★ ★ ★
STRANGE.
Never AVERAGE.
I HELP MEN BUILD THE STRENGTH
—AND LIFE—THEY WANT.
AND LIFE THEY WANT.
★ ★ ★
I’m Zachary Grady-Strange—certified personal trainer and a proud Northern Kentucky native based in Newport, and providing 1-on-1 personal training and nutrition coaching to men throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Having grown up in northern Kentucky, my midwestern upbringing shaped me. Its down-to-earth, no hype qualities are the same qualities I bring to my coaching: I’m about straight talk, solid training, and results that speak for themselves.
Over nearly a decade in fitness, I have worked and trained across Greater Cincinnati— from Fort Thomas and Covington, to Newport, Bellevue, Hyde Park, and Anderson Township. And along the way, I’ve enjoyed lifting in some of the area’s best gyms, from the Gymbo’s in West Chester to Raw Performance Labs in Milford. I’m honored to have truly trained among the best in Cincinnati.
Today, I’m based at River City Barbell in the Bellevue–Dayton area, but I also partner with gyms across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati based on each client’s preference. Wherever I train, my mission stays the same: to help men foster strength, confidence, and fulfillment—one rep at a time.
BUT I DIDN’T START THIS WAY.
THE RIGHT COACH
CHANGED MY LIFE
I started out like a lot of guys do—unsure of what to do, intimidated by the equipment, and embarrassingly weak. In fact, I purposely trained in the middle of the night at Anytime Fitness just to avoid being seen. That didn’t help as I eventually had the one experience every new guy in the gym fears: being told by a more experienced gym rat that I didn’t belong on the weight floor because it was for “real men.” (Yes, seriously.) From that point forward, I was determined to prove myself.
Back when I was just starting out, I didn’t need someone to hold my hand — I just needed someone to give me direction. I was lucky enough to have a mentor who took me under his wing. He gave me no-nonsense guidance; but most importantly, he gave me the confidence to keep showing up. The personal investment my mentor made in me is the same kind of steady support I aim to pass on to every man I coach today. In fact, I adopted his last name “Strange” in my mentor’s honor, as I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him stepping in at the right time.
Now, I’ve come full circle. I’m a proud competitive bodybuilder within the Men’s Physique category with the National Gym Association (NGA) and a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
My mission is to help men build strength, confidence, and control over their bodies and lives—just like my mentor once did for me. Whether you’re stepping into the gym for the first time or trying to push past a plateau, my job is to guide you with clear, practical strategies that actually work in the real world. No gimmicks. No ego. Just real progress. Let’s get to work.
IT WAS A LONG JOURNEY TO GET HERE.
I’VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE—
AND KNOW HOW TO MOVE YOU FORWARD.
KNOW HOW TO MOVE YOU FORWARD.






I know what it’s like to be starting out: second-guessing workouts, wasting hours on Google, and trying to figure it all out. That’s where I come in. I know what it’s like to be starting out: second-guessing workouts, wasting hours on Google, and trying to figure it all out. That’s where I come in.
As someone who has walked the path ahead of you, I’ve made all the rookie mistakes. That means I know what to look out for and can help you avoid potential setbacks, plateaus, and frustrations. Together, I’ll take the guesswork out of the process and provide you with a game plan that is simple, practical, and effective. No gimmicks. No wasted time. Just faster results and a body you can be proud of.
2010
THE BEGINNING
It all started at Northern Kentucky University. I stepped into the gym for the first time as a complete beginner—no previous experience and no confidence. Without a sense of direction or progress, I eventually decided the gym just wasn’t for me and gave up.
2015
THE SECOND ATTEMPT
Years later, I gave it another shot. Like most guys, I had several false starts—short bursts of motivation followed by long stretches of inconsistency. Everything changed when I met my mentor, who gave me the guidance and reassurance I needed to stay consistent and finally make real progress.
2019
WORKING WITH A TRAINER
Once I had built a base, I hired my own personal trainer to advance me further in lifting and nutrition. That experience gave me firsthand insight into what it feels like to be coached, challenged, and supported—and it influences how I train my own clients today.
