MEET THE TRAINERS

Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Our Trainers

Our gym recognizes the importance of providing assistance to our members so they can achieve results in their health and fitness plan. In addition to owners, Mike and Lanea Stagg, The Pit also is home base for trainers Cody Frye, Caroline Fardig, Thomas Blane, and Tyler Lofthouse. The Pit Barbell Club has a private training room for those who prefer a quiet experience as well.

Contact us today!

Mike Stagg

Mike has been a competitive powerlifter for 38 years. He began training under Pit Barbell Club founder and Coach Dick Connor, when he was 12 years of age. He is the President of the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation and is a recognized Marshal Referee (highest referee rank) for the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. Locally, he has served as the Strength Coach for the Mater Dei wrestling team for almost 10 years. He enjoys working with men and women to help them achieve their fitness and strength goals.

Mike has won 10 National Powerlifting titles and five World Powerlifting Titles. He has set many National, American and World powerlifting records. He is a believer in time under tension training and emphasizes safety during training cycles. He has and currently trains multiple men and women ranging ages 12 to 70. Coach Mike Stagg specializes in training individuals who want to be pushed a little harder than average or anyone wishing to be a competitive lifter. His training schedule is best for those who wish to train in the evenings (after 4:30pm).

Lanea Stagg

Lanea Stagg has undergone instruction in the Time Under Tension method with Coach Dick Conner and her husband, Mike. This method is perfect for women who do not have time to work out and and want to achieve great results! Lanea’s focus is helping women who want to increase mobility and improve their health so they can live pain-free productive lives. Lanea is available Monday through Friday.

Cody Frye

Cody Frye grew up as a fourth-generation carpenter, where he was exposed to the long-term effects of hard, laborious jobs on his friends and family. The experience led to his interest in making a positive impact on those closest to him. In his youth, he played baseball, lettered in track & field. Cody developed an interest in mixed martial arts in his twenties and found a passion for coaching others as an MMA coach in St. Louis.

At 30 years old, Cody graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Southern Indiana. While attending USI, he focused attention on obtaining knowledge and skills to train a wide variety of people toward their individual goals. While at USI, he founded the USI Olympic Weightlifting Club, and acted as the treasurer, president, and exercise programmer. Additionally, he served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the USI Women’s Tennis team during the 2014-2015 season.


In 2015 Cody began a full-time career as a personal trainer. Cody says, “Since joining The Pit Barbell Club in 2017, I have fallen in love with powerlifting. I have competed several times in raw and multi-ply events, and I enjoy the extreme challenge it brings.  However, that doesn’t mean it’s all about the big weights; throughout this entire process my goal has been to teach people healthy movement patterns and correct muscular imbalances in order to assist people in living the life they want to live. This has led me to have a very thorough understanding of the core exercises, which, in combination with my ability to explain complex concepts, has given me the ability to help people move and feel better – whether that person is a 90-year-old woman in assisted living, a high-level athlete, or someone that is just getting started in the exercise world. I have the background and abilities to help you reach your fitness goals safely and effectively."

Tyler Lofthouse

Tyler Lofthouse graduated in 2017 from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Exercise Science. He became a ACSM certified personal trainer in 2018. Since 2017 Tyler has been training athletes, as well as people who desire to lose fat, gain muscle and improve resiliency to injury. Tyler currently works at an Evansville hospital where he trains employees and provides nutritional coaching. As a side interest, Tyler trains for bodybuilding and he utilizes a multifaceted approach to training clients for their specific goals. As long as the training has specificity, intensity, and consistency then the client will achieve their best results!

Caroline Fardig

Caroline Fardig is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Women’s Fitness Specialist. She offers uniquely designed training programs to fit any health and fitness goals, from improved mobility to competitive powerlifting. 



She knows how difficult it is to make and maintain the commitment to a healthy lifestyle. After losing over a hundred pounds and keeping it off for six years and counting, she takes joy in encouraging others with similar challenges. She credits strength training and powerlifting with transforming her life. Caroline’s mission is to help her clients gain the confidence, strength, and energy to live life to its fullest. 

Thomas (T.J.) Blane

Thomas (T.J.) Blane

The Pit family is happy to add our newest trainer, Thomas (T.J.) Blane to our roster. T.J. has been fine-tuning his training skills over the past six years. His first goal as a trainer is to help you build confidence in your abilities. Blane is equipped with the tools to build a workout plan adaptable to the needs of clients. He additionally has expertise with issues such as hyper-mobile joints, heart conditions, and more. Follow T.J. for tips and inspiration at Facebook and Instagram @trainwithblane 

You can find T.J. at The Pit daily, or make an appointment by calling the gym, or call 812-213-6517.

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