Meet your Trainers: Craig Guthrie

Raised a mariner’s son in Nova Scotia, Craig Guthrie has coached Olympic class sailing since 1999 – traveling all around the world in the process, from Canada to Australia, Europe and China.

In Nova Scotia, Guthrie played an important role in establishing sailing programs for youth in his community, coordinating with local yacht clubs to send young athletes to North American and world championships, and eventually the Olympics.

By providing athletes with perspectives on boat and sail designs, boat handling and racing tactics, his guidance and mastery of the sport won Canada its first ever gold medal in sailing during the Beijing games in 2008.

When asked exactly what ‘tactics’ meant in the context of sailing, he proceeded to expertly draw a diagram of a the racetrack including wind direction, tidal and weather predictions and shoreline references and their influences on a sailor's’ decisions. He explained how variation in all those factors dictate what actions sailors make during a race, and that preparation is incumbent on success.

Despite there being a less than robust local sailing scene, Guthrie is in North Bend to provide his preparation and process-based approach to anyone interested in having a trainer who is willing to go the extra steps to ensure maximum performance gains in the gym.

“I’ve never called myself a personal trainer,” Guthrie said, “to be a ‘coach’ is as all-encompassing word. To be a COACH, says more about the person administering the program.”

He added that in his eyes, a coach is more involved than simply demonstrating form and offering advice. While a trainer might count reps and rack weights, a coach needs to perform at a high level to gather data, communicate effectively and to apply specific tools necessary to achieve success.  

At Mt Si Sports + Fitness, Guthrie specializes in kettlebell training, corrective exercise and powerlifting.  Coach Guthrie said unlike dumbbells and other traditional free weights, kettlebells and clubbells challenge muscles with a more practical form of training.

Their shape and size and the moves performed with them help prepare for tasks people actually complete in their everyday lives, such as holding a baby or moving furniture. The exercises he teaches with the kettlebell train one’s entire body, improving balance and core strength as well as developing power and strength in the larger muscle groups.