The Pit Barbell Club & Fitness Center

Mike Stagg

Mike has been a competitive powerlifter for 38 years. He began training under Pit Barbell Club founder and Coach Dick Connor, when he was 12 years of age. He is the President of the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and is a recognized Marshal Referee (highest referee rank) for the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. Locally, he has served as the Strength Coach for the Mater Dei wrestling team for almost 10 years. He enjoys working with men and women to help them achieve their fitness and strength goals. Mike has won 10 National Powerlifting titles and 5 World Powerlifting Titles. He has set many National, American and World powerlifting records. He is a believer in time under tension training and emphasizes safety during training cycles. He has and currently trains multiple men and women ranging ages 12 to 70. Coach Mike Stagg specializes in training individuals who want to be pushed a little harder than average or anyone wishing to be a competitive lifter. His training schedule is best for those who wish to train in the evenings (after 4:30pm).

Lanea Stagg

Lanea Stagg has undergone instruction in the Time Under Tension method with Coach Dick Conner and her husband, Mike. This method is perfect for women who do not have time to work out and and want to achieve great results! Lanea’s focus is helping women who want to increase mobility and improve their health so they can live pain-free productive lives. Lanea is available Monday through Friday.

Cody Frye

Cody Frye grew up as a fourth-generation carpenter, where he was exposed to the long-term effects of hard, laborious jobs on his friends and family. The experience led to his interest in making a positive impact on those closest to him. In his youth, he played baseball, lettered in track & field. Cody developed an interest in mixed martial arts in his twenties and found a passion for coaching others as an MMA coach in St. Louis. At 30 years old, Cody graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Southern Indiana. While attending USI, he focused attention on obtaining knowledge and skills to train a wide variety of people toward their individual goals. While at USI, he founded the USI Olympic Weightlifting Club, and acted as the treasurer, president, and exercise programmer. Additionally, he served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the USI Women’s Tennis team during the 2014-2015 season. In 2015 Cody began a full-time career as a personal trainer. Cody says, “Since joining The Pit Barbell Club in 2017, I have fallen in love with powerlifting. I have competed several times in raw and multi-ply events, and I enjoy the extreme challenge it brings. However, that doesn’t mean it’s all about the big weights; throughout this entire process my goal has been to teach people healthy movement patterns and correct muscular imbalances in order to assist people in living the life they want to live. This has led me to have a very thorough understanding of the core exercises, which, in combination with my ability to explain complex concepts, has given me the ability to help people move and feel better – whether that person is a 90-year-old woman in assisted living, a high-level athlete, or someone that is just getting started in the exercise world. I have the background and abilities to help you reach your fitness goals safely and effectively."

Education: Exercise Science, University of Southern Indiana

Gabe Rohleder

Gabe Rohleder focuses on using proper strength training to improve functional abilities, athletic performance, and overall quality of life. "I believe that EVERYTHING we do in the gym must have a specific purpose and a definite driving reason. People sustain injuries or cause long-term damage to their bodies when they lose sight of proper technique or have a misguided concept of exercise. That’s why we employ only the absolute most efficient and safest techniques when training clients. We are proponents of the slow method, timed static contractions and controlled negative repetitions which all serve to reduce force on the joints while maximizing the load a muscle experiences during the exercise. As a result, our training sessions are among the most intense, yet efficient possible - clients spend only 20 minutes training, per workout, and endure only one workout a week. Everyone has 20 minutes to spare! Why not spend them investing in your body, your strength, and your health?" Gabe's uncle Dick Conner, renowned powerlifting coach and strength trainer, provided valuable training and lesson to Gabe. "It's my mission to pass on the principles he instilled in me through years of training and to carry on his great legacy!" Visit Gabe's website here: https://www.deliberatetraining.org/

Tyler Lofthouse

Tyler Lofthouse graduated in 2017 from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Exercise Science. He became a ACSM certified personal trainer in 2018. Since 2017 Tyler has been training athletes, as well as people who desire to lose fat, gain muscle and improve resiliency to injury. Tyler currently works at an Evansville hospital where he trains employees and provides nutritional coaching. As a side interest, Tyler trains for bodybuilding and he utilizes a multifaceted approach to training clients for their specific goals. As long as the training has specificity, intensity, and consistency then the client will achieve their best results!

Education: Exercise Science, University of Southern Indiana

Certifications: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer