Cassi Niemann
IRON SOUL GYM STRENGTH COACH
THE BARBELL CLUB COACH
BARBELL Medicine COACH
UCANROW2 LEAD MASTER ROWING INSTRUCTOR
PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM ATHLETICISM COACH
PRECISION NUTRITION Level 1 Certified COACH
Follow me: @cassi.niemann
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico at Iron Soul Gym.
I love super dorky things and probably say the word “awesome” too much. But my goal is to live a happy and fun life, all the while helping others to do the same – whether it’s through the built environment or your own built body.
I began my athletic career as a gymnast at age 2 and retired from that sport at age 15. I went on to compete in track & field in high school and then switched to collegiate rowing at Georgia Tech in 1997. After graduating in 2001, I began both my coaching and my architectural career simultaneously. While working full time as an architect, I spent my evenings coaching rowing (both on and off the water), bootcamps, group fitness and then later, CrossFit.
After a disappointing neck injury, I found a strength coach and she introduced me to the world of strength training and powerlifting. It soon became apparent that this was what I needed to be doing and also that I must share it with the world. After working professionally as a licensed architect for 14 years, (and evenings as a coach), I started making my transition into coaching full time in 2016.
I believe that finding the balance between architecture, strength and rowing allows me to grow in many different dimensions at once. I have discovered an abundance of overlaps between the spaces we build and the bodies that occupy them. I believe in the power of design and the endless benefits of well-thought out spaces. I also believe that strength training leads to healthier and happier people. Together, these lead to a more awesome life.
When I’m not coaching other people, I am competing as a powerlifter, dabbling in strongman events or rowing on my erg (+ on the water if I can find it!). My best lifts are: 285 lb squat, 170 lb bench, 122 lb press, 358 lb deadlift and I’ll never do a 2k on the erg again, so don’t ask. In October of 2019, I gave birth and became a mother - which has introduced me to my most challenging coaching job yet.
“Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Fear begets fear. Power begets power.”
MY PLEDGE
I believe that every person has worth as an individual and every BODY is strong. Every person is entitled to dignity, respect, and strength; regardless of age, race, color, religion, ability, body type, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Thoughts and acts of prejudice have no place in the gym, or the world. I strive to provide weight-neutral, LGBTQIA+ inclusive, anti-racist and accessible fitness for all. I pledge to treat all people with dignity and respect, to discourage others’ prejudice in all its forms, and maintain a climate for work and learning based on mutual respect and understanding.
