Petrone Training

By Charlie Petrone

  • Athletic Trainer
  • Wellness Guru
  • Podcast Host
  • Owner Of Woodgym

2850 Ball Camp Byington Rd,
Knoxville, TN 37931

Reach your peak with elite one-on-one training and nutrition from fitness expert Charlie Petrone. Train at his private gym, “The Woodgym,” or through virtual programs that push your limits anywhere!

THE PETRONE METHOD

What sets The Petrone Method apart is the commitment to personalized and private elite training and nutrition tailored for you, whether in the gym or online. With over 30 years of experience, Charles Petrone has been delivering top-notch coaching since 1991, to customize every workout and diet, helping serious athletes achieve greatness anywhere.

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What you want is on the other side of hard > What you want is on the other side of hard > What you want is on the other side of hard > What you want is on the other side of hard >

Petrone Services

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program consulting

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In-Person training & nutrition

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TESTIMONIALS

Luke Hochevar

Luke Hochevar, Former MLB Pitcher & World Series Champ

"What Charlie has created inside the walls of the wood gym goes far beyond just physical training. He is the best trainer I have ever worked with and took my baseball career to another level. His methods work and it is him and his eye for the athlete that separate him from others. But the wood gym is so much more than that. It’s a community of athletes that share a common bond which creates a healthy environment for success. Charlie is a mentor for so many that walk through those doors and he deeply understands that he is not only coaching the athlete but he is coaching the person. This shows by how he cares and loves everyone that enters the wood gym."

Tee Higgins

Tee Higgins, NFL Reciever & Former National Champion

"When I’m working at the Woodgym, I know I’m going there to work my ass off! But will also have fun doing it. Chaz is not only gonna make you work hard, but will for sure make you laugh! "

Jimmy Haslam

Jimmy Haslam, Owner of the Cleveland Browns

"Charles Petrone has the unique ability to get the most out of each individual. He has a wide range of clients from teenagers and college athletes trying to make their starting teams, to athletes getting ready for the NFL Combine and working to be future Hall of Famers to adults just trying to stay in shape. Charles specifically tailors workouts to each client’s needs to get the best results in speed, strength and endurance."

Woodgym with Petrone

This podcast, recorded in his renowned Woodgym, offers a peek into the lives and perspectives of the exceptionally driven individuals that train with Petrone.

