Meet Our Coaches!
Click/Tap Their Picture to Learn More
Coach Sharon Dilts
NASM-CPT, USAW2, USAPL, Pn1
Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach
Personal Best Lifts:
Squat: 195 lbs
Bench Press: 100 lbs
Deadlift: 221 lbs
Snatch: 110 lbs /50 kgs
Clean+Jerk: 143 lbs/65kgs
Sharon Dilts is a full time middle school history teacher who began her second career as a CPT in 2018. She dabbled in running while attending the University of Delaware, but shortly after recognized the need to incorporate strength training into her routine. She began working with a trainer at her local gym to properly learn how to perform the various movement patterns, and soon after fell in love with strength training. Always a learner, Sharon decided to enhance her knowledge of the gym by obtaining her personal training certification in 2018. Once she obtained her certification she began working at CentraState Fitness and Wellness, training a wide population of clients ranging from those with special needs, general population, and competitive powerlifters. This allowed for Sharon to combine her love of teaching with her love for fitness and health.
After Sharon began working at the gym she began working with her colleague, Mach 1 Barbell’s very own, Coach Patrick to learn the fundamentals of Olympic Weightlifting. While she had already loved strength training, she loved training the Olympic movements even more because it made her simultaneously feel strong and athletic. She has since gone on to obtain her USAW Level 2 certification in addition to her USAPL certification and has coached athletes in both Olympic Weightlifting and Powerlifting.
Growing up in a household with an Italian mother, Sharon also had a passion for cooking and baking at an early age. Once she started training she recognized the need to fuel her performance and the importance of a balanced diet. A short while later she completed her Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification, and has since worked with several nutrition clients. She emphasizes the importance of “not dieting” and instead creating lasting change through sustainable habits and creating nutritious recipes that are equally delicious.
Sharon’s goals are to help people through education whether be through learning the foundations of movement patterns, creating sound habits, or learning easy ways to track macronutrients.
Coach Bobby O'Conner
Exercise Science Student
Personal Trainer and Powerlifting Coach
Personal Best Lifts:
Squat: 585 lbs
Bench Press: 315 lbs
Deadlift: 620 lbs
Bobby attends Rutgers University - New Brunswick and is studying to get a B.S. in Exercise Science. The clubs he has taken part of at Rutgers include the Zeta Psi fraternity and Rutgers Powerlifting. Outside of the gym, Bobby enjoys playing video games, hanging with friends and attending overpriced concerts.
Bobby’s fitness journey starts around the age of 13. At this age, Bobby discovered that he had Hypothyroidism, his doctor told him to take more serious thought in exercise and sports in order to help with his autoimmune disease. Bobby began playing lacrosse around this time and found a love for the sport. After high school Bobby found that training in the gym was more enjoyable than lacrosse so he began taking an interest in bodybuilding. Primarily lifting and exercising to help his Hypothyroidism, Bobby immersed himself in the gym culture and decided to seek out the lifting fraternity once he got to Rutgers (Zeta Psi). After a few years he started to develop into an experienced lifter and decided to take lifting a step further.
Bobby pursued his love for the gym and had the opportunity to start his career with an internship at Reach Your Potential Training (RYPT) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, during May - August of 2022 learning under Bobby Smith and Jake Ruch. Previously being an athlete of RYPT, Bobby enjoyed his summer internship and found a love for strength & conditioning. Deciding to branch out and explore more paths, Bobby acquired an internship in Physical Therapy from August - December 2023 from Tri-Pro Physical Therapy in Edison, New Jersey. From May 2024 - December 2024 Bobby also worked as an aide at Eastpointe Integrated Healthcare in their Physical Therapy department. In January of 2025 Bobby began working at Mach 1 Barbell to continue his journey as a Strength & Conditioning coach as well as a powerlifting coach!
In May 2023, Bobby started his powerlifting journey with Mach 1 Barbell under Coach Jason. He soon joined the Rutgers Powerlifting Club as well and met amazing lifters and friends within the club. In December 2023 Bobby placed 3rd in the 110 kg class at the USAPL New Jersey State Collegiate Championship, which qualified him for the 2024 Collegiate Nationals in Atlanta Georgia - placing 27th out of 80 lifters in the 110kg class. In November 2024 Bobby placed 1st in the 110 kg class at the USAPL New Jersey Iron Gobbler.
His love for the sport and coaching blended and now he looks to help others succeed in their powerlifting journey as well as their overall fitness goals!