2019 - 2021
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
I also expanded my fitness journey beyond the weight room, working in a private fitness studio for the next 3 years. During this time, I tried out every form of group fitness I could: taekwondo, yoga, boxing, and even run clubs. Today, I blend the best elements from each to create a well-rounded training experience.
2024
BECOMING CERTIFIED
After nearly a decade of consistent weightlifting, I had earned respect in the gym as someone people came to for advice. I took it further, earning my certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in 2024 and turned my passion for training into a professional mission to empower others.
2025
COMPETING ON STAGE
I eventually stepped into the bodybuilding spotlight as a Men’s Physique competitor with the National Gym Association. For me, this wasn’t just about stepping on stage—it was about walking the talk. I wanted to prove that I live by the same discipline, structure, and persistence I teach my clients every day.
TODAY
CHANGING LIVES
I train clients out of River City Barbell in the Bellevue–Dayton area, pulling from everything I’ve learned along the way. My approach combines experience, strategy, and realism to help men become stronger and more confident versions of themselves—both inside and outside the gym.
WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT
What started as a personal pursuit has evolved into a mission. I know firsthand how powerful it is to have someone in your corner who gets it. Now, it’s my turn to be that person for others—to take what I’ve learned and turn it into a roadmap that helps other men win.
I TAKEINCORPORATE YOUR FEEDBACK INTO ACCOUNT.
As someone who has walked the path before you, I know there is more than one way to arrive at your goal and I am committed to guiding you to better health and fitness in a way that is flexible and sustainable for your lifestyle today, while allowing you to make changes as fast or as slow based on your readiness. You can only workout one day a week? Great, there’s ways we can make that workout efficient. Not ready to change anything about your diet? That’s fine, we’ll master the weight room first.
In short, even if you’re not willing or not ready to make a particular change, there are still 15 other ways we can improve your quality of life: making you stronger, reducing some fat, adding some muscle, improving your sleep, reducing your stress, keeping you hydrated and simply getting you to move more. Once you start making improvements in one area, everything else will naturally follow. You just have to start somewhere.
I FOCUS ON TRADITIONAL LIFTS.
When you train with me, we stick to what’s proven to work—not what’s trending on social media. My no-nonsense approach is built on the classics: the bench press, squat, and deadlift. These lifts have stood the test of time because they build real, functional strength and a physique that performs as good as it looks.
But “old school” doesn’t mean outdated. As a certified NASM trainer, I apply the latest science-based principles of strength and conditioning—from smart progression and recovery protocols to movement pattern assessments and individualized programming. You’ll train both hard and train intelligently.
I’ll teach you to master the basics, achieve proper form, build real strength, and even develop some grit through the process. No gimmicks. Nothing flashy. Just solid training rooted in discipline, backed by research, and built to get you stronger, leaner, and more capable. Be ready to work hard.
I PROVIDE REAL LIFE SOLUTIONS FOR REAL LIFE.
There is so much information out there, it’s hard enough to know where to start. I want you to keep in mind, though, that often the most “optimal” way of doing something is often based on a study conducted in a controlled lab environment. Instead, I provide practical advice for real men living busy lives: guys working 40 – 60 hour work weeks, providing for their families, and navigating the pressure to “do it all.” Besides, fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all. You first have to determine if the information is relevant to you and then know how to actually apply that information to your particular situation.
Together, we’ll create a game plan that fits your life. That means naturally weaving fitness into your busy day while also maximizing your time in the gym so every minute you invest in yourself is worthwhile. And, of course, I’ll make sure you have a few backup plans ready to go to keep you on track when life inevitably throws you curve balls, because life happens.
I SPECIALIZE WORKING WITH HARDGAINERS.
I’ve been in your shoes, skinny guys. I’ve been through the seemingless endless cycle of bulks, cuts, and–yes–even dirty bulks. Trust me, I get it. When I was younger I was really insecure about being skinny. I would “dirty bulk” too hard and put on 99% body fat for 1% of quality muscle. Not good. And guess what? I lost more time having to go back and cut down that excess fat than if I had just bulked correctly in the first place.
