Gretchen was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from Hillsdale College. Her passion for fitness developed in high school and continued into her collegiate years, culminating in a career that has spanned nearly a decade. Since breaking into the industry, she increased her knowledge, skills, and experience with various training methods. The Starting Strength method of barbell training stood out to her as the most effective and simple strength training program in existence. As she learned and grew as a coach, it became clear to her that muscular strength is the basis of all physical interactions and the quality that most profoundly impacts health, longevity, and performance. Naturally, she spent more time under a loaded barbell developing her skills as both a lifter and a coach, resulting in her becoming a Starting Strength Coach in 2023. Gretchen has coached men, women, and teenagers of all ages and abilities to help improve performance, body composition, and overall health.
When she is not coaching, Gretchen keeps busy with a diverse group of hobbies. She is an avid country swing and salsa dancer, trains and competes in Strongman shows, enjoys stand up paddle boarding, and also reads to exercise her brain as well as her body. In addition to strength coaching, she also officiates women’s lacrosse, field hockey, and volleyball on the high school and college level.
Email me at Gretchen.e.geist@gmail.com for more information about in-person coaching
Email me at Gretchen.e.geist@gmail.com for more information about online coaching
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6 Reviews on “Gretchen Geist, SSC”
Gretchen is a fantastic strength coach. She was my Starting Strength coach when I started lifting weights for the very first time in my 68 years of life. She was so patient but never treated me like an “Old Lady”. She knows her stuff. She made me do it right. She also helped me with nutrition and the importance of protein and how to increase my consumption of it. She’s fun to work with. I believe her coaching made me want to continue this adventure and improve. I really miss her but circumstances change. I will stay in touch with her and keep her updated on my accomplishments.
Gretchen is an excellent coach and very professional. She teaches proper form while lifting and helped me correct my lifts. She taught me about nutrition and calculated how much protein I needed daily. She found resources for me to read and with her expertise she helped me lose 32 pounds my first year at Starting Strength. Gretchen is fun to work with and very knowledgeable.
Gretchen is by far the best trainer I have ever had. Keep in mind that I played Division 1 college football. She knows her stuff, she has just the right amount of pushing you to do more than you thought you could do, while keeping you safe. She is great with modification of your workouts if you are injured or not feeling your best. Great trainer and coach and I would HIGHLY recommend.
Gretchen was my Starting Strength coach between May 2022-December 2024 at Starting Strength Memphis. I am in my late 70s and had never exercised regularly before. Since I began, my bone density has increased significantly, as have my strength and balance. Gretchen’s skill as a coach is the reason why I developed the good habits that keep me returning to the gym at least twice a week. A certified Starting Strength Coach, she is firm in her expectations of what her clients can do and always helps them adjust their form for the best results. She understands when to ask for more and when to pull back. Gretchen has the temperament to work with clients from beginner to advanced levels. She has a positive outlook and believes in her clients. She is patient and always attentive to her clients’ safety.
I had been lifting weights most of my adult life when, in my late 50s, I started training with Gretchen. I had spent some time working on my own using Starting Strength books and videos, and I’d gotten stronger but I had gone as far as I could go on my own. All my lifts had stalled. Gretchen got them moving up again. For example, I doubled my deadlift during the time she was my coach (which ended only because she moved away). I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a strength coach.
Gretchen is a great coach. Excellent attention to detail and form. She’s stern when needed to help push you to do your best. She is also very accommodating when it comes to working around an injury or other life matters. Would recommend.