www.albanycrossfit.com > Our Trainers

Jason Ackerman

Owner - Albany CrossFit
CrossFit Level II Certified
CrossFit KettleBell Certified
CrossFit Barbell Certified
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
CrossFit Rowing Certified
CrossFit Science of Exercise Certified
CrossFit Running/Endurance Certified
Performance Menu Olympic Lifting

I love coaching...I wake up every morning excited to come in to Albany CrossFit.

I have no sales pitch...I just give everyone my 100% and hope that they will see the beauty of what we offer.

I practice what I preach...I won't yell at you to do something that I wouldn't do, or most likely have already done many times.

I hate running...I will do almost anything to skip running in a WOD, but I am trying not to do that anymore.

All of my vacations these days seem to be CrossFit trainings.

I just turned 30 but I am in the best shape of my life.

After years of bodybuilding I now realize it serves absolutely no purpose other than looking good, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but CrossFit will not only help you look better than bodybuilders, but it is functional too.

I am in the "zone" and love it. I think everyone should give it a try and I am more than happy to teach you and get you started on it.

Life is good...

"...the ads blind us,commercials deafen us,
rich foods clog us.
we strive so hard
for the good life.
sensible folks
take care of their bodies,
just this is plenty."
--Jason Ackerman

Jason@albanycrossfit.com
518-221-8531

Nicole Weden

Name: Niki Weden
Height: 5'3'
Weight: 105 lbs
Occupation: Claims Representative
Began Crossfit: 09/07
Workout: About 5x per week
Diet: Modified IF Paleo-Zone (9 blocks per day + 2x fat)
Fav cheat meal: Pizza and ice cream

Fran: 5:58
Mary: 9 rounds
CFT: 435
Max OHS: BW x 1
5K: 23:55

Goal: Complete Advanced Phase
Fav pastime: Snuggling w/ my Schnoopie

Seminars:
Concept 2 Rowing: 7/08
Performance Menu O-Lift: 8/08

Certifications:
CrossFit Level I: 6/08 & 10/08
CrossFit Kettlebell: 8/08
CrossFit Barbell: 9/08
CrossFit Olympic Lifting: 10/08
CrossFit Gymnastics: 10/08 & 12/08

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at: Niki@albanycrossfit.com

Brett Andrus

"The 5:45am Guy"

CrossFit Level II Certified Trainer
CrossFit Olympic Lifting

“Specialization is for insects.” That about sums him up. Brett has degrees in Fine Arts, History, and Biotechnology. He has trained in the martial arts since the age of 8, earning multiple black belts in karate and judo. He has instructed martial arts since 1994 and, at around that same time, began running kickboxing and core-strength classes. He has lived in Japan for over 6 years, one as a college student and more than 5 as an English teacher. He has also lived in Hawaii and worked on the dolphin or whale watching, snorkel, and dinner cruise boats as a translator. Currently, he works full time as a chemist developing processes for large scale drug production, DJs on weekends and coaches motorcycle riders in the summer.

He has a love for movement, exercise, and coaching. “I love seeing people learn and grow. I loved teaching. I love coaching even more.”

He also loves CrossFit. “I find CrossFit similar to martial arts in the need for virtuosity of movements first. I find the workouts safer, more effective, and more efficient than any training I’ve ever seen. My only regret with CrossFit is that I didn’t find it sooner.”

Brett is “not a morning person”. But, CrossFit is one of the few things he says is worth getting up for at 5am every day (He runs the 5:45am classes).

Viv Guicheney

Viv has been an Albany Crossfit member since November 2007. As a member she has experienced a transformation not just physically but mentally as well.

Viv is totally psyched to attend her Level One training in October. She looks forward to sharing all of her Crossfit knowledge and experiences with everyone.

Viv thrives to be an inspiration to everyone at Albany CrossFit.

Jess Lasky

Age: 28
Occupation: HR Staffing Specialist, GE
Began Crossfit: 10/07
Diet: Zone
Crossfit Level 1: 10/08

Workout Goals: To get a muscle up; sub 25 Min. 5K; 250lb DL and to get everyone I know into CF and on the zone....

My exercise background before Crossfit was simple, running on the treadmill and doing a few "girly" leg machines at the gym. I considered myself to be in pretty decent shape. After attending one of ACF's first classes I learned otherwise, after almost passing out in my first class I became hooked on CF and wanted more. One month later I took nearly 3 minutes off my 5K time and was convinced CF would change my life and it has! I am thankful to be apart of such a great community and had the opportunity to get Level 1 certified so I can help others experience what I have.

Quote: "What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"
Vincent van Gogh

Matt Franco

Crossfit Level 1
Ht: 5'7
Wt: 178
Times per Week I workout: 5 or 6 (I'm nuts)

Completed Crossfit Level 1 in August of 2008 and have been crossfitting full time since. Coming from a bodybuilding a.k.a. GLOBO-GYM world for the better part of 12 years I have found the overall method and theory and of course the passion of Crossfit to be something I truly love. I am done doing bicep curls and lateral raises and moving on to such things as the beloved Burpees and of course hundreds of pull ups!!

