Empowering Everyday People Through Functional Fitness
At Kanna Fitness, we believe in empowering everyday people to discover their potential through functional fitness. Guided by our core values—Learn, Work Hard, and Have Fun—we strive to make fitness an enjoyable and accessible part of life for all ages and skill levels. Our members often tell us that Kanna Fitness is the longest they’ve stuck with a routine, thanks to our supportive community and personalized approach. Whether you’re just starting out or rediscovering your fitness journey, we’re here to help you succeed.
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Trusted Coaches Committed to Your Success
Our dedicated team of coaches brings a wealth of experience and passion to Kanna Fitness. Every coach holds at least a CrossFit certification, with some achieving Level 3 status. From personalized coaching to specialty programs like postpartum fitness led by a certified doula, our staff is committed to helping you achieve your goals. Known for their genuine care and encouragement, our coaches are everyday people who understand the challenges and triumphs of fitness, making them relatable and approachable guides on your journey.
Steph Vincent
General Manager and Coach
After struggling with her weight for most of her life (at one point over 400 lbs), Steph took the leap and joined a gym in 2009 and hasn’t looked back. She soon became certified and started coaching both adults and kids, plus running a non-profit program for at-risk youth. Steph believes that fitness is all about being fit for life no matter your age or abilities. Whether it’s working with kids or adults, her goal is to guide people to become the best version of themselves. Besides coaching, Steph enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids, four step kids, and three grandkids and is highly involved with local community efforts for positive change and social justice through the Black Lives Matter movement.
Coaching Experiences
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (2019)
CrossFit Certified Trainer- CCFT CF-L3 (2015-2018)
CrossFit Judges Course (2019)
CrossFit Specialty Course- Gymnastics (2019)
CrossFit Specialty Course- Mobility (2014)
CrossFit Specialty Course- Rowing/Erg (2018)
CrossFit Kids Trainer Course (2011)
USA Weightlifting Level 2 (2019)
USA Weightlifting- LWC Referee (2015)
Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid
Lam Nguyen
Coach
Lam grew up in New Jersey playing soccer, tennis, volleyball, and running track. He continues to be fairly active throughout his adult life with soccer and tennis leagues. Lam was never a regular in the weight room because it always bored him to lift by himself. In November of 2011, Lam’s wife, Becca, asked him to try functional fitness with her. She had been raving for months about it and even tried to get him to watch the Games with her in which he responded with an eye roll. He reluctantly attended the intro sessions and was finally educated enough to attend his first class. Something clicked after that first workout. It hurt so bad and he couldn’t do ANY of the moves, but nevertheless he was completely hooked. He wanted to be good at functional fitness and he was absolutely terrible at it. Fast forward a few years and now he’s a completely different person both mentally and physically. He’s been able to take the knowledge he’s learned from coaches and other members to improve his physical composition and performance. He understands how valuable the functional fitness community can be to encourage people to be their best and he is eager to take part in creating one at Kanna. Since starting fitness, Lam became the father of two beautiful children and is dedicated to keeping himself in shape so that he can keep up with them. One of his goals is to spread awareness within the parenting community that it is possible to make time to stay in shape when life gets busy. He and Becca continue to work and encourage parents to stay fit so that they can enjoy a long and active life with their children.
Coaching Experiences
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
Mike Hackenberg
Coach
Coach Hack enjoyed long distance biking for a few years, but needed something more effective and social. He started CrossFit in 2017 right after Kanna opened, obtained his CF-L1 in 2018, began coaching in 2019, and recently earned his CF-L2. One of his favorite parts about coaching is watching new members start to feel better and get stronger. An item on his bucket list is to swim with sharks.
Coaching Experience
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
Karl Colasante
Coach
Karl’s been a member at Kanna Fitness since six months after it opened in 2018. After years of ‘donating’ to L.A. Fitness (a great facility, but just not the right fit for Karl), he was still looking for something to maintain and improve his health and fitness that he’d actually be excited about and look forward to doing vs. feeling obligated to go because he was paying for it.
He found Kanna Fitness by chance given its proximity to his church in Ambler (First Presbyterian). While he was instantly excited about how varied, challenging and accessible the workouts were (thanks to great coaches!), he was even more blown away by the incredibly welcoming, supportive and diverse community. The workouts continue to be amazing to this day – but there’s a clear reason why nearly everyone says the most meaningful and impactful part of Kanna Fitness is our incredible community!
Karl is a consulting partner with PwC and travels most weeks for his client work. When not on the road, he’s a regular in our classes. In early 2022, Karl completed his CrossFit Level 1 training and began coaching in early summer. In August 2023, Karl continued his coaching development and journey by completing the CrossFit Level 2 training.
Coaching Experience
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, CF-L2
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
The Gymnastics Course
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
Matt Curtis
Coach
Matt’s journey to coaching all started in 2017 when he Googled, “CrossFit Gyms near me” and found the information for Kanna. He was thrilled to find a functional fitness gym so close to home and one that was just starting out. Matt showed up for his first workout with Kanna, The Manion WOD, and never looked back. He was welcomed with open arms into the gym community and watched as Kanna helped him become a stronger, more resilient version of himself. Matt felt so strongly about the benefits of functional fitness that he became certified to coach in the fall of 2021. Coaching has brought Matt a great deal of joy and he loves seeing members gain confidence. Along with coaching, Matt competes in CrossFit and lifting competitions with his favorite partner, Stew.
