Coaching Team at Equip CrossFit
We have a great team of coaches who are incredibly experienced, qualified and knowledgeable. Our aim is to help you achieve your goals in a safe and effective way.
Johnny - CF-L3
Head Coach/Affiliate Owner
Johnny is the head coach and affiliate owner of Equip CrossFit.
He started CrossFit in 2012 in an effort to be come stronger and fitter for rugby, little did he know he would eventually give up rugby and focus just on CrossFit. Open workout 12.1 was his first ever WOD.... 7 minutes of burpees and somehow after that he was hooked.
Johnny has been working as a personal trainer for over 10 years and is currently S&C coach for the NI Women's football team and Belfast Met Rugby & Football Academy’s.
His qualifications include - BSc Health & Leisure Studies, CrossFit® Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1), CrossFit® Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2), CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3), CrossFit Football, CrossFit Gymnastics, NASM Certified Personal trainer, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist and Level 3 Nutrition.
John - CF-L1
Coach
John discovered CrossFit in 2023 after sustaining a rugby injury. His first workout, Karen left him instantly hooked. Coming from a rugby background, John was drawn to the competitive edge of CrossFit and quickly embraced its challenges.
His favourite movement is bar muscle-ups and John continues to push his limits while helping others do the same. After earning his CrossFit Level 1 certification in November 2024, he began coaching in 2025, bringing his knowledge and enthusiasm to every session.
Tara - CF-L2
Coach
Tara comes from a background of hockey, running and horse riding. She started CrossFit by complete accident entering the ‘Titanic Games’ in 2012 thinking it was ‘just a fitness comp’. She’s been hooked ever since!
Tara completed her CrossFit L1 in 2020 and since then has been coaching in Equip and gone on to complete her CrossFit L2 in 2024. Her main focus is the Equip Kids, Teens and Gymnastics speciality classes.
Her qualifications include - BA Sports Studies, CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Gymnastics and CrossFit Weightlifting.
John Cunningham - CF-L2
Coach
John has been doing CrossFit since 2014, so at this stage he’s had plenty of time to question his life choices during burpees He finally made it official and completed his CrossFit Level 1 in 2020.
John’s coaching philosophy is pretty simple, the only person you’re competing with is yourself. Well… yourself and maybe the person beside you when there’s 30 seconds left on the clock
He’s a big believer that training should be challenging, but it should also be FUN. Whether you’re chasing a PB, trying to nail a new skill, or just attempting to survive the workout, John will be there encouraging you along the way
Keir - CF-L1
Coach
Keir discovered CrossFit when Equip first opened, after winning a free month’s membership. From that moment, he was hooked and has never looked back.
His favourite movements include the snatch and any form of gymnastics, as he enjoys the challenge and precision they require.
In 2024, Keir earned his CrossFit Level 1 certification and immediately began coaching. He is passionate about helping others unlock their potential, improve their technique, and achieve their fitness goals, one workout at a time
Rachel - CF-L1
Coach
Rachel started CrossFit in 2014 after Head Coach and brother Johnny convinced her it was a good idea.
Rachel enjoys playing hockey and her favourite movement is the Deadlift. Rachel had a gym background in fitness instructing before finding CrossFit. In October 2017 Rachel completed her Level 1.
Her qualifications include BSc Health & Leisure Studies, CrossFit® Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and OCR Level 2 Fitness Instructor
Conor - CF-L1
Coach
Conor's main sporting experience prior to CrossFit was football, playing at an amateur level up until 2014.
Conor dabbled in commercial gyms before starting CrossFit in 2015 and has tried a few local competitions over the years.
Conor completed his CL-L1 in 2019 and has enjoyed coaching members ever since.
Recently Conor has been mostly focussing on the Equip Barbell class and has really enjoyed seeing member's progress
Hannah - CF-L1
Coach
Hannah has worked in the mainstream fitness industry for 9 years (2014). Her main focus has been GP referrals, specialising in mental health & a wide range of health conditions.
Hannah’s CrossFit journey began in 2019 when she was invited to a community WOD. The passion, enthusiasm & friendliness she encountered that day had her fixated on the CrossFit world.
Hannah’s goal is to enable anyone of any age & any ability to complete a CrossFit workout. Hannah believes that CrossFit isn’t just about the workouts it’s about the community & creating a safe space people will be able to utilise for their mental health as well as their physical.
Her qualifications include;
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
-Level 4 Diploma in Physical Activity & Wellbeing for Adults with Mental Health Conditions.
-Level 4 in Weight Management for Individuals with Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus & Metabolic Syndrome.
-Level 3 Strength & Conditioning for Exercise & Sports Performance.
Andy - CF-L2
Coach
Andy is one of the OGs of CrossFit in Northern Ireland.
As was the owner of CrossFit Northern Ireland, the first CrossFit box in Northern Ireland and has been part of the local CrossFit community since the very beginning.
Coming from a background in Thai boxing, Andy later developed a particular passion for Olympic weightlifting, going on to compete at both British Masters, winning in 2018 & taking silver in 2020. He also competed in the World Masters in 2018.
With years of experience both competing and coaching, Andy brings a huge amount of knowledge to the Equip coaching team, particularly when it comes to the Olympic lifts.
