Brooklyn, Ny's best fitness coaches
our coaches
Meet the coaches who bring passion, experience, and expert guidance to every training session at Brooklyn Training Hall.
coach blanco
It took Blanco 2 years to lose 120 pounds—and though the outcome felt great, it was the process that changed his life. Since then, Blanco devoted himself to developing strong humans of all ages, shapes and sizes, including top performing Olympic Weightlifters on National and World level platforms.
As Head Coach of Brooklyn Barbell Club for the past 7 years, Blanco built one of the highest performing, most sought after USA Weightlifting destinations. For Blanco, weightlifting is not just a competitive sport—it provides a foundational practice for anyone who wants to be stronger in body and mind.


coach julia
Julia is a lifelong athlete with over 15 years of coaching experience. A childhood gymnast and dancer turner OCR racer turned bodybuilder, turned nationally competitive weightlifter, she's trained for it all and bounced back from countless injuries, setbacks, and disappointments.
She's worked with athletes of all ages (from youth to masters) to help them reach peak performance through Olympic weightlifting and sport-specific strength & conditioning. She takes a holistic approach to athlete development and prioritizes education and mental skills development so that every athlete moves easier, gets stronger, feels better and becomes more confident.
coach rob
Coach Rob grew up punk. He’s always been an outsider on purpose—a youth athlete that never went “jock.” Making people strong was another way to push back on a culture that dishes out bullshit about food and bodies and strength. Training is a way to be different, and make a difference.
A forever-student of human movement, Rob honed his holistic view of strength over 10 years training in multiple disciplines. For Rob, training at the gym is training for how we live our life. He’s all about the path to mastery as coach, student, partner, friend and father. All with just the right amount of attitude.


coach joe c.
Joe has been involved with competitive powerlifting for the past 12 years, as an athlete and a coach. He’s spent the past 7 years dialing in his skills and processes as a coach. With a wide array of experience across all skill levels. From complete beginner to elite level lifters he is comfortable and confident across the spectrum. His approach is data driven and science backed but not at the cost of empathy or removing humanity from training and competing.
Some accolades over the years include: 52 USAPL New York State records, both past and current, 2023 USAPL Raw Nationals Junior 60kg silver medalist, and 2024 USAPL Raw Nationals M1 75kg bronze medalist, as well as a host of medals on the state and regional level. He is currently studying for his NSCA CSCS exam and is determined to pass and receive his certification. Aside from powerlifting and training Joe has a strong passion for music and DJing, you can find him on his monthly show on NTS Radio or playing records around the city.
coach zech
Zechariah is a dedicated personal trainer based in New York City with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and strength training. At Brooklyn Training Hall, he trains clients in bodybuilding, powerlifting, and general strength and conditioning, using a holistic approach to help individuals of all levels achieve their goals. He also teaches strength and conditioning classes, focusing on building strength, improving mobility, and enhancing overall athleticism, blending his expertise in combat sports with traditional fitness techniques.
Outside the gym, Zechariah is a passionate musician and a member of the band Angel Dust, channeling his creativity to inspire others. Driven by the belief that everyone should have access to the benefits of physical training, he strives to make fitness accessible, enjoyable, and transformative through personalized programs and community involvement.


coach joe s.
Joe Schwalb is a weightlifter, personal trainer, and strength coach based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Joe fell in love with the Barbell Back Squat 10 years ago and never looked back.
He has been competing in Weightlifting for Brooklyn Training Hall for two years. Since 2019, Joe has trained clients of all sorts— from youth athletes to octogenarians training to keep up with their grandkids. He believes everyone ought to discover that strength training is fun.
coach dai
Born and raised in Argentina, I'm a proud cat mom and a dedicated personal trainer. My athletic journey has been defined by my passion for roller derby, a sport that has allowed me to challenge boundaries and embrace fearlessness. From the derby track to the training floor, I've honed my skills and knowledge over a decade of diverse training experiences.
In my philosophy, surrounding oneself with individuals who genuinely want to see you succeed is paramount. I believe in a judgment-free environment, where every individual is empowered to create a lifestyle that nurtures their well-being. Through my coaching, I aim to instill this mindset and help others forge their path to a stronger, more empowered self. Together, let's embark on a journey of growth, strength, and transformation.

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