Trainers

Andy Baker

First day at the new gym on Northpark

  • Owner /  Trainer
  • B.S. in Sport and Health Science
  • USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach
  • National Strength & Conditioning Association certified Personal Trainer
  • Level I Crossfit Instructor
  • 2010 Natural Athlete Strength Association Grand National Champion.

Born and raised in Kingwood, TX, I graduated from Kingwood High School in 2000, where I was a member of the football team all four years.  After graduating from KHS I spent 2 1/2 years at Texas A&M in the Exercise Science program.  Between my freshman and sophmore years, I did an internship with the Texas Athlete’s Course, where I was able to come back to Kingwood and instruct middle school and high school athlete’s during the summer of 2001.
I joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003, where I served a 4 year enlistment, including two tours of duty to Iraq.  While serving in the Marines, I was able to finish my degree through the American Military University.

I returned to Kingwood in May 2007 and opened Kingwood Strength & Conditioning in January 2008.

Having been an employee and a member of various health clubs through the years, I grew disillusioned with the industry.  I was tired of seeing so many people join various health clubs and fitness programs only to find that once the initial sale was made, then little service and no fitness was provided.  I got tired of being around gimmicky weight loss programs, and I wanted to provide people with real, serious strength & conditioning.  As an employee, I was hounded by management about how much money I had been able to squeeze out of each client each month for new products and programs. I found it strange that they never asked about the results my clients were getting.  I knew it was time to do something different.

I believe Kingwood Strength & Conditioning is an environment where people who are serious about getting into great shape can come and train in private and learn how to safely and effectively go about developing their fitness levels.  I want to teach people how to use free weights, so they aren’t intimidated by exercise that actually works.

In addition to training my clients (which takes up the majority of my time), I also compete as a competitive powerlifter.  I believe that remaining a competitive athlete makes me a better trainer to the athletes that I work with.

My most recent competition was the 2010 NASA Grand Nationals.  I took first place in the 198 lb weight division and set an American Record in the Squat (530 lbs) and a Texas state record in the Bench press (380 lbs).  My performance also included a personal record, 562 lb Deadlift.

 

Women shouldn't be afraid of an effective strength training program. Here, Andy coaches Donna through a set of Deadlifts, a great developer of the legs and back


Meeka Karger

Meeka, coaching Laura through a set of push ups

  • Personal Trainer
  • Small Group Instructor
  • Certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine

 

“I’m a life long fitness enthusiast, and I have always appreciated what a healthy lifestyle does for me and my family.  As a Mom of 3 kids, I spend a lot of time at the soccer field but also find time to compete in the occasional race and I love to back pack in the mountains during the summer.  My passion for fitness took me on a path where I could share my knowledge and teach others about living a healthy lifestyle.”

Meeka specializes in training women, either one on one or as part of a small group (2-3).  Workouts are fun, but challenging and use a wide range of exercise modalities to help build lean muscle, shed body fat, and improve cardiovascular endurance.

Meeka is currently directing the Women’s Only Small Group class.  For more information on this class click here:

http://www.kingwoodstrength.com/womens-only/

 

Meeka gives out some technique pointers on a set of tricep dips