Introducing the CrossFit Torque Team
Meet the fitness experts ready to help you achieve your fitness goals and your potential.
Our Founder
Amanda Chace
Amanda started CrossFit in March 2010 after months of encouragement from her family. Three months later she was hooked. By December 2010, CrossFit Torque was born.
In the very beginning, Amanda and her brother Richard grew CrossFit Torque from a 600 sq. ft. facility to what #TorqueNation is today, a CrossFit affiliate without boundaries. The whole family are to thank for the success of Torque: Parents Don & Nancy, and Sister Christine.
Currently, Amanda and her wife Sara co-own CrossFit Torque.
Amanda’s two years at Reebok International Ltd working on the Sports Marketing Team with CrossFit affiliates globally, allowed her to grow and build a better CrossFit Torque.
Amanda takes pride in coaching the adult CrossFit, Kids & Teen classes, and loves taking new clients through private training and on-ramp classes. She finds true happiness coaching the 55+ ForeverFit members. Helping those on their paths towards healthier and happier lives is Amanda’s true calling.
Every day for the last 10 years Amanda’s passion has revolved around the members at CrossFit Torque.
Our Professional Coaches
Coach Meridien
Background: I've always enjoyed working with kids and have a degree in early childhood education. After working in preschools, I am now a nanny for two awesome boys.
CrossFit history: I’ve been at CFT since March 2012! Though I did a few years of gymnastics when I was younger, I was never much of an athlete and nor did I wish to be. CrossFit has changed my view on fitness and now I’m a complete addict. I’ve even participated in a few competitions since joining – didn’t see that one coming!
Favorite Workout: Annie
Favorite Movement: Power cleans, double-unders, kettlebell swings
Favorite Pandora station: Rob Zombie radio m/
Most Memorable Moment at CFT: Making so many great friends here has been one of the best things about being at Torque!
Coach Sara
Head of Personal Training & CrossFit Coach
Background: I started "the gym life" in my early 20's, bouncing back and forth between a hardcore 5 times a week gym rat to the "fallen hard off the wagon" type of person. I would go hard at the globo gyms then just lose my motivation and discipline. During all of that I was in construction, and in my 20's still, so, thinking my body was invincible, never really took care of myself physically or nutritionally. At my heaviest I was over 200lbs. That all changed with an emergency back surgery just after I turned 30.
Once I recovered from that, I found the world of CrossFit. It began at another CrossFit box, but,a, new job at UPS and a move brought me to this area, and to CrossFit Torque. So, after 8 years of juggling my life as a UPS driver, I made the decision for myself and my family to resign from UPS, and join the Torque community as a full time coach. It has been an incredible transition, and the Torque community welcomed me and my newfound position with open arms. Talk about an improvement in work/life balance and workplace environment!! I am coming up on my 9th year as a crossfitter, and am truly where I should be. Being able to be at Torque with Amanda, and now our 3 year old Ember (who is always watching), has been truly life changing.
Favorite Workout:
Karen for sure.
Favorite CF related movement:
It used to be the squat snatch, but recently a new found love for the basic bodyweight movements, pull ups, push ups, burpees. They are truly the best because, if you’re going fast enough, they can leave you on the floor panting with no equipment at all. I am a big believer that true success with any movement, whether it be barbell or bodyweight, comes from a solid commitment to strength and accessory work in order to further strengthen the foundation and movement patterns needed to be safe and successful with all things.
Favorite Spotify Station:
I’ve always been a huge fan of any sort of the BPM’s, Skrillex-based, something with not a ton of lyrics. But, on the other side of that, throw me some hard core Britney Spears, NSYNC or early 2000’s pop and I’m down for that too.
Most memorable moment at CFT:
The first time I walked into CFT when they were in their old space next door. It was during the Open, and I can distinctly remember the feeling and the energy that was there. I knew that it was where I needed to be.
COACH Tori
Tori joined us back in April and has taken coaching by the reins by not only adding Personal Training to her schedule, but also ForeverFit and Kids classes; you might even see her with the Teens soon!
Tori has been in the fitness world for a long time, and one of the unique offerings Tori has is her Trigger Point certification. This means she is able to help our members who struggle with mobility restrictions by utilizing the foam rollers and lacrosse balls.
Tori's schedule is open for personal training if you're looking to add some 1on1 focus into your life!
COACH Morgan
Morgan Barnes joins us for the summer here at Torque!
She is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and online coach. She currently specializes in strength and conditioning, weight loss, and powerlifting.
Morgan personally competes in the Powerlifting world and would love to work with some of you this summer! Her personal training schedule will be opening up next week, and keep an eye out for an 8 Week Power Lifting Session starting in July!
She is heading into year 2 of a 6 year Masters in Physical Therapy program at Springfield College this Fall so will be with us all Summer!
Nutrition Coach Ashley
I am very excited to take on a new role as Nutrition Coach. I have been in the nursing field for over 20 years. I currently work as a nurse practitioner at UMass Memorial in Worcester taking care of patients with advanced heart failure. Having witnessed the incredible impact of the holistic approach to well being I was inspired to take a nutrition coaching course to help others reach their health goals.
I originally joined Torque back in November 2013 and due to kids/school/life left for a little bit of time. I couldn’t stay away and re-joined CFT in February of 2023. I practiced CrossFit style workouts in my home gym, but nothing compares to group classes with this community; I am thrilled to be back. You can usually catch me taking the 5am or 9:30 am group classes. I love to chat about food, workouts and kids. I look forward to working with the CFT community to provide 1:1 nutrition consultations, group workshops and tailored nutrition plans.
