2740 25th St. N, St. Pete (map)
crossfitstpete@gmail.com
561-252-1384 or 727-641-0060

Wendy Arnold is our Head Trainer and Foundations Classes Coach. Wendy is a firefighter with Clearwater Fire and Rescue and has always been passionate about fitness. Growing up, and moving state to state as a “military brat;” (Wendy’s father was in the Coast Guard. She lived in 6 different states and attended 3 high schools) Wendy found that the best way to transition to a new school and meet new friends was by getting involved in athletics. She ran cross country in high school and worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

In college, Wendy continued to run Division 1 Cross Country for Winthrop University where she majored with a BS in Exercise Science and a minor in Health. She competed recreationally for 5 years in triathlons ranging from Sprint to Half-Ironman distances.

After college, she continued her love for fitness into her professional career. Prior to entering the fire service she was a professional personal trainer and worked for REEBOK International as a South Florida Marketing Rep. She was a also a group exercise instructor of six years in group exercise classes including the following: step aerobics, cardio- kickboxing, floor aerobics, basic training, and step/sculpt.

As far as training, Wendy has done it all from Half-Ironmans, Cross country running, NPC National Level Figure Competitions (winning the overall in 2003 Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure show), and now to the Firefighter Combat Challenge.

Firefighting is the perfect career for her where she can combine her love for adventure, adrenalin, and fitness and use it to help others. She loves the physically demanding part of the job and she loves that the job is different everyday. She has competed in the Firefighter Combat Challenge since being hired in 2007.

Wendy is CrossFit Level 1 certified, and NSCA CSC.

An accomplished and hard working CrossFitter, Jess has been hitting the WODs for over two years.

I started CrossFitting a little over two years ago.  I was originally introduced to CrossFit thru Marc, but what truly got me motivated was when I ran my first 5K and it took me over 45 minutes to finish, yes, it’s true! Bad-ass moms with their kids and their strollers were passing me left and right! Also, true!

It didn’t come overnight, but after several months of working out and making changes in my diet & nutrition - trying different eating styles from The Zone now to Paleo - I was able to see changes in my fitness (insert “clothes’ for “fitness”) and I was hooked.

Since my first miserable 5K, I have completed several other 5K’s, duathlons and a 10-hour Adventure Race.  I’ve seen changes in my strength as well as my endurance.  When I first started CrossFitting I couldn’t do a single pull up, now I can complete a WOD with pull ups, not to mention starting out with dead lifts and cleans that weighed a little more than just the bar to having a PR dead lift of 235# and a PR clean of 115# – I’m not the strongest in the gym…not yet, but it’ll happen! 

Tamara Bagby (gym nickname "Rizzo") is a Trainer at Crossfit St. Pete. who has been crossfitting for over two years and was certified as a Level 1 Crossfit trainer in early 2011. Tamara currently trains early mornings, opening the gym on select days, and assists with Foundations training sessions.

Rizzo has had great personal success with Crossfit, losing a significant amount of weight and bodyfat. Coming from being a mostly sedentary person and weighing over 240lbs, she has entirely changed her life through exercise and nutrition and lost about 95lbs. Tamara now prides herself on her ability to compete with other Crossfit athletes and regularly competes in local Crossfit competitions and plays soccer in a recreational league. In March 2011, Rizzo won our annual gym competition, the Shillelagh Smackdown, placing first out of a field of over 15 strong women. She believes any person can achieve a healthy weight with hard work and dedication.

I have been active my entire life. I fell in love with the CrossFit about 3 years ago and it has completely transformed my health and fitness.

Prior to CrossFit,  I danced professionally and taught many dance techniques for over 6 years. I started CrossFit in May 2010 when I graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Anthropology. Later that month, I competed with Gator CrossFit in the 2010 CrossFit Southeast regional competition. I was certified soon after and have been working as a trainer ever since. Today, I am proud to say, I am currently on no medications and healthier than I've ever been.

I am a mom of three awesome childrern (12, 9 and 6) and married to Rob who is also a crossfitter. I currently coach the 9:30-10:30 morning class. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University. In addition, I have held multiple health and fitness certifications over the years. Prior to having children, I trained and taught fitness classes to individuals in Orlando and Tampa. In 1997, I competed on an elite fitness team where I placed in the top ten in the national Ms. Galaxy obstacle course competition. I have also competed in many races and sprint triathalons.

After having my kids, I was looking to get into better shape. A friend told me about Crossfit and I immediately was interested. I always loved circuit training and realized soon that Crossfit was the ultimate circuit and weight lifting gym. I have been at Crossfit StPete since October 2010 and in September 2011 I  was Crossfit Level 1 certified. This gym has made a huge impact on me and my goals. I look forward to coaching and encouraging others to do the same.