Dedicated Professionals
Our team brings together experienced, qualified professionals who are not only experts in their fields but also devoted advocates of strength and well-being, leading our welcoming, supportive community of members.
Ciara Girvan BA (Hons), AdvDip.
General Manager
Ciara is a Business graduate from Ulster University with a background in management and customer service across the retail and leisure sectors. Those years built the organisational skills that now keep HENCH running smoothly behind the scenes – the systems, standards and small details most members never have to think about.
She’s helped shape HENCH for almost a decade, working alongside the team to build a place where members and staff feel looked after. Day to day, she’s the lynchpin who keeps things ticking so the coaching stays the focus – and she’s as committed as anyone to the mission, and the culture that comes with it.
Bronagh Donnelly BSc (Hons)
Senior Strength Coach
Bronagh holds a Sport & Exercise Science degree and is a qualified Olympic Weightlifting coach, with various sports-related courses and over a decade of coaching behind her. Growing up, she dealt with body shaming, a difficult relationship with food, and overtraining — experiences that led her to work out what balanced nutrition, strength and a healthy body image actually look like.
That’s shaped how she coaches: training that builds strength and confidence from the inside out. She’s especially interested in women’s health and the carry-over of strength and balance work — the way consistent training improves mobility, stability and self-esteem in ways that last well beyond the gym.
Joseph McGreevy BSc (Hons), MSc, CSCS.
Senior Strength Coach
Joe is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA, holds a Masters in Strength and Conditioning from Ulster University, and has recently been accepted onto a Sport & Exercise Science PhD programme. His background includes coaching Rugby, Gaelic, and Netball teams, alongside practical expertise in Powerlifting and Hypertrophy/Bodybuilding training. A former Football and Gaelic player, Joe discovered a deep interest in strength work and its underlying science, prompting him to change career paths after originally studying and working in Computer Science.
His approach to coaching is grounded in research yet remains accessible, aiming to make every session both productive and engaging. By working closely with the other HENCH coaches, Joe ensures our members benefit from well-rounded, scientifically backed training programmes. His hands-on experience and academic foundation enrich our team and drive better outcomes for everyone.
John Watson BSc (Hons), MSc
Senior Strength Coach
John earned a BSc in Strength & Conditioning and an MSc at Loughborough – the UK’s leading sports-science university. His coaching spans professional rugby with Worcester Warriors, private strength-coaching gyms, and community youth programmes, giving him a flexible, person-centred style that suits first-timers and seasoned athletes alike.
His coaching is evidence-based and built on the fundamentals: quality programming and technical coaching, habits that hold up outside the gym, and steady long-term progress. He takes the time to understand where each member is starting from and what they’re working toward, and adjusts the training to match – so sessions stay productive without losing the things that keep people coming back.
Rory Girvan BSc (Hons), AdvDip. PN
Lead Strength Coach
Rory’s background is in Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Management Practice, with qualifications in Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching and over 25 years in the field. He began in applied exercise physiology and strength & conditioning in elite sport, and has coached at HENCH for a decade — taking day-one lifters to lifelong goals, some of whom went on to set personal and national records, become national champions, and deadlift 300kg+ on the platform.
Today he shapes HENCH’s coaching practice and direction, and writes as the Fitness Columnist for The Irish News. His work extends beyond the gym through past roles as an ambassador with Inspire and TAMHI, and founding the “33 ‘Til Infinity” campaign. He has been open about his own mental-health challenges and a fitness journey that led him into competitive sport – representing Ireland at multiple world championships as their #1 Powerlifter, with Best Overall Lifter trophies at the NI, All-Ireland and Irish IPF championships, a silver at the WDFPF Worlds, an NI Weightlifting title, and national MMA wins at lightweight and welterweight.
Join Us
Careers at HENCH
A journey that began in 2012, we have helped thousands of people fall in love with strength training by considering the pursuit as something to learn, master and enjoy for a lifetime. We’ve expanded, innovated, and now stand as one of the fastest-growing and most renowned strength coaching gyms in the UK and Ireland.
Pursue your career as part of a team of like-minded, ambitious, fun, curious, professional and down-to-earth people who are as passionate about the ability for strength training to change lives as you are.
WE’RE ON A MISSION…
To find those who see strength training as having a deeper purpose in people’s lives! While HENCH is scaling up and on the lookout for:
- Strength Coach
- Junior Strength Coach
We’re searching for those who resonate with our core values and purpose.
What makes a HENCH team member?
Role Modelling: Talking the talk and walking the walk.
Beginner’s Mind: Leaving the ego at the door to clear the path to continually learn and grow.
Strive for Excellence: Seeking the best tools, knowledge, or skills to do the best work with our members.
Professionalism: Going the extra mile, and holding the standard whilst remaining down-to-earth.
Craic: When your passion, purpose and career are aligned what else is there to do but enjoy the ride?
Our mission: To help each individual we work with become stronger for life.
If you believe in our purpose and embody our values —submit your application below.