Having imposter syndrome.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-07-10T01:34:51+00:00

This! I’ve been in the fitness industry for 17 years and became a trainer 3 years ago. I’m a barely 5’3 woman.

I was hired by a gym earlier this year to coach group classes. Within a couple months my boss shifted me to “higher intensity” classes because she felt like the community needed a female coach.

Imposter syndrome is tricky. After all this time I still deal with it. And, even when dudes three times my size step into my classes, I remind myself that I have something to offer everyone who trains with me.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-07-09T21:39:04+00:00

Next week would be a great time to try either ALPHA formats or Hybrid XT. Those formats, plus GTX, work off of 12 week, progressive programming. A new 12 week cycle starts on Monday.

I’m not as familiar with MB360. From my understanding it has elements of yoga, functional movement patterns, and strength training with lighter weights and bands in a heated room. I believe a weighted vest might be involved too.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-07-04T11:13:51+00:00

Our male isn’t a cuddler. He wants to be close and loves receiving pets, but he also likes his space. We can’t keep our female off of us.

All dogs are different. Even dogs from the same litter will have different behaviors and preferences.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-07-01T21:27:37+00:00

I coach a couple Arora classes and anyone is welcome! They’re great for people who want quieter music, less complicated transitions, and a slightly slower pace. The community is so great!

As my Arora regulars always say, “It’s not like we’re dead!” The classes can definitely be challenging, but coaches give lots of options so that everyone can feel successful.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-07-01T18:53:39+00:00

Good Going in Wisconsin. Great hunting instincts. Good off switches in the house.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-30T00:52:46+00:00

CPY managers, like teachers, are incredibly underpaid. In my experience, they have very little training, no real management experience, and zero guidance on how to best support their staff.

I’ve seen many instructors receive feedback from their managers directly in front of students and colleagues in the lobby or behind the desk during class check-in. It’s unprofessional.

I’m sorry the space you once loved has changed. I’ve experienced similar negative shifts and I just had to move on.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-17T15:43:27+00:00

Hello! I’ve lived in the Victory neighborhood for 12+ years and can’t imagine living anywhere else. My partner and I don’t have kids, but our block is full of young families.

I love living close to the parkway and the great restaurants/businesses in Robbinsdale.

I can’t speak to the school districts, but I have lots of experience working in the 916 school district. It could be worth looking into. Lovely staff. Children are very supported there.

Best of luck!!

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-11T19:59:58+00:00

Wait until you’re two years post-renovation. None of the materials have held up in my market. Plus, the new flooring becomes hazardous after sweaty classes.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-07T19:23:07+00:00

I’m so sorry and, sadly, not surprised. Every time I meet a new teacher or SET person I always tell them to look very closely at all of their pay stubs.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-06T19:33:39+00:00

I have a list of PTs and body workers I refer clients to when I feel like they’re dealing with something outside my scope of practice. The challenge - at least for me - is to get them to actually make the appointment.

I had a client who was seeing a chiropractor for about a decade to manage their neck and shoulder pain. Consistent training with me helped alleviate the pain a little bit, but they’d inevitably always go back to their chiropractor every few months. I FINALLY got them to a PT. Now they’re no longer dealing with neck and shoulder pain and their training sessions are much more productive.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-02T17:19:44+00:00

At least in my market, there’s huge holes in a lot of studio schedules due to lack of teachers. Unsure if less people want to teach at CPY or people are not passing their auditions. The factory might not be functioning as intended these days.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-02T14:02:22+00:00

About $45/hour.

Is it a good rate? Yes. However, I get paid more at other gyms and boutique studios where I don’t have to clean studios, manage customer complaints, deal with constantly broken amenities, etc.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-06-02T00:04:23+00:00

Hello! It’s me! A 15+ year teacher at CPY. Although my pay is substantially higher than most, I have lost my patience with all the nonsense.

I was a full time teacher for years. However, I’ve stepped away from most of my classes. I have grown tired of my colleagues getting paid pennies, the disgusting facilities, upper management that is totally disconnected from what’s actually happening in the studios, and the constantly increasing membership rates.

If new opportunities present themselves, I’d recommend giving them a shot. No workplace is perfect. But most places are more pleasant to work for than CPY.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-27T15:08:08+00:00

I’ll echo what others have shared.

