Spencer Roberts brings over four decades of expertise as an exercise physiologist, multi-sport training coach, and personal trainer to his role as a strength coach at Smith Performance Center. His journey began as a Master Fitness Trainer in the US Army, where he honed his skills in physical training and leadership. After his military service, Spencer deepened his knowledge by earning a master’s degree in Fitness and Cardiac Rehab from the University of Arizona, focusing on both the physiological and psychological aspects of fitness.

Spencer believes effective communication is the key to successful coaching. His philosophy revolves around understanding each client’s unique goals and circumstances to craft programs that align with their lives. 

As he puts it: “You need to marry what the person wants with what the person needs, while shaping the programming around their life. 

You cannot just eat, sleep, and train. 

If you do not consider the outside world, the program you follow will not work.”

This holistic approach ensures lasting results without sacrificing balance, and it integrates seamlessly with Smith Performance Center’s Phase System, where Spencer leads Performance Training for runners, cyclists, and triathletes aiming to achieve their best. By considering each person’s lifestyle, he helps clients make meaningful progress while avoiding burnout and injury.

Spencer’s deep understanding of exercise physiology allows him to create effective, sustainable programs. He believes many athletes—whether competitive or amateur—“overreach in single workouts and underperform in the long term” by not considering the entire training stimulus. His expertise ensures clients optimize their performance over time, not just in isolated sessions.

In addition to his technical skills, Spencer’s knowledge of exercise psychology makes him particularly adept at helping clients overcome mental barriers. He understands the motivation and consistency challenges many face and works closely with clients to conquer them. His supportive and empowering approach not only helps clients achieve their fitness goals but also fosters a lasting commitment to their health. 

For Spencer, it is not about perfection. As Spencer will tell his clients ‘if you can hit 80% of what I tell you to do, you are going to be successful.’

Whether you’re stepping into the gym for the first time, aiming to hit a personal record, or looking to maintain functional movement as you age, Spencer has the experience and insight to help you achieve your goals.