Staff, Affiliates & Members
Founder & Bandit Instructor
Bill Urban is Founder of Workout Bandits™. He has been training in Martial Arts since the late 70's and was awarded his Black Belt in 1982. From 1982 until November of 2015 he was a Kickboxing Instructor at the Professional Karate Studio in Blaine, MN. In November he left the studio to open his own Fitness Facility providing Functional Movement Training. Workout Bandits™ is offered exclusively through 365Trainer™.
Head Bandit Instructor
Jason Krantz, aka Hammer, is the Head Instructor at Workout Bandits™. Jason earned his Black Belt in August 2011, and began as instructor at the Karate studio. Since then, Jason has earned his way to receiving his 4th Degree Black Belt in August of 2019. Jason continues as one of the head instructors at the Professional Karate Studio in Champlin, MN, along with private lessons to help develop basic and advanced student skills in a one-on-one environment. Jason began with the Workout Bandit™ beta phase and now brings his years of martial arts, instructing, and fitness abilities to teach the Bandit community.
Assistant Bandit Instructor
Shari Urban is co-founder of Workout Bandits™ and is involved with the day-to-day operations of WB. Shari was instrumental in the Beta-Bandit testing group that led to the successful launch of the 'From Start...To Fitness!' program in November of 2015, after nearly 3 years of arduous research and development. She is currently studying to earn her Personal Trainer Certification through the International Sports Sciences Association which is recognized as the world's leader in fitness education. In addition to her valuable R&D insight, Shari also brings a wealth of knowledge of business operations to Workout Bandits™ ensuring its ongoing success.
Bandit Instructor
Sandy Kropacek is one of our Workout Bandits™ trainers. She earned her Black Belt in August of 2011 and trained her way back from ACL surgery to earn her 2nd Degree Black Belt in May of 2014. Sandy also teaches Karate where the kids call her "Mrs. K" ('Kropacek' is difficult for them to pronounce!) Sandy has been with Workout Bandits™ from the time the WB concept was first scribbled on a notepad. In fact, she had already been involved in much of the "raw" development of the WB routines for several years! Sandy focuses on assisting our Members with their body mechanics and provides guidance in exercise modifiers which helps each Member to workout at a level that is challenging while helping them reach and exceed their fitness expectations.
Nutrition Response Testing & Bandit Instructor
Catherine Krantz is owner of Holistic Family Health Center and a Nutrition Response Practitioner, Black Belt & Trainer. Nutrition Response Testing is a non-invasive system of analyzing the body to determine the underlying causes of ill or non-optimum health. This system may be quite different from any other healing practice that you may have experienced. The analysis is done through testing the body’s own neurological reflexes and acupuncture points. Once the analysis is complete Catherine will help you to determine the exact nutrients you need to supplement your diet, in order to bring about balance and better health. This designed clinical nutrition has given patients improved overall health.
Testimonials
No excuses are good enough to stop you from reaching your fitness and health goals!
If you are male or female, between the ages of 7 to 75, are physically mobile, can tie your own shoes, reach above your head, and do not require a physical aid to walk or stand, then you should be engaged in functional movement training! First, make the mental commitment to obtain the physical results you deserve, and need, to live longer. Second, find a qualified Fitness facility like Workout Bandits™ and get started. A year from now you will wish you had!
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Read what a few of our Members have to say about Workout Bandits™...
The most fun you can have getting in shape ~ PERIOD!
"There is nothing quite like a Bandit workout routine! Not only does it work your whole body, the time flies by and you have a blast! The most fun you can have getting in shape ~ PERIOD! Not only am I stronger but I am gaining flexibility. I am also able to execute techniques that I didn't think were possible. I feel WB was customized specifically for me!”
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~ David
“I love that the classes are quick and builds strength without the usual soreness that comes from starting a new workout! Workout Bandits provides guidance and as a result less chance for injury. I feel like I have my own personal trainer. I also love the workouts and with so much variety you are consistently being challenged. I look forward to what will come next!”
~ Sandy
I feel like I have my own personal trainer.
The best fitness experience I have had thus far! Thank you Bandits!
"I am new to Bandits, just finishing my boot camp but WOW! I LOVE what they have to offer, excellent personalized training, modification help if need be, friendly, fun and great group routines to boot! Bandits takes you at your level and works with you to help you fit into the program, instead of being a nameless face in a group fitness class. I have an overall good level of fitness but the classes are working my body in ways that I haven't found in most fitness classes. It is stretching, strength and cardio all in one! The best fitness experience I have had thus far! Thank you Bandits!"
