MEET THE TRAINERS
ADAM FERCHEN
CEO of Elite Fitness & Personal Training
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
Strength & Conditioning Coach
My name is Adam Ferchen and I have been working in the fitness industry for over the last ten years. I graduated from Niagara Wheatfield Senior High in 2009 and went on to study business at Daemen College. In my time at Niagara Wheatfield I excelled in Varsity Football and Track & Field; sprinting being the event I competed in. In 2005, at the age of 14, I was hired to work the desk and clean the facility at a local gym. In 2011 I got my personal training certification through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and have been working with clients ever since!
My fitness journey started with high school football but then transitioned over into Powerlifting and Bodybuilding. I competed in my first powerlifitng competition at age 15 where I set a 497LB national deadlift record in the 165lb weight class. I have been competing in powerlifting ever since then and have competed in over 50 powerlifting events. In 2015 I launched my online personal training services to powerlifting competitors and since then have had great results with anyone I have taken on! I was ranked 9th in the country in 2015 for my 1,785LB total in the 198lb weight class; 2016 ranked 2nd in the country with an 1,819LB total in the 198lb weight class; And 2017 ranked 3rd in the country for an 1,923LB Raw total in the 220LB weight class - these are my biggest accomplishments in this sport yet. To date my best competition lifts include a 738LB Squat, 475LB Bench Press, and a 771LB Deadlift.
I trained and dieted for the first bodybuilding show I ever did at age 19 in 2010, the NPC MR. Buffalo. This was much different than I was used to coming from a powerlifting background, It was more of a challenge for me. That is what made it fun though; this was a sport that literally took over my life for 12 weeks with grueling cardio sessions and training sessions running on zero energy, but at the end of it all it was 100% worth it. I ended up winning the teenage lightweight class and going on to win the Overall Teenage Mr. Buffalo title. I compete in bodybuilding again in 2013, and 2014. Right now my plan is to compete in bodybuilding again sometime in the future, just no set date yet!
Although I am still a competitive athlete my priorities are now with my clients and helping them reach their goals whether that be competing in any competitive sport or just shedding some excess body fat. This is something I am very passionate about and will do everything I can in my power to help people have a healthy and positive experience with this lifestyle.
Steve Decker
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
Strength & Conditioning Coach
My name is Steve Decker, and I am a personal trainer and strength coach. I have been exercising seriously and training for a variety of competitive goals since college and first got my AFAA certification in 2008. In 2009 I competed in my first bodybuilding show, and subsequently competed 5 additional times, always placing in the top 3 in my class, and have trained figure athletes to competitive success along the way. I have since moved away from bodybuilding to pursue competitive powerlifting. I have competed a number of times in both raw and multiply powerlifting meets since 2013, and coached a number of athletes to class victories, state, national, and world/international records, and hold a few records of my own in various categories.
I have always held firm to the belief that one can NEVER be "too strong" and that building various degrees of strength is the foundation of a successful training program. This may or may not mean pushing the boundaries of limit strength, but there is nobody on earth who would not benefit from getting and staying strong, whether that means a world record squat, or simply the ability to get up off of the couch to move around the house easier. With the acquisition of physical strength comes a certain addition of mental strength, which is critical to achieving one's goals!
I enjoy working with all types of clients and have found a great deal of success and satisfaction training everyone from youth athletes, to busy mothers looking to improve their body composition, to competitive powerlifters, to elderly clientele who are looking to better their health and stay fit to keep enjoying life to its fullest! My passion is helping people meet their own goals, and celebrating their successes no matter how big or how small, no matter what their goal may be. Success is individual, and the greatest part of my role as a trainer is getting to see people grow as individuals as they gain strength and confidence along the way. Personal connections lead to success, and I am truly invested in seeing YOU reach your goals. Training isn't always about numbers on a barbell or a scale, it's about improving your life!