Our Story

 

From the corner of a crossfit gym to Tyner Street

Miyamoto Musashi, known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke, or by his Buddhist name Niten Dōraku was a famous Japanese samurai and author of “The Book of Five Rings”. His text is derived from classical Buddhist Five Element theory and can be applied to life and battle. Leadership, Training, Technique, Strategy, and Mindset are examples of values that bleed into our gym.

The birthplace of Five Rings Strength and Conditioning began in the corner of a Crossfit gym in uptown Charlotte, NC. With growing members, we quickly outgrew our space and opened our own facility in NoDa. After over year of running a successful business, we experienced a pain that most know all too well. The Coronavirus impacted our ability to keep our doors open which led us to pursue other means to stay alive. Our members borrowed equipment to take home with them through the pandemic while the world remained closed. Once we were allowed to open again, we encountered hurdles that proved to be arduous yet necessary. With these chapters behind us, we are able to move into a new era.

The rebirth of Five Rings Strength and Conditioning will provide our community the ability to build strength in a supportive, creative, and team focused environment. Five Rings has always been dedicated to giving individuals an opportunity to express themselves in any way they see fit. While we are an Olympic Weightlifing centered gym, we have a facility to support Strongman, Body Building, Crossfit, and General Strength & Conditioning. Reach out to us if you have any interest in joining

Leadership

  • Rusty Davis

    Rusty Davis played team sports from a young age and throughout high school, to where he unknowingly found a passion in team cohesiveness in the face of immense struggle. He carried this passion throughout his 9 year military career, pushing his fellow troops to be the best they could be physically, which subsequently increased their mental fortitude and camaraderie. Rusty brings these experiences to life in our space and helps to ensure all go about their struggles, gym-wise, or general life obstacles. Rusty brings a serious, yet lighthearted coaching style.

  • Benjamin Riddle

    Benjamin Riddle is the founder, co-owner, and head coach of Five Rings Strength & Conditioning and Five Rings Weightlifting. He is a nationally recognized coach with 7+ years in coaching weightlifting. Ben is a lifelong athlete, having competed in various sports throughout his career up to current day including (and also not limited to) Soccer, Basketball, Martial Arts, CrossFit, and Weightlifting. He has produced athletes that compete on many levels, from local, to national, and international meets. Ben is also a former United States Marine and served three combat tours overseas during the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict in the infantry. Ben's vast knowledge over many fields brings a robust level of understanding, mixology, and imaginative athletic implementations to help guide our community, build athletes, and help each member reach their goals. In his spare time you may find him training, building various contraptions, playing disc golf, or spending time with friends and his trusty and notorious canines, Maple and LuLu.

  • Jak Kieffer

    Jak Kieffer has always been focused on the technical side of things. From rebuilding motorcycles to implementing our very own 24-hour system at Five Rings Strength & Conditioning. This attention to technique can be seen on the platform as well as his coaching style. As a founding member of Five Rings Strength & Conditioning he has seen the team grow into the tight knit community that exists today. Outside the gym you can find Jak on the disc golf course, riding one of his motorcycles, or whipping up some mean breakfast potatoes.