About Us

Our Mission

At CrossFit Variance Plus, our goal is to grow a community of friends progressing together toward both short- and long-term health and personal goals.  We aim to maintain a safe, fun, family-friendly environment of ongoing learning, achievement, excitement and support! Most importantly we want to foster a fitness culture that makes healthy lifestyle change an anticipated and well-celebrated norm.

Meet Our Coaches

Anthony Ciampa

Anthony Ciampa

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Favorite Type of Workout

Chipper with a barbell

Fun Fact

I’m working on getting a branding and design agency up and running, and I have neat handwriting.

Why I love this community

It’s a friendly and encouraging place to forget about everyday stress and responsibility. It’s like you found a way to freeze time for one hour a day.

Why I love coaching

Helping people stay functional with everyday movements, watching them build confidence and hit lifts that they never thought they could. But even better is watching someone hit a PR.

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Anthony Ciampa

Coach

Lia Whitehair

Lia Whitehair

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Beverly MA

Favorite Type of Workout

“The girls” workouts, primarily FRAN. I also enjoy partner workouts.

Fun Fact

I got into CrossFit through competitive soccer where I played on 3 national teams for 5 years.

Why I love this community

Although we all have different goals, we celebrate others’ PRs and accomplishments together. ‍

Why I love coaching

Coaching has given me the opportunity to learn more about CrossFit from a new perspective, and get involved in my community. Through the years the best feeling has been watching athletes achieve their goals, whether it’s through nutrition, physical fitness, or life in general

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Lia Whitehair

Coach

Shawn Bresnahan

Shawn Bresnahan

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Beverly, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

One with built-in rest

Fun Fact

Outside the gym, I am also a Carpenter, EMT, and will be attending the Massachusetts Fire Academy in the spring to fulfill my dream of being a firefighter.

Why I love this community

This community has given me a group of friends and family that I can look up to, learn from, and grow with.

Why I love coaching

Coaching allows me to be a part of the best hour of people’s day. I really enjoy helping people do things they never thought they could before. The smile on their face afterwards makes it all worthwhile.

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Shawn Bresnahan

Coach

Zach Kemmer

Zach Kemmer

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Beverly, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

EMOMs and workouts with heavy barbell paird with cardio

Fun Fact

I was on the Crew team all four years of college and I am an avid Star Wars, Marvel, and space nerd.

Why I love this community

The CrossFit community is an amazing place. The friendships I’ve gained are some of the best I have and the support from anyone and everyone working out next to you is unmatched. ‍

Why I love coaching

 I was drawn to be a coach after seeing the positive difference that the coaches in my life had made for me. I enjoy the opportunity to help others become the best versions of themselves - whether that’s achieving a fitness goal or lending a kind word.‍

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Zach Kemmer

Coach

Ally Concetti

Ally Concetti

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Framingham, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

Anything with sprint intervals

Fun Fact

I am currently in graduate school for my Masters in Athletic Training.‍

Why I love this community

This community has brought me some of the most caring, hardworking, best people I know.

Why I love coaching

One of the best feelings ever is knowing you helped to make someone's day just a tiny bit better. Seeing people walk out of here feeling accomplished, important, and strong is the best. I also love being able to connect with people, and learn about their lives outside of these 4 walls.

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Ally Concetti

Coach

Chris DeWolfe

Chris DeWolfe

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Gloucester, Ma

Favorite Type of Workout

30 min grinds with any type of running

Fun Fact

I enjoy playing tennis, pickleball and any Spartan or Tough mudder races. Looking to do the Blackburn Challenge again someday.

Why I love this community

I love the people and the fact that we all come from different backgrounds and we are able to connect through CrossFit and outside of the gym as well. I like helping them achieve their goals.‍

Why I love coaching

I have been coaching CrossFit for 13 years and I also coached high school baseball for 12 years, and I enjoy helping people to grow as athletes and as individuals. I love watching their reactions when they have accomplished a goal.

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Chris DeWolfe

Coach

Carlos Ferreira

Carlos Ferreira

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Lawrence, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

’m a big fan of short “all gas no brake” types of AMRAPs, but can easily be convinced to do any volume-filled EMOM of any sort.

Fun Fact

#1 Drake fan, Michael Jackson-connoisseur

Why I love this community

I came into this community right after high school, during some tough times. No matter the day or time I came in I got to leave outside struggles at the door and enter the world of strength and commitment that is this community. I’m grateful for it and it has made me a better person.