~ Nora
“Although I maintain regular chiropractic care, my Doctors told me I needed to strengthen my core if I wanted to feel better. I tried joining a gym but with no direction I didn’t know what I was doing nor did I feel any benefit from the exercise routines I participated in at the facility. Then I was introduced by a friend and coworker to the Workout Bandits program. Within a couple of weeks I cancelled my membership at the gym and began taking in every minute of this new training. In a relatively short period of time, my body has been noticeably transforming where I am getting toned, defined and clearly stronger. Workout Bandits has taught me the correct stretching and body positioning techniques which allows me to workout at a higher level of intensity without the risk of injury from doing them incorrectly. I love how quick the routines are! What I really love about it, it doesn’t feel like “work.” It is fun, fast, and focused. I am forever grateful for Workout Bandit program and their team of knowledgeable trainers who are all willing to go out of their way to help me on a personal level to become 'my' best.”
~ Kristina
I am forever grateful for the Workout Bandit program & their team of knowledgeable trainers...
You don't make excuses when you want to go to a Workout Bandits class!
"I'm so grateful for Workout Bandits! As my strength, balance and flexibility improve, life gets easier. I have more energy for everyday tasks and energy to spare for fun! Classes are fun and focused so I actually want to start or end my days with a Bandit workout. You don't make excuses when you want to go to a Workout Bandits class! It's like a big happy family and each member gets the care and attention needed to be successful! I feel like I have my own cheering squad encouraging me to give that EXTRA 2%...at Workout Bandits and in life!"
~ Michelle
“I was referred to Workout Bandits by a friend; a quick look at the website gave me the impression that it was all about MMA/karate/kickboxing–not for me. But after talking with the lead Bandit, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did! Yes, the workouts do incorporate martial arts training techniques, but there is so much more. Each fast-paced full-body workout includes a wide variety of exercises, and every day is different. Within just a few sessions I felt noticeable changes in my attitude, strength and overall fitness. I love the one-on-one attention that insures each exercise is challenging yet executed safely within my current ability, and the variety of targeted, intense sessions that can be done daily without mental or physical burnout. Plus, the Bandits are flat-out fun! This is a workout plan that I can really stick with…and continue to experience great results."
~ Kathy
Within just a few sessions I felt noticeable changes in my attitude, strength and overall fitness.
There are so many workouts offered that it doesn't matter what day I come, I will always get a full body workout.
"Before I started Workout Bandits I didn't think I'd like the 'punching and kicking.' Ha! Was I wrong! It turns out that I LOVE it! There are so many workouts offered that it doesn't matter what day I come, I will always get a full body workout. The trainers are great and care about each Bandit and that they are doing things correctly. They make you feel like family! I can feel my body getting stronger and everyday tasks getting easier. After my first workout, I knew that if I showed up, I would succeed! I think the same would be true for you too!"
~ Karen
“The classes are unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere, even in the large clubs. Over the years, the classes have remained consistent in terms of intensity and challenge, yet the variety of exercises keeps my body guessing. This helps to avoid the ‘fitness plateaus’ that I’ve encountered. Plus the classes are really fun! Since first starting I’ve noticed a huge increase in flexibility and strength that I couldn’t obtain just simply by running or lifting weights. WB puts a premium on stretching before, during and after the class and that has helped my range of motion immensely. The class also incorporates many core exercises, and that has done wonders for my personal ab and weight lifting routines. The one-on-one instruction during the class is always helpful to ensure that my technique is correct.The best part about the program is anyone, at any fitness level, can find benefit. Weight loss, core strengthening, increasing endurance, just plain sweating and burning calories, it’s all there!
~ Justin
...huge increase in flexibility and strength...
Workout Bandits has been a lifesaver for me!
“I started training with Workout Bandits 2 years after having major back surgery. Before surgery I was running half marathons and earned my Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. After surgery I was extremely frustrated, every program I tried increased my back pain and I would have to stop. Workout Bandits has been a lifesaver for me! I have greatly increased my flexibility, strength, and endurance. When I started working out I could not bend to touch the floor or do many of the exercises without pain. My flexibility is returning and I am now capable of doing many of the exercises such as pull-ups, that I have never been able to do in the past. The workouts have also helped me increase my core strength to support my back and help with the pain I live with on a daily basis. We have been able to modify many movements to make them back friendly but still very effective. The workouts are intense but short so it is not overwhelming to my body and easy to fit into my busy schedule. I now enjoy working out again and really miss it if I can't make a workout."
~ Catherine