The truth is: your feelings can dictate your success. Everyone experiences a degree of self-criticism, and while that is normal and even healthy in small doses, it can lead us to making poor decisions because we want drastic changes too quickly. As your trainer, my job is to watch out for common pitfalls and navigate you around potential setbacks. I’ll make sure you stay the course even when your natural inclination may be to train too much or diet too hard, and help set realistic expectations so you can accurately measure your progress.
I WORK FOR YOU—NOT A GYM.
As an independent personal trainer, I work for you and not for a gym pushing for more sessions and additional services. At a big box gym, you pay for only 1 hour of the trainer’s time per session. Instead, I am truly your partner for success, meaning that I am present and available to you when you need me. We’ll have planned check-ins between your sessions to discuss how you’re doing, answer your questions, or just boost your motivation when you need it. After all, it’s one thing to just train someone–it’s a whole other level to coach them.
And what if you need a check-in in-between check-ins? Just send me a message and I will get back to you as quickly as possible, because I understand your progress shouldn’t stop the moment you walk out the gym door. I want you to keep winning all day, every day.
★ ★ ★
THIS IS YOUR REMINDER:
NOTHING
CHANGES.
IF NOTHING
CHANGES.
★ ★ ★
IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU’VE ALWAYS DONE, YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. TO GET A DIFFERENT RESULT, YOU NEED TO MAKE a DIFFERENT CHOICE.
Let’s face it—the norm today is poor health. Most people are overworked, out of shape, and running on poor diets and quick fixes. To actually be fit in today’s world, you have to be willing to go against the grain. Being fit isn’t normal. It’s not average. It’s Strange. But here’s the truth: if you keep doing what everyone else does, you’ll keep getting what everyone else gets. That’s what I help my clients do. Not to fit in—but to rise above.



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Zachary is the best personal trainer I have ever had. He is dedicated to building muscle, and has taught me 90 percent of what I know about working out. He will trim you in the gym and in the diet, which is more than other trainers I have had before.
— Ian Noll, Personal Training Client
NOW IT'S
YOUR TURN
LOSING FAT AND BUILDING MUSCLE ARE JUST THE START. A FITTER, HEALTHIER YOU IS A BETTER YOU IN ALL DOMAINS OF LIFE.
REDUCE YOUR STRESS by channeling it into every win on the weight floor.
BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS by showing up more present in every moment.
GAIN MORE CONFIDENCE knowing you’ve put in the work to earn your achievements.
EARN MORE RESPECT from consistency, discipline and results that speak for themselves.
EXPERIENCE GREATER LONGEVITY and stay strong, capable, and active for life.
FEEL MORE ALIVE THAN EVER
REDUCE YOUR STRESS
Channel it into every win on the weight floor.
FEEL HAPPY AND SATISFIED
Have a body–and a life–you’re proud of.
BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
Show up more focused, grounded, and present.
GAIN MORE CONFIDENCE
Know you’ve earned every achievement rep by rep.
EARN MORE RESPECT
Your hard work and results speak for themselves.
BE MORE PRODUCTIVE
HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE
Know exactly what you’re working towards.
FEEL CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE
Take your future into your own hands.
LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER
Stay strong, capable, and active for life.
FEEL MORE ALIVE THAN EVER
Have the energy to make the most of every day.
LET'S SHOW THE WORLD WHAT YOU CAN DO.
STEP 1: TELL ME ABOUT YOU
TELL ME ABOUT YOU
Enough about me—let’s talk about you! Tell me how fitness can help you live your best life. That can mean gaining confidence in the way you look, having the ability to enjoy your favorite activities, being healthy for yourself and your loved ones, having a greater sense of purpose… or having no purpose of all (I mean, lifting heavy objects and putting them back down is cool in itself in my totally unbiased opinion).
STEP 2: LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION
LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION
We’ll set up a 20-minute video call to get to discuss your needs and health history. Together, we’ll figure out how to incorporate fitness into your life in a meaningful, purposeful way. This call is complimentary with no commitment from you.
STEP 3: WE MEET FOR A SESSION
WE MEET FOR A SESSION
If we think we’re a good fit, we’ll have a trial session together which will include a physical assessment and my final recommendation on the best plan for you. Again, this session is complimentary. Plus, the personalized insights you’ll receive are invaluable, so expect to learn something in addition to a great workout!