Gary Schmid, Founder and Lead Trainer Gary has been involved in fitness for most of his life, ever since he inherited his brother's barbell set. At the age of 13, he began studying martial arts with an emphasis on self-defense. He went on to write and produce the "Ready Defense" series of self-defense videos (now available free online at readydefense.com).
While working as a software consultant, Gary continued to train people in martial arts with a focus on fitness and power. He also developed some eLearning tools and taught courses for the University at Buffalo School of Management (Computer Training@UB). Teaching is in his blood!
When one of his kickboxing training groups wanted to do some additional work, he developed some software to coordinate it online and this eventually led to the blitzometer.com system. After resettling in his hometown of Buffalo (having been to more than 25 countries and all seven continents), Gary decided to focus on training people and promoting fitness, using blitzometer to add more service, tracking, and accountability. StrongFast Fitness was born!
Gary has been a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) but no longer pays annual fees just to keep putting "CPT" after his name. He has been Functional Movement Screen Certified (FMSC) and a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified Coach. He also has a black belt and a BS in Information Systems Management.
Dennis "Hutch" Hutchins, Trainer Sensei Hutch helps out as a part-time trainer for StrongFast. He has been teaching martial arts for more than 30 years and operates Seven Tigers Martial Arts. Sensei Hutch appeared in the "Ready Defense" self-defense video series (readydefense.com). He is an avid weightlifter and yoga practitioner and has traveled the world, including a visit to a Shaolin Temple in China.