Bio.

Figured it might be a good idea that I give my readers a little background on who I am.  Hi...my name is Zach Knippel and I am a senior Health and Fitness Major/Nutrition Minor at Texas Christian University(Go Frogs). I was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri and decided to bring my talents down to Texas for my college career, in addition to being a full time student I am also a personal trainer and weight room attendant at the TCU campus recreation center. Alright we will get to my current career here in a few, let's take a quick look at my past.  In high school I played football, was a track sprinter and was the captain of my rugby team, yes I thoroughly enjoy contact sports. I have dabbled in wrestling and rugby in college as well but due to my busy schedule with training it is often hard to find time for me to attend practices as well as matches(games.) 

 As far as my training career goes I have been blessed to have the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of incredible members of the fitness community from multiple different backgrounds here is just a short list of mentors/ coaches that I have had.
Andre Benkei- MMA strength and conditioning coach at Finney's Hit Squat Gym
Jason Rulo- Pinnacle Performance Training
Dutch Lowy- Black Box Strength and Conditioning
Candice Ruiz- CrossFit Iron Horse

In addition to these programs I have also had the opportunity of working with some of the trainers at TCU through the Kinesiology department, this program required me to take average joes through high intensity bodybuilding style workouts to improve strength based on the principles of a 4-1-2 tempo. This opportunity opened up a door for me and allowed me to work with the same trainers in preparing some of TCU's football players for entering into the NFL scouting combine.

I currently hold an NSCA-PT certification as well as a Level 1 CrossFit Certification, I plan on attaining my NSCA CSCS(certified strength and conditioning specialist) certification post graduation.

As far as competing goes I am very new to the fitness competition circuit, back in July I competed in my first ever CrossFit competition, this opened up my eyes and made me realize that while I am not the best at burpees and toes to bars, I am pretty good at lifting heavy weight, this is why I have just signed up for my first ever Strongman Competition this December, I feel as though I have really found my niche through training for this competition and I plan on continuing to compete in Strongman competitions once I have completed this one.

Well that is all I have got to say about me, I'd love to hear from ya'll check out my other pages and the home page, would love to hear some feedback!!

Fins Up!!

Height - 5'9
Weight-180lbs

Box Jump-54 inches
Deadlift-485lbs
Squat-405lbs
Bench-(TBA)
Push Press-240lbs

3rd Place -Hope for the Holidays 6