ABOUT US
HEALTH FIRST
Our Mission at Gifford Fitness is to provide people the care, love and respect that they need to be the healthiest, happiest version of themselves. This requires the highest level of coaching and engagement possible, and we will develop and empower our staff members as such.
Gifford Fitness started in the spring of 2016 in a Lino Lakes garage with a small group of members committed to health, fitness, fun, and a positive environment. Lifting with hand-me-down barbells and weights collected from friends and family and sled sprinting up neighborhood sidewalks, we dodged dogs, kids, and curious neighbors while building our idea of the perfect gym.
We wanted to create a place where anyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, race, weight, political beliefs, or level of health could come to become a better version of themselves. We wanted to build not just better athletes, but better people – better mothers and fathers, better community members, better students, better leaders. We believed that building health and longevity, building incredible athletes, and building kinder and stronger human beings didn’t have to be mutually exclusive ideas. We were able to open our physical gym space in New Brighton shortly thereafter, funded exclusively by founding members who shared our vision.
Today, Gifford Fitness in New Brighton has grown to house several life-changing programs led by passionate and dedicated coaches, and is filled with many inspiring and committed members, all who still live and breathe the core values developed through our grassroots origin.
Achieve Your Fitness Goals
Flexible membership packages to suit all levels of athlete and achieve your fitness goals
MEET THE STAFF
Nick Gifford
CF-L3 | Owner and Head Coach
I opened Gifford Fitness in 2016, and have been riding the wave every day since. The gym is my happy place where every day I get to come in and work alongside people I respect, and help people I care about.
I absolutely love watching people win. My entire day is structured around helping people win. If I do my job right, and I put the right people in the right places, set up the client and the coach for success, then I get to my favorite thing over and over again – and that’s watching people win. In a world full of unwanted feedback, negativity and constant comparisons to “should’ve” and “could’ve” drive-by commentators, I aim to help people win on their own terms. I want my coaches to win, and I want our clients to win. Sometimes that’s just walking through the door, or getting upside down for the first time, or going after that job you’ve always wanted, or maybe just telling yourself that you won, and that you’re proud of yourself.
I get great satisfaction in helping people of all ages and from all walks of life realize their true potential as a parent, a sibling, a teammate, a friend, and as an individual. I found my interest in health and fitness at a young age, and that interest has blossomed into my passion. Helping people is my calling, and it is why I have chosen to live the life of a coach.
Today, Gifford Fitness is home to the curious, both staff and clients, who express their interest in fitness as fun, creativity, exploration, and play. We’ve built a home that brings this unique way of training, fitness, and lifestyle to growing kids, driven teenagers, and hardworking adults. It is our home, and I am very proud of it.
CERTIFIED CROSSFIT LEVEL 3 TRAINER (CF-L3)
Matt Fedde
CF-L3 | Group Coach, On-Ramp Coach, General Manager
Laura Narhi
CF-L2 | Group Coach, On-Ramp Coach
In 2013, I discovered CrossFit. I was stuck in a fitness rut, and my friend, already a CrossFitter, suggested I try a class. After that one class, I was hooked and never looked back. I found a community that never settles for the status quo: people who strive to be better humans and who put their health and well-being at the top of their priorities. The Gifford community is something special, and with these athletes, working out is fun and uplifting.
Max Denis
CF-L1 | Group Coach, On-Ramp Coach
Amanda Koltes
CF-L2 | Group Coach, On-Ramp Coach
Josh Cobb
CF-L1 | Teens Weightlifting Coach and Sales Manager
Missy Byers
CF-L1 | Kids Coach
Mikayla Miller
Facility Manager
Janine Mistrick
CF-L1 | Group Coach
Mezi Koke
CF-L1 | Group Coach
GIFFORD FITNESS CAREERS
Part-Time Group Coach
Are you looking to help build happy, healthy people and grow as a fitness professional?
Gifford Fitness is looking for an experienced Sports Performance Coach to join our team part time (3-10 hours/classes per week).
You’ll join a staff of professional, growth-oriented, walk-the-talk, no-b.s. communicators who believe in a health-first approach to fitness.
NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 2 years of CrossFit training at an affiliate
- A minimum of 1 year of CrossFit Coaching at an affiliate (CF-L1 must be in good standing)
- CrossFit Kids Certificate or Brand X Professional Youth Coach Certification
- Background in College or Varsity athletics
- First Aid/CPR Certified (or obtained within 30 days of onboarding)
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- CF-L2, USAW, SafeSport credentials
- Precision Nutrition Certification (or similar)
- Flexible schedule
- Desire to grow as a Coach in the fitness industry
BENEFITS
- Competitive compensation
- Gym membership
- Monthly staff and coach professional development
- Contributions to a continuing education account
Coach Apprenticeship
The Gifford Fitness Apprenticeship program is a flexible learning and employee development program intended to teach young potential coaches the basics of the fitness industry and help develop potential future career opportunities.
The responsibilities of the Apprentice depend on the needs of the gym, which will vary over time.
Schedule
- Participants need to be able to work anywhere from 2-6 hours per week
Responsibilities
- Assistant Coach with CrossFit Kids
- Assistant Coach with GiffyFit Teens
- Assistant Coach with Teens Sports Programs
- Front Desk work
- Cleaning
Benefits
- Unlimited Membership at Gifford Fitness
- Key to the gym
- Access to learning resources from seminars, continuing education materials, etc.
- Access to knowledge and experience from experienced coaches in the fitness industry
- Earn your CrossFit Level 1 – upon graduation of the Apprenticeship program, Gifford Fitness will pay for future Gifford Fitness employees’ CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course
Not Sure Where to Start?
Picking the right program can be overwhelming. Let us help you!