Who We Are
MISSION STATEMENT
Strength Training DC provides the safest and most efficient form of exercise. We are a small team of invested trainers dedicated to high intensity and super slow training. We choose to create programs that are intense, brief, and infrequent, allowing you to enjoy all of the benefits that come from proper strength training without any unnecessary investments of time and energy. We are committed to fostering an intimate setting based on our key values:
Service
We go the extra mile to ensure you will have the best exercise experience you have ever had. We partner with you to create a program that meets your specific needs. We are genuinely interested in helping you achieve your optimal physical well being which in turn enables you to fulfill your potential in all areas of life.
Professionalism
We provide a clinically controlled environment. This means it is completely private, and the facility is reserved solely for you and your trainer at the time of your appointment. In addition to your true one-on-one experience, our facility is free from distractions including telephones, music and TVs. The exercise room is temperature controlled, allowing for optimal results. All trainers are dressed in accordance with appearance guidelines, further minimizing distractions during your sessions. The facility is immaculately clean, and thoroughly sanitized after each client.
Fostering Understanding
Strength Training DC keeps abreast of trusted medical and scientific literature relevant to our work which we share with our clients. Providing education of exercise physiology in conjunction with technique is paramount to maximizing client success in the program. All trainers hold current nationally accredited certifications at all times.
Casandra Strafer is the leading force behind Strength Training DC. She has been using the protocol taught here since 2007. Originally in love with the efficiency of the protocol, Casandra came to fully experience the life changing benefits of proper strength training in 2012. Casandra was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which took the life of her partner and the original owner, Dmitri Medvedev. Casandra was left with serious but not life threatening injuries, including a whole host of orthopedic issues. Casandra set out to embark on a journey of healing and resilience through an outstanding support system and most importantly the Strength Training DC protocol. She has never once seen a physical therapist, and instead used proper strength training to rehabilitate her body. Through this intimate experience she is able to bring deep awareness and passion to what she does. Fully committed to helping others transform themselves through proper exercise-she is a walking example of the protocol used at Strength Training DC. Casandra has been training clients since 2013 and has overseen close to 6,000 sessions. She is also nationally certified through the American Council on Exercise and the American Red Cross.
Amelia Ziegler is the newest addition to the Strength Training DC family. 10 years ago, Amelia just happened to take advantage of a promotional fitness package at a local gym. She immediately became committed to working out under the supervision of a personal trainer. Before this, her threshold for activity was working on her feet and walking everywhere. She had not physically challenged herself for a very long time. Inspired by her trainers, and excited by her strength gains, she desired not only more demanding training, but also a deeper knowledge and understanding of the health and fitness field. Her trainers encouraged and mentored her as she pursued and achieved her personal training certification. Personal training did more than provide Amelia with the level of exercise stimulus her body so greatly needed to be physically fit. The experience re-defined her appreciation of overall health and well-being. She transitioned from a passionate trainee to a certified professional because she is devoted to helping others enjoy the many life altering benefits strength training has to offer. Here, at Strength Training DC, Amelia has had the opportunity to practice and promote the Super Slow protocol, which is the safest and most effective training method. At a time when her own joint issues were calling for attention, the Super Slow protocol has completely changed her style of training. She says what she loves most about the protocol is that she can still experience the exercise intensity her body craves, while simultaneously respecting the recovery her body needs. Amelia holds training certifications in both NASM and ACE organizations.
Amelia Ziegler is the newest addition to the Strength Training DC family. 10 years ago, Amelia just happened to take advantage of a promotional fitness package at a local gym. She immediately became committed to working out under the supervision of a personal trainer. Before this, her threshold for activity was working on her feet and walking everywhere. She had not physically challenged herself for a very long time. Inspired by her trainers, and excited by her strength gains, she desired not only more demanding training, but also a deeper knowledge and understanding of the health and fitness field. Her trainers encouraged and mentored her as she pursued and achieved her personal training certification. Personal training did more than provide Amelia with the level of exercise stimulus her body so greatly needed to be physically fit. The experience re-defined her appreciation of overall health and well-being. She transitioned from a passionate trainee to a certified professional because she is devoted to helping others enjoy the many life altering benefits strength training has to offer. Here, at Strength Training DC, Amelia has had the opportunity to practice and promote the Super Slow protocol, which is the safest and most effective training method. At a time when her own joint issues were calling for attention, the Super Slow protocol has completely changed her style of training. She says what she loves most about the protocol is that she can still experience the exercise intensity her body craves, while simultaneously respecting the recovery her body needs. Amelia holds training certifications in both NASM and ACE organizations.
Vanessa Olson is originally from the Pacific Northwest and grew up a gymnast until sustaining a back injury in high school. Through her injury, she began a journey of self-healing through body building and yoga. After experiencing the positive impact of resistance training on her body, she committed herself to serving others with the same tools. Vanessa also pursued her formal education in Kinesiology and has a Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. Vanessa started at Strength Training DC as an apprentice and fulfilled her program’s internship hours with us. After graduation, Vanessa decided her education and values aligned with STDC and joined the team permanently. She also is a coach for youth gymnastics.