Why I love coaching

Encouraging others to pursue and maintain a healthy way of living is one thing, but when I get to ensure that each person in a class makes the most of their fitness potential whilst presenting them with techniques/strategies to attack a particular workout or movement it is unlike any other feeling.

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Carlos Ferreira

Coach

Alex Bowers

Alex Bowers

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

London, England

Favorite Type of Workout

Anything with an assualt bike

Fun Fact

I represented Great Britain in ultimate Frisbee before taking up CrossFit‍

Why I love this community

It’s an opportunity to connect with people I wouldn’t otherwise see in daily life, smile, and know we have a common interest and support group.‍

Why I love coaching

It’s a small way to give back something to others, just being there to provide support, encouragement, guidance, motivation for a fitness activity that I’ve done myself and struggled with the challenge of getting through varied and often intimidating movements.

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Alex Bowers

Coach

Miguel Martinez

Miguel Martinez

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Lynn, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

10 minute AMRAP

Fun Fact

I currently serve in the Washington D.C. Army National Guard. ‍

Why I love this community

I love this community because it welcomed me with open arms and has become a place where I can forget about the outside world and just enjoy a good WOD. ‍

Why I love coaching

I love coaching because it allows me to help people improve every time they come into the gym. I think the best feeling is someone trying something they did not think they could do and completing it.‍

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Miguel Martinez

Coach

Thomas Huynh

Thomas Huynh

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Malden, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

EMOM

Fun Fact

I enjoy golfing, snowboarding, and biking.‍

Why I love this community

People are kind, supportive, and hardworking. It is a diverse group of people with different goals and experiences which make each class unique and welcoming for anyone who wants to join.

Why I love coaching

 I love coaching and helping others achieve their goals. Also, I love being able to share everything I have learned through my own experience with CrossFit through the years with others so that it can help them achieve their goals.‍

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Thomas Huynh

Coach

Sam Gifford

Sam Gifford

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Marblehead, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

Anything heavy

Fun Fact

I am bad at coming up with fun facts.

Why I love this community

Outside of the gym I work as a Real Estate Agent, but also love to spend time with family and friends, socializing and playing golf and ice hockey.‍

Why I love coaching

There is nothing better than seeing someone reach their goals, and all of the daily coaching is what will help them achieve those goals.

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Sam Gifford

Coach

Katie Flanagan

Katie Flanagan

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

South Hamilton, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

Chipper

Fun Fact

I worked at Disney World when I was in college.‍

Why I love this community

Everyone is always welcome and accepting of both new and old members. No matter what class you show up for, there will be someone there to welcome you and cheer you on!‍

Why I love coaching

I love helping athletes reach and exceed their goals (especially moms!). Coming back to CrossFit after having children can be one of the most challenging things for a mom (yet so VERY important to not only her physical health BUT her mental health and well being. Helping these women understand the importance of filling up their own cup first is HUGE! My favorite moment in coaching is when an athlete amazes themselves. The look on their face, the shine in their eyes, the small giggle, the large yell. WHOOP! WHOOP! I’ll always be your biggest cheerleader!

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Katie Flanagan

Coach

Jason Larocque

Jason Larocque

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Wenham, MA

Favorite Type of Workout

Anything with bar facing burpees and usually a partner workout.

Fun Fact

I was the Major League level bullpen catcher for the Boston Red Sox for two years. I wore # 88.

Why I love this community

I learned how to take care of myself and set goals by being a part of this community. I also started to invest in friendships for the first time.

Why I love coaching

Helping someone learn something new or approach a challenge through a different lens.

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Jason Larocque

Coach

Andrew Gruden

Andrew Gruden

Coach

Trainer Bio

Hometown

Wheaton, IL

Favorite Type of Workout

Anything with squat cleans or push-ups

Fun Fact

Before coaching CrossFit, I’ve held jobs as a Whitewater Rafting, Backpacking and Rock Climbing Guide, a Starbucks Barista and a Vocal Soloist. ‍

Why I love this community

I am an Elementary / Middle School, Special Education Teacher. I currently teach P.E. full time, but have also taught Math, Reading / Spelling, and Computer Skills. The rest of my days are mostly spent soaking up as much time as I can get with my wife and our 10-month-old twins!

Why I love coaching

When I first started CrossFit, my coaches helped me see that I was capable of so much more than I ever realized. I love being able to help facilitate that same process for others.

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Andrew Gruden

Coach

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