top of page

COACHING STAFf

image_123650291 (16)_edited.jpg

ryan LUKACH

Ryan Lukach is the Owner and Founder of River North Strength.

Before starting RNS in Richmond, VA back in 2018, Ryan was a coach for nearly three years at Strive Village, a private strength and conditioning facility in Chicago founded by his former collegiate strength coach.

After his time in Chicago, Ryan and his wife Christy moved east to Richmond, VA in to live near family & open River North Strength. At that time, Ryan handled all training sessions, new client consultations, and nutrition coaching.

In the winter of 2020, Ryan and his wife relocated to the Saint Louis area and opened the newest (and now only) RNS location in Kirkwood, MO in October 2020. The Richmond location was purchased in 2022 by two top-notch RNS employees and now operates as "804 Strength".

 

Ryan had played five years of NCAA Division I Baseball at the University of Hartford where he was a captain for four years. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford and a CPT from NSCA. He is also a Nutrition Coaching Specialist certified by NCI.

image_123650291 (21)_edited_edited.jpg

Ryan Skiera has been a full-time Strength Coach at RNS since early 2022.

 

Ryan was most recently a grad student and strength & conditioning coach at Lindenwood University. At LU, he had the chance to work with a variety of university sports programs, including tasked with overseeing the programming and coaching of men’s ice hockey, women’s wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming, and assisting with the football program.

Ryan graduated with a master’s degree in health sciences from LU in May of 2022. Prior to his time at Lindenwood, he was a summer strength & conditioning intern for the University of Iowa football team. Ryan played 4 years of college football at Benedictine University (IL) and graduated with a BA in exercise and sports studies.

ryan skiera

image_123650291 (17)_edited.jpg

​Riley Ripper is a full-time Strength Coach at River North Strength.

Prior to re-joining RNS in July of 2024, Riley had left to head up the Strength & Conditioning program at Civic Memorial HS in IL. Riley graduated from Lindenwood University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in strength & conditioning. He recently completed his master’s degree in kinesiology and physical education of coaching at SIUE. 

During his time at Lindenwood, he played 3 years of football. Prior to his time at Lindenwood, he played football at both Minnesota State and Lindenwood Belleville. Riley has additional experience as a strength & conditioning coach at D1 Training as well as with high and junior high programs at Roxana HS in IL.

RILEY RIPPER

image_123650291 (3)_edited_edited.jpg

Riley Zirpel is a full-time Strength & Nutrition coach at River North Strength.

 

Riley joined the team in November of 2024, bringing relevant experience from his previous role at 1st Phorm here in STL as an App Advisor; overseeing client nutrition and training for over 1,200 subsribers on the platform.

 

Riley has a brief background in personal training from his time at Club Fitness, and holds a degree in Exercise Science from Lindenwood University, graduating in 2022. During his time at Lindenwood, he played football for two years and also spent a semester at Coastal Carolina University as a walk-on wide reciever. 

 

Riley has multiple certifications, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Coaching Specialist as well as Personal Training.

RILEY ZIRPEL

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

©2018-2024 by River North Strength LLC 

bottom of page