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Latest Episode
Latest Episode
October 30, 2024
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  • The guys gather once again in the office (but without the Woodgym's resident Burt Reynolds this time) for part 2 of Charlie's dive into the 10 steps he recommends when cutting away the crap and focusing on what matters!
  • Griff recounts the herculean efforts by locals and volunteers from around the country to coordinate relief in the Appalachian mountains after a cataclysmic storm devastated isolated East TN and NC dwellers. 
  • Charlie is at it again with the meditation, the mountain bike rides, the journaling -- ya'll know what that means it's time for another SOLO DOLO episode of the show! How would you live if you knew you only had a day or a week left? What fades away, and what becomes paramount? Charlie has tips[...]
  • In this solo dolo episode, Charlie tries to define the mindset of a champion, drawing from his 30 years of experience working with elite athletes and successful entrepreneurs. He talks about how the best stay consistent and don't let mistakes (or success) throw them off. Petrone shares practical tips on building mental toughness and staying[...]
  • Charlie addresses the gym and imparts some wisdom from the Woodgym office desk in a short, sweet, solo episode. 
  • Even though Theo Benedet had been to Tennessee before to train at the Woodgym, he wasn't prepared for what was in store the last 7 weeks. For one, Charlie still couldn't say his last name (although they got that sorted, finally). Listen as these two recap some of the hardest training of this dedicated footballer's career,[...]
  • Charlie sits down with Ohio State football commit and Woodgymer Max to discuss his path from Montreal to Tennessee and the continuation of the Canadian Pipeline. 
  • The Canadian football savant is back for a second round of live-in training down south, and he and Charlie have dove into the deep end this time for 7 straight weeks. "Don't surrender to down days" has been a mantra in the gym, and it seems to be an expression that describes the cadence of[...]
  • Charles sits down for a stirring discussion with Dr. Sprouse to talk everything from diet, training, genetics, blood work, and their new favorite pastime -- pickleball! This humble brainiac preaches performance knowledge gained from his time studying emergency and performance medicine (and his own time as a triathlon athlete), as well as his vast experience with[...]
  • Long time Woodgym-er and world-class opera singer Farrar Strum lends his powerful pipes to the show. He shares how he started singing, how he started training with Charlie, and what it's like navigating mental health challenges and repeated affirmations throughout his life and career. 
  • The man, the myth, the legend, The Fort! A true Woodgym OG returns to the show to chop it up with Charlie about the past, the present, and what they are aiming for in 2024. 
  • Charles sits down with a performance peer and partner (and new friend) to hear a real American success story. Eddie Reymond recounts one of the coolest, most winding adventures we've heard on the pod. From Switzerland, to the States, attending college in Knoxville, selling concert tickets and then baseball cards around the country, and finally[...]
  • This is a special one. Strap in and tag along as Charlie and the man, the myth, the Woodgym legend from way back, Brian DeBusk talk early days of Petrone Training. They dig in deep: business, healthcare, technology, Brian’s fascinating education at Vanderbilt and Emory, his current place in education at LMU, oh and they talk[...]
  • Charlie sits down with the former star Austin Peay RB and current pro footballer to get perspective on how athletes have fared through the fallout of the pandemic. They also talk training and what it takes to prepare for pro ball in the off-season. 
  • The Harvard DB and Charles took a break from off-season training to delve into his challenges and growth in Cambridge and the Woodgym after his first two years studying and playing Crimson football. The two talk training and the need for energetic discipline (all about the #vibes) and active focus on self-love in order to perform[...]
  • Another Emory Eagle joins the show as Claire tells Charlie about a fateful fall, how she fit in at the Woodgym, and how she plans to put an exclamation point on her basketball career while looking forward to what awaits after. 
  • Charlie addresses us listeners directly with a 'State of the Woodgym' address and a lesson from the heart. Quit waiting on someone else to change or meet their full potential. 
  • Charlie finally sits down with his childhood pal from Jersey, and they totally pick up where they left off. Rare opportunity to hear from a friend that pre-dates the training and the Woodgym!They get entrepreneurial -- Fautz walks us through his remarkable winding career and leaving a law practice to flourish in real estate. Spoiler:[...]
  • One of the latest live-in Woodgym-ers joins Charlie all the way from Miami, FL.  Listen along as Andres shares his story of finding Charlie and entrusting the Woodgym with his off-season development. Finally, Charlie unpacks some light ailurophobia (fear of cats) for us all. 
  • Jacob sits down and reflects on a grueling pro-day transformation and fine-tuning preparations with Charles and Griff. Find out what brought the ETSU RB from Jasper, TN out to the Woodgym. With over 1300 yds and 15 touchdowns last season, Jacob is a proven asset on offense, and showed up hungry to train and earn[...]
  • Long-time Woodgym-er, footballer, and Richmond Spider Aaron comes on the show to recap his intense pro day prep with Charlie. 
  • Our favorite professor is back and answering all of our nutrition questions! Lee Murphy returns to the pod for a focused talk on how athletes of all ages (or even geeks like our producer, Ben) can fuel up properly for training and performance. 
  • Sasha returns down south with yet another exciting football player from the frigid lands of Canada. The gang catches up, hears about Theo's perspective of the pandemic as an opportunity, and discusses why they believe in their system with Charlie as a way to put their best foot forward as they strive for pro-level performance. 
  • Do you know how to read a food label? Charles sits down with nutrition expert Lee Murphy, a University of Tennessee Distinguished Lecturer specializing in nutrition and public health. They chat about all things  dietary and metabolic in an effort to understand the factors that influence body composition, and things we can do to achieve our goals[...]
  • Charlie brings in yet another og Woodgym-er in Rory Gibbs to talk 7 on 7, the Transfer Portal, and how the accelerated transformation of high school and college sports is affecting the youth who comprose these leagues. 
  • Charles laid down the gauntlet with the conclusion episode of the Woodgym's Mental Toughness series, calling out our youngest athletes and claiming that it's "easier than ever before to be great." Well, folks, in perhaps the quickest and most fortuitous instance of pod feedback to date, it only took a couple days for someone to[...]
  • Beloved VFL and cerebral pro LB Daniel Bituli returns to the Woodgym office for his debut podcast! Listen along with Chaz and the crew for an expedition into the mind of an elite athlete. Daniel plans to launch a digital training platform that transmits honed expert knowledge of sports and situational awareness to young athletes[...]
  • What did the Woodgym learn from our series of deep dives into mental fortitude? Dr. James Choo and Charlie sit down once more at the round table to try and put a final pin in it! 
  • Summer break comes to an end with the Woodgym finally at a cool 86 degrees, so we had to return to podcasting. Couldn’t have asked for a more special guest than an OG Woodgym-er from back in the Homberg days: Nick Evennou. Nick is a born racer and athlete who started training with Charlie at[...]
  • Vinicious "Draculino" Magalhães graces the Woodgym with an extensive collection of insights gleaned throughout an unbelievable career in martial arts.  Learn how dispirate communities of Brazilian surfers and martial artists coalesced in a pivotal moment and changed Jiu Jitsu's evolution.  Finally, hear a definition of mental toughness from a modest but implacable athlete and competitor[...]
  • Chaz, Choo, and the crew continue to explore the topic with Knoxville's resident biking bad*** Kaysee Armstrong.  Kaysee's story is awesome and left us all astounded and inspired. We explore the roles of heredity and childhood in mental toughness, and hear how she transformed adversity and trauma into fuel for her outdoor adventures and stellar[...]
  • Charles and James get to chat once again with ten time World Champion Jiu Jitsu master Sam about mental toughness, whether it's something that can be developed. Finally, they talk about what it's like to train others across a spectrum of disciplines.
  • Charles and Dr. Choo get to work grilling two combat veterans about what led them to pursue military careers. Were they mentally tough when they enlisted? Did their time at Parris Island augment their temperament? Finally, what's it like experiencing combat and dealing with the memory when they're expected to plunge back into civilian life? [...]
  • Charles and James are joined by golf pro Alex Fourie, a guest who literally traversed the world and overcame some of the bleakest conditions imaginable to end up in the US competing in a sport he loves. 
  • James and Charles blast into the second half of the series with an incomparable guest appearance by James Arthur Haslam II, the founder of Pilot Corporation and much more.  
  • Charles and Dr. James Choo pause three episodes in to reflect on what we've learned about the mind, perseverance, and success. Is the Woodgym any closer to defining what mental toughness is?
  • James and Charles welcome Justin Sims, an original Petrone guy, to the show to continue the round table discussion on mental fitness. Can "manufactured" adversity shape someone's mental toughness? What role do positivity and perspective play? 
  • Woodgym favorite Freddie Smith helps expand the dialog on mental toughness. What roles do preparation and determination play in overall fitness? 
  • Chaz, Choo, and the crew are joined by the parent whose question sparked the series. We can describe or picture mental toughness, but can we agree on a definition? Listen as the guys and Joe talk it out!
  • New deep dive series from the Woodgym. What do the words "mental toughness" mean to you? We ask Woodgym veterans what they think. Series premiere coming soon!
  • Charles is joined by world champion boxer turned coach Frank Eppolito, owner of Eppolito Boxing Gym in Knoxville. Choo, Chaz, and Frank talk about training, their influence on the youth they work with, and what sports can reveal about character. 
  • Jets WR Josh Malone takes a short break from training to talk to Chaz with alacrity about working with multiple trainers in different states. He's staying sharp and prepping for yet another NFL season! 
  • Charles sits down for an impromptu talk with Samuel Braga, an athlete that forged his own path to becoming a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and TEN times world champion.
  • Pier-Olivier Lestage sits down in the Woodgym office to review his 2 week training with Charles.
  • What if you're not one of the Woodgym's "Type A" personalities? Charlie and Choo are joined by "Diamond Dave" one year after the Lost Generation series to revisit the pursuit of fitness by the average American.