Matt is forever thankful for the energy and focus that Kanna helps bring him because he sure needs it as a dad of three children. Luckily for Matt, his whole family enjoys spending time at the gym – his wife regularly attends group classes and his kids have all spent time snoozing through class as babies before graduating to Preschool and Kid’s Classes with Coach Steph & Coach Brie.
Coaching Experience
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, CF-L1
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
Marla Pachler
Coach and Nutrition
Brie Darragh
Youth Coach
Coach Brie has a constantly varied background in sports and athletic endeavors – ranging from being a D1 athlete to half-marathoner to rower to kayak guide to golfer to strong(wo)man competitor – so it was only natural she landed at Kanna as first a member and now a youth coach. The diverse and accessible workouts at Kanna let her be prepared for whatever she has planned next!
Brie aims to have the youth program classes at Kanna be challenging, doable, and fun for a wide range of ages and abilities, and loves figuring out new ways to work hard while having a blast. Her favorite WOD in the youth program is build-your-own obstacle course day!
When not at Kanna, Brie works in financial operations and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), grows her own fruits and veggies, and loves all things cats. She is the Secretary of the board of Kanna for All to help bring fitness to youth who need it within our community.
Brie has completed the CrossFit Kids program and is currently studying for her National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer certification.
Coaching Experience
CrossFit Kids course
Meg MacDonald
Coach
bio coming soon!
Chris Lampitoc
Coach
bio coming soon!
Cheri Wissmann
Coach & Client Success Manager
What happens when a life-long athlete who loves to learn and play alllll the sports finds her way into a gym that teaches her the basics of functional strength training? It’s a perfect match! In 2009, Cheri took her enthusiasm for functional training and began coaching adults, later going on to expand her education to working with kids and teens, and to coaching Olympic weightlifting and barbell lifts.
In 2013, Cheri took her body through its most transformative athletic endeavor yet – pursuing fitness and movement during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. She came out of that experience knowing she needed to know more, both as an athlete and a coach. She enrolled in several specialty courses and was certified as a Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach in 2017.
Cheri’s experiences with birth and early parenting also inspired her to pursue education as a doula and parent educator. She now holds multiple certifications from ProDoula, including Postpartum & Infant Care Doula, Labor Doula and Infant Feeding Specialist. She is also involved in perinatal mental health advocacy, specifically as a person with lived experience of perinatal psychosis.
Cheri loves working with all kinds of athletes, but her biggest motivation comes from being who she herself needed as a new parent. She is excited to bring specialized support for new parents and for athletes experiencing core & pelvic health challenges to the Kanna community.
Coaching Experiences
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Kids
CrossFit Gymnastics
USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
USA Track & Field Level 1 Coach
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
Body Positive Fitness Alliance Affiliated Professional
Original Strength Pressing RESET, Pro RESET
Postnatal Fitness Specialist
The Female Athlete Course with Antony Lo
Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certified Coach
Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Certified
Our founder
Chris Plentus, CF-L3
Chris started working out while in grad school for counseling. Working as a school counselor and also a functional fitness coach part-time, he realized he loved helping people, but wanted to do it in the gym setting. After a decade of coaching and refining his skills, he opened Kanna Fitness as a place for everyday people to get in the best shape of their lives. Chris believes the best way to do this is by surrounding yourself with positive people who are willing to learn, work hard, and have fun!
Coaching Experiences
Two-Brain Business Certified Mentor
CrossFit Level 1
CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Level 3 Certified Trainer
USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
CrossFit Kids
CrossFit Football
CrossFit Gymnastics
CrossFit Anatomy
BIRTHFIT Prenatal/Postpartum Coach
Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Level 1
CrossFit Scaling Course
Whole 9 Nutrition Seminar – Dallas and Melissa Hartwig
Paleo Solution Seminar – Robb Wolf
Olympic Lifting Clinic – Olympian Natalie Burgener
Paleo FX Conference
Affiliate Solution Seminar with Tye Arnett
Kilgore Academy – Business Concepts for the Gym 2012
CrossFit Regionals 2012 Team Member
Our Facility
Our spacious 5,500-square-foot facility in Ambler Yards is designed to inspire and challenge you. Divided into two main areas, our gym can host group classes and personal training sessions simultaneously. We provide a welcoming environment for adults, teens, and kids, with specialized zones for different activities. Our open and functional layout ensures a comfortable and productive workout experience for everyone.
Premium Equipment to Elevate Your Workouts
At Kanna Fitness, we provide top-tier equipment to support your fitness journey. From Concept2 rowers, bikes, and ski erg machines to high-quality weights and racks, our gear is built to last and enhance your performance. During your sessions, you’ll have access to everything you need for a safe and effective workout, tailored to your fitness level and goals.