Zach Gilmer, MS, CSCS

Coach Gilmer brings extensive experience working with high school and collegiate athletes since 2018 with experience training clients since 2010.  Zach is coming off a successful campaign as Director of Strength and Conditioning for the University of South Carolina Aiken (2021-2023). During his time the Softball program broke the school homerun record twice, the Baseball program finished 3rd in the conference and won 15 more games than the previous season, the Women’s Basketball Team saw their first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade, and the Men’s Basketball Program finished the 22-23 season as Peach Conference regular season champions and made a sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Zach was awarded the 2023 USC Aiken Athletics Staff Member of The Year for his work in the Sports Performance Department.

Zach brings passion and experience working with elite athletes from all the major sports, youth sports, elite members of every branch of the military service, local law enforcement and firefighters.

Zach grew up on a farm outside Charlottesville Virginia. He has always enjoyed sports and other challenging outdoor activities. He grew up playing music and was fortunate enough to have played music on the road professionally. As he got older, he realized how interconnected seemingly unconnected things are. He realized that getting good at a sport or being strong in a squat wasn’t that different from learning guitar chords or banjo roll patterns. It all required a willingness to learn, proper posture, proper patterns, hard work, and consistency. He has always been fascinated by this and he hopes to open other people’s minds to how much they’re capable of with the right guidance. He takes a holistic approach to performance both inside and outside the weight room. It is his mission to educate and empower every individual he works with to unlock their full potential as human beings. 

Professional Experience

Director of Strength and Conditioning for the University of South Carolina Aiken (2021-2023)

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Graduate Assistantship with Henry Barrera and Liberty Men’s Basketball (2020)

Graduate Internship with Chris Kerr and Liberty Men’s and Women’s D1 Club Hockey (2019)

Personal Trainer at USC Aiken Wellness Center (2017-2019)

Education

Master of Science in Human Performance, Liberty University

Exercise Science (B.S.), University of South Carolina Aiken