  • The doctors return as Charlie and Holly have an early morning chat with Dr. Steve Smith and Dr. James Choo
  • Charlie, Dr. Choo, and Ashlyn talk about the phenomenon of overtraining. What are the signs, who is vulnerable, and what are the solutions?
  • Charlie, Holly, and Choo. Chaz gets the old band back together as the weirdest summer break ever comes to a close.
  • 4 of the great Woodgym minds gather in the office once again to zoom out and share a macro-view of the pandemic and protesting. Who is behind it all? What is the endgame?
  • Holly hops on the mic for the first time EVER to talk about toughness with Charles and Dr. Choo.
  • Chaz gives Dr. Choo the lead (and even the intro) on this follow up episode with Dr. Steve.
  • Dr. Steve’s final special episode closes with ethos and food for thought.
  • School of Dr. Steve is back in session as the trio continues their discussion of the pandemic and public health.
  • Charlie and Choo head to school as Dr. Steve Smith, father of our favorite Viking, unleashes a volley of thoughts on the pandemic and public health.
  • The world might seem as though it’s on hold, but here at the Woodgym we are dedicated to improving and podcasting. Petrone and Choo back again to collect their thoughts amidst the chaos.
  • Better late than never! Choo and Charlie got together in the early moments of this pandemic and talked STRESS. They reflect on Charlie’s 2020 NFL Combine training, and ponder effective stress management tactics.
  • Getting this guy on the show says a lot. Charlie’s guy Tee Higgins opens up about his childhood, and talks about living and training with Petrone. Now he looks forward to going pro in the NFL draft. He's a talented young man and a cool cat. 
  • On this episode Charlie gets to sit down with one special dude. He's a Patriot, a Cardinal, a Woodgym guy. It’s been years since Aaron has been back to the Woodgym after training with Petrone for the NFL combine. Now that he’s back, you get to listen to an NFL wide receiver on his personal[...]
  • Don't miss your appointment with the Doctor! Dr. Choo is back with Charlie in 2020 dropping a new episode once a month that delves deeply into health and wellness topics not usually emphasized in the high performance training community. This week he and Charlie talk about SLEEPING. Think grinding means less sleep? Wear your long[...]
  • This episode Charlie gets to sit down with his favorite French Canadian sports agent, Sasha Ghavami. He flew into Knoxville for a few days to check up on his guys and catch up with Petrone. Let him take you through his days and how he started representing NFL and CFL athletes.
  • Woodgym with Petrone kicks off 2020 with a new podcast season. Charles opens with his pro soccer dude, Tyler Gibson. Listen as he takes us through the life of a professional baller…
  • The final episode of the lost generation part 6 comes to an end discussing various topics on health and wellness. Dr James Choo and I cover the art of negotiating nights out, and try debunking truths and myths of weight gain and weight loss. Plus we do a call out to our peeps about staying[...]
  • This time Charlie gets reminded how much he forgets about training. This guy is not normal - he’s Mike McKenry. A former big leaguer tells stories of some of his epic Petrone training sessions and so much more. He is the definition of “grinder.”
  • Part 5 of this special series finds us all preparing for the holidays. How do we fight through what seems like a lack of progess? How do we plan ahead so that we can enjoy the season with family while sticking to our goals? Find out in Part 5 with Dr. James Choo and Petrone.
  • “Take a listen (or view) to this very, very special guest. He’s like a son to me — Bryan White discusses the word “pivotal” and how he uses it in his life from football with the NY Jets to Nascar. Now, the business mogul shares his story in the Woodgym.” ~Charlie
  • Part 4 of Charlie's series with Dr. James Choo is about influence. What influence have the first three episodes had on the guys in the gym? Choo and Petrone dive into the differences between average fitness and Instagram fitness.
  • We finally got our guy back into the Woodgym for the offseason, and it’s a huge offseason for Nicky “The Kid” Delmonico. Listen to the Major Leaguer as he shares his journey with Petrone…it’s real talk.
  • This is the guy that got Charlie into podcasting in the first place! Jesse Smithey tells us how he grew to love athletics and reporting on sports. Now he’s covering sports like never before with Five Star Preps!
  • On this episode of Woodgym with Petrone, Charlie has a special guest. His good friend and and one of the strength coaches for the Cleveland Browns, Evan “Big Man” Marcus. Discover the 3 great things he and Charles have in common, and much more.
  • Part 3 of Charlie's series with Dr. James Choo delves even deeper into their health and wellness analysis, and answers the question, "What does it mean to 'do more'?"
  • Graeme Keys, PT, has worked with Petrone and his athletes for over 20 years. Now he joins the podcast to discuss the intersection of his therapy with Petrone’s training, and how both fields have changed their views on healthy movement since their journey began.
  • He goes by “Big Jim Haslam,” but to Charlie he’s known as “POPS.” Charles has trained him and his family for over 20 years now. Listen to his stories from the oil biz, his amazing health and wellness lifestyle, and some personal fun Charles and Jim have had together.
  • Part two of the 6 part health and wellness series with Dr. James Choo.
  • “Talk about discipline - this woman lives, breathes, and sleeps it. Katya made time in her busy fitness schedule to sit down with me (between meals) to talk about her journey of fitness and health and how competing in fitness competitions keeps her focused on the ultimate prize: health. Enjoy her accent!” ~Charlie