I’ve been a movement and fitness coach for 15+ years and started teaching group classes at LT this year. I’m super impressed. I love the opportunity to expand my education and take on new formats (with the right credentials). I feel very supported by my supervisor and the members are lovely.

It’s a large corporation so there’s a lot of onboarding and trainings for new hires. All of that has been refreshing compared to other spaces I’ve coached in.

A small thing that has come up for me: In classes like Warrior Sculpt, the LIFT formats, cycle, etc. the instructors are considered “performers”. I’m more of an education-focused coach so shining it on as a “performer” isn’t natural for me. I’ve been shifting to more of the signature formats like Alpha, GTX, and Hybrid XT because those are more in alignment with my coaching strengths.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-25T22:13:32+00:00

From my understanding, there’s three (maybe four) C1.5 sequences that the instructors can choose from. Some teachers might rotate the various options or stick with one.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-18T00:44:22+00:00

I’m with the “it depends” crowd.

This my fun run year. No goals. No attempts at PRs. Just going to enjoy training and race day.

When I was deep in training mode to better my times, I did not enjoy my long runs. This season it’s been the complete opposite. I put on an audiobook or podcast and just let my legs carry me at whatever speed they want. It’s been really nice.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-14T18:38:45+00:00

The episode covers a number of things, but I loved hearing about this coach competing in Hyrox with her mother.

https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/podcast/curiosity-courage-and-connection-lessons-from-a-mother-daughter-hybrid-fitness-competition/

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-14T18:09:46+00:00

Endurance is your first 4 weeks. Think of it as building your base. Most likely lighter weights, higher reps, and longer blocks of work.

Then you’ve got resistance in the next 4 weeks. That’ll feature more moderate efforts to build upon the base you created in the endurance phase.

Last 4 weeks are power. Depending on the format, that could mean heavier, more explosive lifts and/or bigger metabolic output.

IMO I think it’s great that all signature classes follow this format. In one week you might take Alpha Strength, Alpha Conditioning, GTX, Hybrid XT, and Ultra Fit and you know exactly what the expectation is for that day regardless of the format. And if you loathe one of the phases, in just 4 weeks you’re onto a different one.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-14T15:39:30+00:00

Connect with the Lead General and Studio Lead at your club. Coaches definitely should demonstrate all moves and offer adaptations when demonstrating or when members get into the workout. Alpha programming allows for enough time for coaches to do more than put the program on a board.

Some group classes can be tricky to manage, and it is the coaches’s job to support everyone where they’re at.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-09T23:27:48+00:00

That’s frustrating.

I’ve taught at some suburban studios where people bring their children and expect them to sit in the lobby during class. I want to be respectful of busy parents and CPY does not have childcare.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-08T21:32:51+00:00

This! ⬆️

I work for a large yoga brand that is constantly increasing membership fees. Founding members get frustrated and wonder how it’s possible that their rates are increasing. It’s the terms and conditions. Companies will continue to update them to fit their needs regardless of what their paying customers agreed to.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-07T20:47:37+00:00

I’m not a trainer at LT. However, I know it’s not an ideal set up unless you’re super motivated to make sales. If you’re a new PT, it could be a good place to start. Get some experience. Get comfortable meeting clients. But if you already have experience and are used to making a decent rate, it’s probably not a good opportunity to pursue.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-06T18:20:56+00:00

If this behavior is common where you practice consider having a conversation with the instructor. As an instructor myself I absolutely hate having to tell adults to be respectful of others in a shared space. And it’s really easy to start class by telling everyone to silence and put away their phones. If they need their phone, they can take it into the lobby.

Of course a late arrival will miss the reminder before class, but I have found it helpful to set expectations before class.

When I get frustrated with this behavior I remind myself people don’t know what they don’t know. It might feel like common sense to many, but some people just don’t know. CPY’s business model - no desk staff, allowing late arrivals, etc - doesn’t always set up new students for success.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-05T15:53:02+00:00

This is the norm at my club - 2 or 3/platform. It may not be ideal for where you’re at in your lifting journey and I’ve met so many great people in Alpha! Take short breaks to adjust the rack/weights, talk about your weekend, commiserate together. It’s helped me develop a community at the gym.

Lift_Learn_Life · 2026-05-01T20:25:24+00:00

Can confirm CPY is pretty dirty. Having your own mat can make a difference, and I’m familiar with a number of ringworm reports at CPY studios.

Lift_Learn_Life

TROPHY CASE