Meet Chris, the Owner and Head Coach of our Metal Zone CrossFit community. With a lifelong passion for sport, recreation, martial arts, and fitness, Chris has immersed himself in a wide range of activities since his early years.  After serving with 1RNZIR in the NZ Army, Chris spent some time in a corporate environment before dedicating himself to training athletes across various disciplines, specializing in CrossFit, Strength and Conditioning, Injury Prevention, and rehabilitation.

 

With a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (BSpExSc) and certifications in Fitness Industry Training and Massage, Chris continuously enhances his expertise. He holds multiple CrossFit certificates, including CF Level I + II, Weightlifting, Kids, and Mobility Trainer courses. Passionate about learning and growth, he consistently seeks new knowledge and skills.

 

Chris firmly believes in the transformative power of CrossFit for the community. Witnessing the positive impact it has on resilience, self-belief, and confidence, he's seen how it influences all aspects of life - school, work, home, and beyond. Overcoming aggressive prostate cancer and defying expectations after radical prostatectomy surgery, Chris's personal experience has reinforced his belief that "CrossFit makes you harder to kill."

Meet Cindy, Owner, Coach, Nutritionist and 50+ Masters Athlete at Metal Zone CrossFit. With a CrossFit journey that began in 2012, Cindy found the perfect outlet at a crucial time in her life. As an adrenaline-seeking individual who embraced everything from motorbikes, barefoot water skiing, and bungee jumping, she faced the difficult and emotional challenge of grief weight after losing her 18-year-old son in a tragic car accident. Determined to transform, Cindy walked into her first CrossFit class and experienced an empowering workout that pushed her body to its limits.

 

In a remarkably short period, she shed over 20kg, becoming stronger and fitter than ever before. CrossFit not only helped her lose weight but also instilled confidence, self-love, and a strong sense of community. Mentally and physically empowered, Cindy was hooked, igniting her passion for CrossFit.

 

Cindy is a CF-L1 and is a Precision Nutrition Qualified professional. While she enjoys coaching the vibrant Fitfam at Metal Zone, her true passion lies in being the gym's Nutritionist. She orchestrates 8-week Nutrition Challenges and provides personalized nutrition coaching, ensuring individuals optimize their performance alongside their sports-specific and CrossFit training.

 

Cindy aims to be the most upbeat, professional, and knowledgeable Coach and Nutritionist. Her ultimate goal is to help as many people as possible achieve fitness, health, and unlock their true potential. Join Cindy on this transformative journey, and together, let's realize your goals! 

Meet Casey, born and raised in the mighty Waikato! Through his schooling years Casey enjoyed multiple sports including Athletics, Jiu Jitsu, Touch Rugby and Motorsport.

​

After a few years of minimal exercise Casey's passion for health and fitness was reignited and really kicked into gear when he began at Metal Zone Crossfit in 2021! He is a firm believer that CrossFit transforms you into the best version of yourself physically and mentally. 

​

His favourite thing about Crossfit is…EVERYTHING. Casey believes that Crossfit is a place where people from all walks of life, abilities and backgrounds can come together and be a part of a supportive and encouraging community.

 

“Being a coach, helping people change their lives and meet their goals is a privilege and something special.”

 

Casey has his CF-L1 and continues building his knowledge across all aspects of health and fitness.

Meet Shannon, Metal Zone Coach and athlete.

Shannon has always been a mover, playing netball, soccer, and hockey at school, then dabbling in MMA/Jiu Jitsu later on.

 

Shannon started CrossFit to support her strength and fitness for Roller Derby but really settled in to CrossFit after the world stopped in 2021.

​

When joining Metal Zone in 2023, Shannon found a better way to train and to look after her health; one that promotes longevity and sustainability.

This is where her love for the methodology really began and along the way she has learnt plenty, discovered an amazing community with fantastic coaches and found her special place.

​

As a lifelong-learner, the variance and breadth of CrossFit is perfect and beginning the coaches journey is just the start of a whole new world of knowledge Shannon is excited to dive into!

Meet James, Carpenter by trade, Adult Educator as a career and CrossFit coach as a passion! James has a natural love of sports, moving his body in a functional way and supporting others to do so. This shows in his range of present and past hobbies outside of CrossFit including Surfing, Snowboarding, Wakeboarding, Hockey, Rugby, Touch Rugby, Golf, Cricket and Squash.

 

Although generally active with his hobbies, James found it difficult to stick with a gym or fitness regime and would go through phases of ‘on-again, off-again’ stints when training in a classic gym environment. Then he tried his first CrossFit class in 2019, was hooked and has been training consistently since.

 

James has loved the culture and community at Metal Zone CrossFit since joining in 2022 and loves contributing to these things even more so now as a coach.

 

James is a firm believer that more than anything, you are a product of your environment.

 

“An effective, supportive environment brings about change for the better. Metal Zone ticks these boxes for me, and I love helping ensure it ticks these boxes for others. Being a coach, supporting people’s growth and development, watching these things unfold in front of me is amazing. Supporting people with their fitness journey is supporting them in life and I feel privileged to do so.”

 

James is determined to support people to ‘break the cycle’ of CrossFit, gyms and fitness in general being perceived as ‘scary’ things.

 

“Routine fitness wasn’t a thing growing up in our household, it was unfamiliar and the thought of going somewhere to train was daunting. It took me until I was 28 years old to join a gym, 34 until I started CrossFit. Looking back, I wish I started CrossFit sooner. Looking at the present, I’m grateful I didn’t wait any longer, and I’m stoked Metal Zone and adults training are familiar, fun things for our kids to experience, in turn breaking the cycle.”

 

 

James has his CF-L1 and has over a decade of experience in Adult Education with a Level 5 Certificate in Adult Education & Tertiary Teaching.