The Family Trade
I come from a line of coaches spanning a century. My grandpa used to say he married my grandma because “Old Ross Armstrong (my grandma’s dad) wanted some grandkids who were ball players, and I raised my hand.” Great Grandpa Ross and Grandpa Oren, known as “Red,” both have municipal ball diamonds dedicated to them back home. My dad very recently hung up his whistle after 30+ years of coaching at various levels, following his college football career. Growing up, there was always something in the summer or after school: my own practices, helping my dad coach, open gyms, and men’s league games. Sports are literally in my blood and bone.
Coach Suggitt is my father’s name, and my little brother is a pretty good ball player.
Grandpa Red did pretty good, eh?
My Turning Point
In college, I went through a rough patch and became very sedentary, which had a tremendous effect on my physical and mental well-being. One night at a cousin’s house, I stepped on the guest bathroom scale out of curiosity. I had already been heavier in college than in high school, and this was still 20% higher than the last time I had checked. I decided that night to change. I started with unsustainable dieting, which worked for a while but left me weak and constantly battling cravings. I got back in the gym and had some weight-loss success but was still aimless, then I started watching and listening to fitness content.
Getting Certified
I credit my friend Tony with my actual qualification. I met Tony at my gym in 2024 through a mutual friend. Tony was a young man who had been through far more than he deserved at his age, and had just moved to the area to live with his uncle. I befriended Tony and his uncle and offered to show Tony the ropes in the gym. Tony asked so many good questions that I felt I absolutely had to learn more, because leaving him without answers was bad and giving inaccurate information would be worse. So I signed up for courses, studied, and completed my qualifications in 2025, mostly out of a desire to help people on their fitness journeys with confidence in the information I provided.
Philosophy
“It is my goal to help people build a healthy and well-informed relationship with exercise, finding them programs that improve their quality of life while also providing recreation and enjoyment.”
Coaching Style
I am very hands-on and encouraging. I often work out with clients to some extent. I hold clients accountable and push them to move outside their comfort zone, but safety and enjoyment are key. It is impossible to sustain a long-term healthy relationship with exercise if you are hurting yourself or forcing yourself through it without having any fun.
Sports Background
Keeping with my sporty heritage, I played five sports at the high school level: Football, Baseball, Basketball, Swimming, and Track and Field. I’ve trained in all of these sports as a player and coach to some extent. I also developed an interest in soccer as an adult (we didn’t have school soccer teams where I grew up) and enjoy training for and playing it in my free time.
I understand what athletes need to feel and play their best. I am proficient in administering a variety of sport-specific training regimens and motivating athletes to perform at a high level. I obtained a certification in Sports Nutrition Coaching in 2025.
What Clients Say
“I remember not knowing how I was going to find two or three hours a week to get to the gym before. I dreaded going. Now I am excited to go, and it is a priority in my schedule.”
Coach Suggitt really focuses on technique, safety, and enjoyment. He has a ton of exercise knowledge and loves to share as much as you’re willing to learn!
Working with Isaac can be challenging but is also rewarding! He will push you but never goes beyond what you can realistically handle. He loves celebrating a client’s success.