Athlon Elite takes immense pride in the education and experience of its personal trainers. You won't find a more knowledgeable, passionate, driven, ELITE team of fitness professionals on the central coast. In fact we're so confident in our abilities to get you the results you desire that we GUARANTEE it… or your money back!!
See the individual biographies of our trainers below…
Ryan Joiner, MS, CSCS
Qualifications:
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 2001
Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Biomechanics and Motor BehaviorCalifornia State University, Fresno 1996
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise PhysiologyCuesta College, San Luis Obispo 1993
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science DegreesAmerican College of Sports Medicine
Certified Health/Fitness SpecialistNational Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistUSA Weightlifting
Certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach
Personal Profile:
Ryan is the founder of Athlon Health & Fitness and now Athlon Elite. He draws from 19 years of experience in health and fitness, orthopedic rehabilitation, sports performance, and the martial arts. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a Master’s degree in Movement Behavior. He maintains three certifications from the most prestigious organizations in the field, the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and USA Weightlifting.Over and above his academic training, Ryan has excelled in sports and the martial arts. A black belt in Shotokan Karate, Ryan competed as a kickboxer achieving a ranking of #3 in North America by the International Kickboxing Federation. He continues to train in the martial arts and pursue outdoor sports. A popular instructor and trainer, Ryan’s goal and passion is to be a true leader and innovator in the health and fitness industry!
George Beckham, CPT
Qualifications:
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – Pending
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Human Movement & SportInternational Sports Sciences Association
Certified Personal Trainer
Personal Profile:
George came to Athlon Elite from a personal training position at the Cal Poly Rec Center. He has a background in topics ranging from sports performance to general health and weight loss. George is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal Poly. He his certified as a Personal Trainer by the International Sport Sciences Association.George has also excelled as an athlete. He was a successful high school wrestler, and currently competes in Powerlifting, with best lifts of an 804 lb. squat, 617 lb. bench press, and 611 lb. deadlift. Known for his ability to inspire hard work and create unique programs that lead his clients to success, George is a very sought-after and well-liked trainer.
Lindsay Bartsch, CPT
Qualifications:
Cuesta College
Associates of Science in KinesiologyAmerican College of Sports Medicine
Certified Personal TrainerLes Mills Certifications
Body Pump Certified
Body Combat CertifiedPersonal Profile:
Lindsay grew up here on the Central Coast and is currently attending Cuesta College pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. She will soon be transferring to Cal Poly to continue her training. She has worked in the fitness industry for over 3 ½ years; working as personal trainer, physical therapy aide, and a group fitness instructor. Lindsay’s goal is to go on to get her masters and become either a Pediatric Physical Therapist or a Sports Therapist. She is certified as a personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, which is considered to be the “Gold Standard” in today’s Fitness Industry.Lindsay is a fitness enthusiast who loves staying active herself. She always says, “Even if you don’t think you like working out at first, keep on doing it, you’ll become an addict once you start feeling and seeing the results!” She loves her family, racquetball, playing with children, camping, photography, Bodycombat, blackberry pie, basketball, Body Pump, singing off pitch, a good book, the sunshine, smiling faces, and watching football.
Amy Kistler, CPT
Qualifications:
California State University, Chico 2007
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise ScienceAmerican Council on Exercise
Certified Personal TrainerEFI Sports Medicine
Certified Group Exercise LeaderPersonal Profile:
Amy grew up in Jamestown, California before moving to Chico, California to complete her degree in Kinesiology. She has been involved in sports most of her life. As a young girl she competed in gymnastics and dance, and in high school she added volleyball and soccer to her list of accomplished sports. In college she was active on the Chico Sate Dance Team, Expression, performing many shows at art events, sports games and festivals, and she danced/performed at a higher level for the Fusion Dance Company doing shows all over California, including regular performances at NBA games.She has been professionally involved with personal training and group exercise instruction for over four years now and has truly found it to be her passion. Her certifications through the American Council on Exercise and EFI Sports Medicine are just the beginning of a long and successful future in exercise and health instruction. She focuses on creating fun and unique exercise systems and believes that the systems at Athlon Elite are the best in the industry.
Eric Schmitt, CPT
Qualifications:
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – pending
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science
Cuesta College
Associates of Art and Science in KinesiologyExercise Science Alliance
Certified Group Exercise LeaderPersonal Profile:
Eric attended CSU Fullerton prior to attending Cuesta College. He will be transferring to Cal Poly in the summer of 2009 into the Kinesiology department. He is a Kinesiology major and pursuing a concentration in exercise science. He hopes to obtain his masters in pursuit of a position as a D1 collegiate or professional strength coach.Eric has a passion for all sports, working out (yes he practices what he preaches), and doing basically anything outdoors (fishing, hiking, sunsets on the beach etc.). He is willing, eager, and highly qualified to help you meet each and every one of your fitness goals!
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Ashley Fittz, CSCS, HFS, BLS
Qualifications:
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – In progress
Masters of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Science and Health PromotionCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 2004
Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Clinical and Worksite Health PromotionAmerican College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS)National Strength and Conditionins Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)Personal Profile:
Ashley was born and raised in Santa Maria Valley and is currently employed by Athlon Elite and San Luis Sports Therapy. He also works as a consultant for outside companies and volunteers on the Active Aging Task Force and serves on the Board of Directors for the Senior Nutrition Program of San Luis Obispo County. Among his many accomplishments are recieving a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo and working as an instructor where he taught classes to both children and adults.His diverse fitness experience includes working at an exclusive retirement community in Montecito, California, Casa Dorinda, where he was responsible for assisting with health, fitness, and safety programming for resident and employees. Ashley is also certified and an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, where he continues to further his knowledge and skills in the areas of excercise science and health promotion. He is constantly searching for innovative and cutting edge ways to deliver results.
John Cortese CPT, YFS
Qualifications:
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – Pending
Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and Human PerformanceSanta Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, 2007
Associates of Arts Degree
Football and Track and Field 2005-2007International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA)
Level 1 Youth Fitness SpecialistNational Strength and Conditioning Association – Pending
Certified Personal TrainingPersonal Profile:
John served as the director of Football, Speed, Strength, and Conditioning, and wide recievers coach at Vintage High School in Napa, Ca from June 2007 through January 2008. He started as an intern at Athlon Elite in August 2008 and quickly progressed to trainer in January 2009. John brings knowledge in a wide variety of areas and topics and prides himself in the ability to think outside the box, apply knowledge, and be able to adapt to real-world training for athletes and fitness clients. John aspires to open his own Athlon Elite some day that caters to athletes' needs such as speed and strength, as well as weekend warriors and active individuals who still want to train HARD!
As a former high school and college football and track athlete, his ability to know what it feels like to walk the talk enables him to provide training programs to athletes and clients that get real results. His specialty is working with athletes in sports in high demand of speed, power, strength, and agility. Constantly learning and adapting, John is ready to provide his clients with excellent service and get them amazing results – PERIOD!
