Coaching Services

Our Coaches

Rob Rykowski, MA, CSCS, USAPL, USAW
Owner

His sports:
Powerlifting 93KG - 551/343/684
Mountain Biking - Pisgah
Rock Climbing - V5/5.11+
Obstacle Course Racing
Lacrosse
Swimming
Yoga
Meditation
Sound Healing

Credentials:
USAPL State Record Holder
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
USAPL Club Coach
USAPL State Referee
USAPL National-level competitor  
USA Weightlifting Sport Coach    
CrossFit Level 1 Coach
Head Coach, CrossFit Watch City
Spartan Obstacle Course Specialist            
FMS Movement Specialist
GROW Model sport performance coach
BS, MA, Communication

rob@ncstrength.com

Rob was overweight all throughout childhood. When he was 19 he dedicated himself to fitness and weight loss and has been helping others as a coach since 2007. He first opened CrossFit Watch City, a successful strength-focused gym in Boston that worked closely with USA Powerlifting MA. He then moved to Cary and started NC Strength to focus on all the benefits strength has to offer.

He has competed and coached (drug-free) powerlifters at the national level and worked with D1 Athletic teams like North Eastern Swimming and Diving. He has coached mountain bikers, rock climbers, hockey players, and athletes from most field sports. He's also competed in swimming, lacrosse, mountain biking, running, weightlifting, CrossFit, and OCR. 

With a  a deep understanding of sport communication and coaching psychology, he delivers results with a patience and clarity that continually finds clients surprising themselves.

Spotlight Testimonial - Lori, State Record Holder

I wanted to thank you for completely changing pretty much everything about my bench press! I have done two workouts since our session last week and have enjoyed the changes. The best result, very little pain from that aggravated right arm.

Before our session, I mentioned anything over 240 lbs was hit and miss. 242.5 was my enemy. Not today! I warmed up, 135 x 5, 185 x 3, 225 x 2 and then 245 x 1. No problem, good speed and NO PAIN!!!

I also want to say how much I enjoyed your teaching style. Your drawings helped, you let me ask questions and gave me space to work it out during the session. I will be back. My next goal it to set a new M1b American Record in December. The current one is 120 kg (264.6 lbs). I have hit 260 lbs twice. Based on how good 245 felt today, I think with some smart programming, and your keen eye, I could break that record. I have hope that it’s possible now.

Holden Harper, BS, ACE-CPT, USAW
Operations Manager
Strength Coach
Olympic Weightlifting Coach
Personal Trainer

His sports:
Olympic Lifting 89kg- 121kg, 148kg
Disc Golf
Hiking
Football

Credentials:
State Record Holder in Snatch, C&J, and Total (Oklahoma)
ACE- PT
USAW L-1
BS, Nutritional Sciences

holden@ncstrength.com

Although he played sports through most of his time in grade school, Holden did not find his true love for fitness until rekindling some friendships with his old teammates during his first year of college where he found drive to push himself competing against his friends. That competitiveness pushed him into powerlifting, then weightlifting, and pursuing his Personal Training certification.

He began coaching the Olympic lifting class at Oklahoma State and held that role for 3.5 years until moving to North Carolina after graduating with his degree in Nutritional Sciences. Over his 6 years of training and coaching, he has worked with a wide range of clientele, from those with physical disabilities, to general health clients, to those wanting to compete and qualify for regional and higher end strength sport competitions. 

Josh Noble, USAPL, NFPT
Strength Coach
Powerlifting Coach
Personal Trainer

His sports:
Powerlifting

Credentials:
USAPL Club Coach
USAPL State Record Holder
USAPL State Chair (IA)
USAPL Referee
NFPT Certified Trainer

josh@ncstrength.com

Josh Noble, an Iowa native, moved to the Triangle in early 2020. He brings tremendous diversity and experience as a competitive powerlifter. He focuses on powerlifting, strength and conditioning, and helping individuals maintain healthy lifestyles by building a strong foundation related to lifting and nutrition. Josh is NFPT certified and a certified USA Powerlifting Coach. For three years he served as the USA Powerlifting Iowa State Chair and hosted sanctioned meets annually to help grow the program in the State of Iowa. Throughout his eight years as a trainer, Josh has coached competitive powerlifters ranging from ages seven to seventy. He modifies an athlete’s program with intention to fit his or her needs, abilities, and overall goals. He himself is a national 83 kg/93 kg USA Powerlifting competitor, stepping on the national stage three of the last four years. Josh continues to hold the Iowa 93 kg squat record.

As the NCS powerlifting coach, Josh has and continues to coach recreational competitors and national competitors alike, including Arnold Sports Festival Competitors, and American Record holders. Additionally, many of his lifters are state record holders throughout various states. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced lifter, Josh is ready to help you achieve PR’s both inside and outside of the gym.

Lindsay was a competitive soccer player all through grade school until late high school. To supplement
her training for soccer, she frequently found herself in the weight room. Multiple injuries later, including
ACL and meniscus surgeries, Lindsay stopped playing soccer and lifting altogether. It was not until
almost a decade later that she found powerlifting and rekindled her passion for lifting.

Also an Iowa native, Lindsay helped build the USA Powerlifting community in the state with Coach Josh Noble, where
they were able to increase the number of USAPL members by over 30% in less than three years. She has
been a USAPL competitor for seven years, state USAPL referee for six, a meet director for five, and is a
strong advocate for the powerlifting community in general – encouraging people of all ages, abilities,
and gender to step underneath a barbell.

Working with Coach Josh and helping to support his athletes over the past decade led Lindsay
to want to utilize her skillset, experience, and passion as a coach herself. She is able to help you start
reaching your goals, effectively communicate with you as a lifter, and challenge you to get stronger
safely and sustainably.