I have engulfed myself into crossfit and learning all i can from the certification to watching and reading anything I can find online. I am looking forward to coaching the Albany Crossfitters aka bad asses and
look to also learn from them as well. Technique is crucial and we all know that but when we combine our own motivation to the proper techniques our intensity will grow together as we become the most fit each of us can
become.

My Goals:
Level 2 Certification
Qualify for the 2009 Crossfit Games
Sub 2:30 FRAN
Coach effectively all that I can
Learn from anyone willing to share
Finish the "Animal" level

Marley

Name: Marley
Height: 3'
Weight: 60 lbs
Began Crossfit: 05/08
Workout: About 7x per week
Diet: 3 cups of Nutro two times per day and as many treats as I can get my paws on.
Fav cheat meal: Bully sticks, anything liver flavored

Goal: Chase balls faster
Fav pastime: chasing balls, snuggling with the pugs, rolling in mud

Seminars:
Concept 2 Rowing: 7/08
Performance Menu O-Lift: 8/08

Certifications:
CrossFit Level I: 6/08
CrossFit Kettlebell: 8/08
CrossFit Barbell: 9/08
CrossFit Olympic Lifting: 10/08
CrossFit Gymnastics: 10/08 & 12/08
CrossFit Running/Endurance: 3/09

Ever since adopting Marley she has become a huge part in all of our lives. She comes by to support us in times of struggle, she is there to cheer us up when we are down, and she shows us to never feel sorry for ourselves and something as simple as a tennis ball can make one happy for life.

Marley was adopted from Homeward Bound Dog Rescue

Joy Smolinski

Joy Marie Smolinski (Fireball)
Trainer - Albany CrossFit

http://beyondthewhiteboard.com/members/2121
http://www.albanycrossfit.com/morningmayhem/
http://www.facebook.com/joy.smolinski
http://www.littlefirebox.blogspot.com

Certifications:
CrossFit Level I
CrossFit Barbell
CrossFit Gymnastics

Seminars Attended:
POSE Running Seminar
Chasing Performance: Movement, Mobility & Maintenance - Kelly Starrett

Background:
Before joining Albany CrossFit in March 2008 I jogged for 20+ years, participated in several 5K runs a year, finished three 10K races and one 1/2 marathon. 10+ years of aerobics and two years of kick boxing was my exercise program.

Crossfit is now my exercise program!

My favorite WOD is anything that involves thrusters or lifting. I like box jumps, climbing the rope or getting on the rings for “skin the cat”. Basically I just like hanging, on anything, bars, ropes and rings. My hardest WOD involves rowing. My goals are to lift heavy weights and get a better string of consecutive pull-ups.

I like knowing everything I can about CrossFit and I enjoy sharing that with others. I find a great deal of pleasure teaching, training, and helping people get healthier, fitter and happier in their exercise program. I get a thrill when someone gets a PR or gets better at a certain skill during my classes.

Diet:
I have been on the Zone diet since August of 2008 and love it. I measure and weigh out approximately 12-14 blocks per day. I not only lost 18lbs my first year on the Zone but I have more strength and energy then I have ever had.

Outside CrossFit:
Outside of CrossFit, my favorite past time is reading and research. I not only have a passion for CrossFit but I have a passion for God. Christian music and Christian books lay side by side by my CrossFit books. Weekends are based around family, chores and a never ending job of renovating an old house. The coolest thing besides shopping and the movies with my daughter has to be riding my Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster. That is a feeling beyond words.

Eugene "Mean Gene" Kyea

Name: Eugene Kyea
Occupation: Water Treatment Plant Operator
Began Crossfit: 07/08
Workout: 3x-6x per week
Diet: "Clean" Zone 19 blocks 2x fat, little processed food, organic
when possible
Fav cheat meal: chicken wings and beer

Fitness Goals: muscle up, head to the floor HSPU w/o kipping, full
skin the cat, pinebush triathalon, mohawk hudson marathon, 1200 CFT
Life Goals: Improve and learn as a crossfit coach. Spend/make as
much time for friends and family as possible. Never stop wanting to
learn. Crossfit as much as possible.

For much of my life I have been a very non-athletic person. About 4
years ago I decided that it was time for a change, and walked into a
gym. Having virtually no expierence or knowledge about fitness or
health I had a long road ahead of me. Although I began to discover
that I did in fact enjoy working out and even rediscovered a love of
martial arts from my childhood nothing really changed for me. Then
Crossfit.

Now I literally can't wait to get to the gym nearly every single day
whether to coach or train. Every single day is a totally new
adventure with absoultely new possibilities to be taken advantage of,
and I don't want to miss any of it.

"Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt." ~ WS

Any questions or concerns email me at EugeneKyea@gmail.com

Pukie

Our least favorite trainer!