Saro Spenjian – Owner/Head Coach

Whether it was from being involved with sports or being a trainer/coach, I have been engaged in fitness for over 15 years. Once I found HIIT I started really challenging myself. Mixing many different modals of training, I figured out a way to mash programs together to result in overall fitness gains. Soon after I felt a necessity to have others around me see what that feels like, to show them that they can do things they never thought possible. Giving this reward to people gives them a chance to carry it into their everyday lives, making them stronger, faster, better, and more confident. People do not realize the potential they have inside them, I feel I can help people achieve in finding that, not only through fitness but themselves as a person. The amount of commitment and dedication our staff at IFA has is unparalleled, all we can say is come in and see for yourselves; our family loves to grow!

Certifications

• NPTI Personal & Nutrition Trainer/Coach
• NSCA Personal Trainer
• CrossFit Level 1 & 2 Trainer
• CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting
• CrossFit Gymnastics
• CrossFit Goal Setting
• CrossFit Movement and Mobility
• CrossFit Strongman
• USAW Level 1 Sport Performance Coach
• Powerlifting Coach
• BirthFit (Providing exercise guidance for women pre/post partum & pregnant)
• First AID/CPR

Naz Spenjian – Owner/Coach

Whether playing sports or lifting weights, exercise has been a major part of my life. My main focus now is overall physical performance for functionality. Functional fitness and high intensity interval training helped me achieve a personal best for a mile and a half run. I truly believe that functional fitness, combined with high intensity exercise leads to a more active and healthy lifestyles. Compared to other workout regimens, the dedication, motivation, strength, and versatility are unparalleled here at IFA. We take pride in the community and the family that we have become as well as catering to everyone’s specific needs and goals. One of the most rewarding feelings for me is when I can help someone and IFA has given me the opportunity to change people’s lives for the better in helping them reach their goals and beyond.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
• First Aid/CPR

Ines Spenjian—Coach/Marketing

I am a special education teacher who is always looking for new ways to learn and grow as an educator, coach and individual. I have a second masters degree in school/building leadership. That being said, I love teaching, encouraging, and motivating people to do things they never thought they could do. I was involved in sports and enjoyed the motivation and encouragement of being on a team and working to push others. A few years ago, I found myself getting bored at the gym before joining Iron Fist Athletics. I started at this facility in April of 2013 and immediately knew IFA programming was for me. Through Iron Fist Athletics, I found my love for Olympic Weightlifting. I spent 2 years and hours of training to meet my goals. I participated and placed 1st in several competitions and met my qualifying goal for the American Open in 2016. It was the best experience competing and representing Iron Fist Barbell Club. I love to share my passion and the benefits of IFA with others. Many people need that push and encouragement to try something new and stick to a healthy lifestyle. Remember this quote, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great” (Zig Ziglar). Everyday is a chance to get better and learn. It starts with stepping into IFA and challenging yourself. You CAN do it!!

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
• USAW Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
• BirthFit (Providing exercise guidance for women who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, and post-partum)
• First Aid/CPR

Lannie Wagner – Coach

I have always been an active person, whether I was playing sports, going to the gym or spending time outside. Ever since high school, I was your typical guy who would spend 2+ hour 5-6 days a week at the gym. Bodybuilding magazines were my regular reading material and I always had this extreme interest in trying to learning more about training. My training partner at the time had left the gym to go and start a more functional training regimen. Like so many people I sort of blew it off and mocked it and continued to do my regular routine. A year or so later Coach Saro had started with a similar style of training and he gave me a workout to try. Again I sort of blew it off and thought it looked easy but gave it a try. At the time I thought I was in the best shape of my life, I quickly learned that was not so. From that point on I started doing functional training workouts 2 days a week and within a month or so had left my regular routine behind. I am thankful I did, I quickly felt better than I ever had. Having always had the desire to learn more about proper form, technique, and programming, I began to become interested in the coaching side things. Coaching has turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Whether it is teaching a beginner the very basics or helping a more advanced athlete get to a PR both have a profound impact on me as a coach, athlete and a person.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
• CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting
• CrossFit Strongman
• CrossFit Movement and Mobility
• USAW Level 1 Sports Performance Coach
• USAW Level 2 Advanced Performance Coach
• Powerlifting Coach
• First Aid/CPR

Carmine Squeglia – Coach

Coach Carmine started at IFA in October of 2020. Over the course of his first year here at IFA, he learned how to effectively overcome various injuries through the various health benefits of Cross training. Strengthening support muscles and focusing on technique instead of ego driven weights, Carmine made significant progress and began coaching here in 2021. Carmine has been an educator at both Ramapo and Suffern HS since 2003. He has coached various athletic teams and has earned numerous awards recognizing the accomplishments and tenacity of his teams. Coach Carmine has coached the following teams:
Varsity/ JV Girls Softball- Ramapo HS, Varsity/ JV Football- Suffern HS, Modified/JV/Varsity Girls Lacrosse- Suffern HS, Varsity/ JV Wrestling- Suffern HS, Various Youth Level Sports, Currently, Head coach Tappen Zee Wrestling. Coach Carmine recognizes the importance of functional strength training in his athletes and patterns specific movements to maximize his athletes success.
His message is clear…Find it!