Connor Hassinger
My passion for exercise started in grade school spending time in the home gym with my father. When I started playing sports, weight training became a way to improve on the field. I wanted to be the strongest and fastest player on the team. At the end of my high school baseball career, I realized I enjoyed strength training simply as a sport. My passion for exercise started in grade school spending time in the home gym with my father.
In college, I earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a Certificate in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. I joined the Powerlifting Team to find both a competitive outlet for my strength training and like-minded individuals to train and learn alongside. I went on to compete at two local and two national level meets. Our Pitt Powerlifting Team spotted and loaded for dozens of meets including the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. After my sophomore year, I decided to study for an Ace Certified Personal Trainer Exam; I was then hired by the University’s Campus Recreation Department. This was a very rewarding opportunity to learn from and help my fellow college students along their fitness journey.
After graduation, I interned at Union Fitness working with world class powerlifters and strength and conditioning coaches daily. Since joining Marino’s, I have learned so much from Chris, Justin, James, and Bri. I am so happy to be a part of such an intelligent and welcoming team. Getting to know and help the clients in any way I can has been very fulfilling. I’m currently training to run my first marathon in November. It has been an exciting, but tiring journey. Learning different strategies to improve my conditioning (on the polar opposite end of the spectrum from my powerlifting training) has given me new insight into cocurrent training.
Credentials:
B.S. – Chemical Engineering – University of Pittsburgh
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
CPR/AED/First Aid - American Red Cross