Troy Rand, PhD, CSCS, PN Level 1

I have been interested in health and fitness since I was very young, playing sports and participating in martial arts. I started taking exercise science classes when I was 19 years old and couldn’t afford a personal trainer. In my mid 20’s I became a recreational marathon and ultra-marathon runner, who also loved to lift weights. I started Crossfit training in 2009 and shortly after started personal training and coaching Crossfit and Crossfit endurance classes. I went back to school at 30 years old and worked straight through to earn a PhD in exercise science with an emphasis in biomechanics. After graduating I moved with my wife and two young boys to South Florida. I started South Florida Fitness to continue sharing my passion for health and fitness and to help make a difference in the lives of people I get to work with.

Certifications

There are many certifications in the health and fitness industry. While I feel that holding a current certification indicates that you have some type of qualifications, it by no means indicates your ability to train clients. I have held several certifications (listed below), but each certification costs money for memberships and continuing education credits so I do not feel the need to maintain a laundry list of certifications. I currently have a PhD in exercise science/biomechanics, I am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and a Precision Nutrition Level 1 nutrition coach.

Previous Certifications

• Spartan Group Exercise Coach
• National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Personal Trainer
• Crossfit – Level 1
• Crossfit – Endurance
• Crossfit – Mobility

Physical Achievements

I have never been an elite athlete by any means. I started running marathons just to see if I could finish. When I realized I didn’t have the physiology required to run a fast marathon I figured I could always try to run farther, and then got into ultras. The Ironman was something that was a bucket list item from when I first saw it on television when I was 19 years old. To date, I have completed the following.

• 15 – Marathons
• 2 – 50k races
• 3 – 50 mile races
• 70 miles of a 100 miler before DNFing
• Half Ironman Triathlon
• Full Ironman Triathlon