness goals, but in your personal life as well. CrossFit will fine tune your body, but also elevate your mind and spirit like no other experience can.

Bryan Ragon

Trainer & Web Admin/CrossFit Preacher

email [Email address: bryan #AT# crossfitcharlotte.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Level 1 CrossFit Trainer

Just to be different, I’m going to narrate my bio. :: grin ::

I wanted to post a bit about me to let you know that you don’t need a strong sports or fitness background to enjoy or even do well at CrossFit. Through high school, college, and beyond, I was never a big team sports player. Quite the opposite, I was always in the theatre, so I guess you can consider me an arts type. Before CrossFit, my workouts consisted of a 5k run and strength conditioning at a big-box gym, with very little results.

If I were to evaluate myself on CrossFit’s curve of sickness to wellness to fitness, most of my life, I’ve been well. Only since joining CrossFit Charlotte in March 07 would I consider myself “fit.” And while I’m not going to beat Greg Amundson at Fran anytime soon, I like to think I post respectable times.

CrossFit is all inclusive. The workouts can scale to any age, any fitness level. I have read a story in the CrossFit Journal of a 70 year old grandmother, and just yesterday I saw a video of a five-year-old achieving his first handstand push-up.

CrossFit, this S#%@ works!

David Bowman

Trainer & Firefighter

email [Email address: david #AT# crossfitcharlotte.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Level One Crossfit Trainer
Level One Crossfit Kettlebell Trainer
Charlotte Firefighter for ten years
Firefighter Combat Challenge Competitor (top ten in the world in 2008)
East Carolina Rugby 1987-1990
Charlottian, grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Myers Park

“..Let us run with Endurance the race that is set before us.” -Hebrews 12:1

Paul Burnam

email [Email address: paul #AT# crossfitcharlotte.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Level One CrossFit Trainer
Dutchboy all the way
Here to represent the big boned bodies of CrossFit Charlotte
Love competing with Coach Hendel and resident strongman Bill
9th year of teaching physical education
Coach Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field
Collegiate Football player
Can’t wait to get my first muscle up!!

Love to watch all the people come out and compete with themselves and have a good time. It is also great to work with young kids and see them have success when they put forth a good effort.