Ryan Carpenter

Marine Veteran and StrongFirst Certified Trainer, Ryan Carpenter prides himself on building a fun and safe environment geared towards helping people push forward to meet their health and wellness goals through Kettlebell workouts.

A gym inside a gym, Carpenter uses space inside of Atlas Jiu Jitsu & MMA, at 110 Main street in South Glens Falls in the Midtown Plaza.

by Kate Haggerty Glens Falls TODAY

Ryan uses his passion for the Kettlebell workout and his own personal story to inspire others to create change in their lives. Ryan credits his ability to gain and maintain his sobriety with the discipline that was instilled in him by the Marine Corps. Ryan was an athlete throughout high school and had scholarship offers for college. But, he felt that he was going to waste the opportunity of college. He decided to enlist in the Marines. The values that the military instilled in Ryan were discipline, taking care of others, helping others, and relying on others. These values helped Ryan overcome his own personal struggles.

When Ryan left active duty with the United States Marine Corps in 1997, he struggled to keep in shape. It wasn’t until he chose sobriety that he found a new passion for working out. Ryan started off slowly with light workouts, changing his diet and making smarter choices. He began to lose weight and began to see his training evolve.

The Kettlebell workouts really appealed to Ryan because they were so effective in working the entire body. The low impact on the joints, and the improvement to his strength and conditioning, and the weight loss were undeniable. Ryan completed his StrongFirst Kettlebell Certification in July of 2020. In five years, he went from morbidly overweight to the strongest, healthiest and happiest he has ever been. Ryan’s goal with Simple Strength and Conditioning is to build a community and create a fun and safe workout for others. Being part of a community was something that Ryan missed from his years in the Marines.

Simple Strength and Conditioning opened in July of 2021 and just keeps growing. Ryan and his wife Cara put the time and effort into rehabbing an under-utilized area of the Atlas Jiu Jitsu & MMA Gym. Ryan & Cara were able to create a space where Ryan could oversee the workouts of his clients. “We started with 7 people; And that was enough to pay the rent. Then, as word of mouth got out we have gotten more and more people, and 90% of the people who try the Kettlebell workout stay in the program.” Ryan said. The Kettlebell workout spans all ages. Ryan’s clientele range in age from 13 to 74.

In 2012, when Ryan decided to get sober, it was the core values that the military instilled in him that helped him gain and build on his sobriety. The military taught him to “Always Do Better.” As he was striving to “Do Better,” it was the mental toughness that he gained as a Marine that helped him push through. “Without my military background, I probably would have caved. The mental toughness, what it is to be a Marine, and the standards that they instill helped me through my toughest days.” Ryan remembers being inspired by his Aunt Josie as well. She said to him, “You can do anything. You were a Marine! You can do anything!” Just those words of encouragement helped Ryan keep going. “That got me over the poor me phase of ‘what I had done to myself?’ and reminded me that my life is not over, and that I could fix this.”

Although the path that Ryan took throughout his life has had difficulties and challenges, he is thankful for his experience in the military and how it shaped him and instilled lasting values. “Without a doubt it was the best education that I have ever had.”

For information about membership rates, joining Simple Strength and Conditioning, and class schedules, visit their website: www.SimpleStrengthConditioning.com.