v2 - Robert Santana | PhD, RD, CSCS

Coaching Expertise:

Hypertrophy / Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting, Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, Body Composition, Beginners, Intermediate Athletes, Advanced Athletes, General Fitness Enthusiasts, Post-Injury Recovery Clients

Coaching Style: 

• Intense and Assertive (Pushes clients hard to maximize results.)
• Goal-oriented (Focused on achieving specific, measurable outcomes.) 
• Client-centered (Prioritizes the client’s goals, preferences, and feedback.), 
• Practical and Realistic (Balances ambition with achievable goals for long-term success.)

Qualifications: 

• PhD
• RD
• SSC

Hobbies and Interests: 

• Hiking, 
• Dog Training, 
• Collecting whiskey

Why Choose Robert: 

Robert Santana is a Registered Dietitian and Strength Coach and owner of Weights & Plates Gym in the Greater Phoenix area. For the past two decades, Robert has developed and refined his knowledge, skills, and experiences through both higher education and practical experience. Robert earned both a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a Master of Science in Kinesiology at Western Illinois University. His quest for knowledge and a deeper understanding of the scientific process led him to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing & Health Innovation at Arizona State University.

He has extensive experience as a strength coach, nutrition coach, researcher, teacher, and competitor. He built upon his foundational knowledge by providing effective nutrition coaching in conjunction with teaching and coaching the barbell lifts through the application of the Starting Strength model of performing barbell exercises to help clients move safely while getting stronger and building muscle. As a firm believer that one must experience that which he or she is coaching, he has served as his own “guinea pig” experimenting with various diets, training programs, and has competed in the sports of Strengthlifting, Powerlifting, and Olympic Weightlifting. His key goal has always been to continuously build muscle, while minimizing fat gain, in a functional and sustainable way. Integrating elements of all the various lifting approaches has enabled him to help clients achieve their body composition goals while becoming more functional human beings.