  • Charles sits down with Dr. James Choo to introduce a new 6-part series discussing a health and wellness lifestyle. "This is something we have noticed in both our practices almost nonexistent to the normal non pro athlete... the 40 50 60 70 80 year old American needs to be saved. Dr. Choo and I are[...]
  • “This weeks show is with my dude, fellow Italian Tony Vitello, talking about passion. This kid has it. He’s the University of Tennessee head baseball coach and frequently visits the Woodgym to twist steel and get his dose of PetrONE. After his training session he sat down with me to talk baseball, life, and his[...]
  • This week’s guest is a special young man. From high school to starting college safety at Tulane University, Chase came in to train this winter, and we had to lock him down for a Woodgym podcast. One of the hardest working kids in the Wood…
  • Not too many people know this about Charles, but tennis is one of his favorite sports. “This week in the Woodgym, I got to talk shop with tennis coach, a former client of mine, and like a son to me: Chase Thomas. He absolutely loves the game and it’s apparent that he’s on the rise[...]
  • This week’s guest is truly an amazing guy. Charlie finally got this vagabond to take a few minutes to share his story on how he found the infamous Woodgym and his journey to professional men’s volleyball. If Charlie says a cat is special — he means it!
  • Charlie finally gets his guy from back in college to sit down and let the listeners in on this amazing man’s life and his great stories from playing 12 yrs in the NFL. Bruce navigates us through his journey from childhood to the NFL, then to adjusting life after pro football.
  • Two one-of-a-kind indiviudals and together they comprise the FIRST Woodgym MMA couple! Listen to two unique individuals as they share their journey to each other, the Woodgym, and finally, their places in the octagon.
  • Charlie's main man and his H2O guy. Carey is taking a huge leap of faith in developing his own bottled water company, Planet H2O! Listen to his story: from first discovering this amazing water deep underground to now competing with international beverage companies for shelf space.
  • After a lost episode and technical difficulties, Charlie finally brings you CJ Prosise, running back for the Seattle Seahawks! Hear about his multi-sport upbringing and how his mental game affects the physical. Finally, get an inside look at his SEVEN years working with Charlie.
  • Today’s episode sees another incredible guest: Professional sand volleyball player Brittany Hochevar. She sat down with Charlie to discuss world travel and what it’s like living a professiona life 24/7.
  • A resurrected episode! We almost lost the audio, but Papa Hoch himself settled into the office at the Woodgym a few weeks back to chat with Charles about his children and the Hochevar athletic journey. We knew we couldn’t toss this one! Charles delves into their journeys with Jesus and, as always, what makes Brian,[...]
  • “My man Cody McCoy stops in to the show while in town for a short visit. He now resides in Detroit. A former Petrone athlete, he still holds the fastest 40 yard dash when he was in high school. He takes us through his journey running track at the Citadel and his transition to life[...]
  • JP played for years in the MLB, and currently works as a studio analyst for Fox Sports. Hear about his beginnings and deep dive into training with Charlie, as well as his mindset (and its influence on his life) as an athlete and individual.
  • Today, Charlie got to have a few minutes with the busiest man we know, Jimmy Haslam III. He’s our close friend, and a client of over 20 years! He takes Charlie through running Pilot Flying J Travel Centers as well as the NFL Clevelan Browns. Get ready: its a serious Q&A!
  • Charlie's friend and client of over 20 years, Freddie Smith, finally comes on the podcast. Freddie is an Olympic athlete, an elite mountain biker and road cyclist. If an object has two wheels and pedals, this man can spin it on dirt and pavement. Listen to the stories of his incredible races in the United[...]
  • Knoxville natives won't require an intro for this guy. Josh Dobbs, star quarterback for the UT Volunteers, now playing for the Steelers, sits down with Charlie to reflect on his early career and what made a difference in his journey to the NFL.
  • Charlie had a small window of time to get the 8 time all American tennis player (now professional) to sit down and just catch up on his journey from when they met while he was in college. Charlie started to train and mentor him, and now he’s a full fledged pro on the tennis circuit[...]
  • Emily returns to discuss the Titan Games at greater length, and shares a peek into her plans for the future.
  • Listen to NFL all-pro safety for the Minnesota Vikings, Harrison Smith, take you through his journey to the NFL. The story begins with meeting Charles Petrone, and soon delves into what made Harrison different as he strives to fulfill his potential as a player and an individual.
  • Petrone discusses the ups and downs of playing a sport at the highest level with professional soccer player Tyler Gibson.
  • Luke Anthony Hochevar played college baseball at the University of Tennessee, and Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Now we finally have this Woodgym native on the podcast!
  • Canadian football players Matt & Alex share their Woodgym stories and plans for the future.
  • Dr. James Choo is a prolific athlete at the Woodgym, a longtime friend of Charlie’s, and a mountain climber who has scaled all 7 peaks!
  • Petrone welcomes Army Ranger and Woodgym native Reece Staley
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