I felt that my review of Lift-STL would be incomplete without a little backstory. Prior to joining Lift, I spent months on end crying in the parking lot after every workout (at a different gym,) largely because I felt stuck and helpless with my fitness journey. I was temporarily paralyzed from a rather severe herniated disc and was discouraged from movements since I was 16 years old. It scarred me and made me afraid of working out, given that I often walked out of gyms with more injuries than strength.
Fast forward, I met with Trent at Lift and began sharing my multitudes of concerns regarding training and expressed that I needed some reassurance. After a thorough evaluation, we set our training plans in motion and I have not looked back ever since. It has been 10 months since I joined Lift and I could not be happier and prouder. Here's my well-marinated thought and review of Lift-STL, broken down in 4 essential criteria (in 4C's!) for someone who might find this useful:
Competence -- Every trainer at Lift is knowledgeable and extremely generous in offering insights. There is no short cuts to how they train their clients. They also practice what they preach. Trent makes informed decisions with my training menu and has always been very intentional in what he incorporates into my training menu. For someone who has had traumatic experience with movements, knowing the why and how is crucial to me.
Community -- When I'm not there, they notice it. When I make progress, they make it known to me. It's nice when you not only feel seen but also celebrated as a member of the gym. It has truly become my second home away from home (I'm a STL transplant and have moved across countries and cities). Lift is honestly one of the biggest reasons why I do not want to relocate to another state. This gym is top notch and by far my favorite (I've been a member of probably 10 gyms).
Cost-efficiency -- This has been a concern for me in the past when I was first introduced to Lift. Having had bad experiences with both high and low end gym membership costs, I wasn't sure if the service was worth the money. I WAS WRONG. This is by far the most I have gotten out of my investment; the facility and equipments simply make sense and are conducive to a serious training regimen, and I've been steadily making progress both in strength and muscle gain. In the long term, this has saved me money and time. HIGH YIELD.
Culture -- Their passion for fitness and their love for the community is so, so evident across social media, daily engagements, and grander initiatives like the Transformation Challenge. It creates an echo chamber for individuals who strive to be better every day and having the resource to do so. They meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.
Final thought: Don't you think it sucks to fail at what you love? That was me a year ago. I loved lifting but I couldn't grow further on my own. Lift-STL helped me become who I want to be by offering their resources, expertise, and support so that I'm no longer alone in my quest for...
Read moreHands down the best gym in St. Louis. Convenient, central location for people that need a gym that is easily accessible to their life, it’s 15 min from anywhere in St. Louis.
But that’s not the most important part. The attention to detail while selecting equipment for this gym was unprecedented in the area. There is equipment in here most gym goers have never seen or been able to use before outside of professional athletic training facilities.
AND the equipment isn’t even the most important part...The personal training and attention to detail and programming put in by the training staff at Lift is above all the best thing. If you are looking for results, any results...lose weight, gain muscle, increase overall life health, highschool/college/professional athletic training this is why you need to check Lift out. These are real trainers that provide specific plans and workouts tailored to you, not some $9.99 cookie cutter program from Instagram.
The owner Eric Humes is present daily and invested in what he has put together at Lift. Try something homegrown and local with a lot of care and attention to detail...you won’t be...
Read moreI can’t praise Lift-STL enough! From the moment you walk in, everyone is incredibly welcoming and friendly. The owner, Eric, stands out for his kindness to everyone who walks through the doors. He perfectly embodies the gym’s mission statement and has a unique ability to connect with everyone in a genuine way.
I also want to highlight one of the trainers, Nick. He is fantastic to work with, always fun and encouraging. Nick allows me to take my time but knows exactly how to push me to be my best. His sense of humor makes every session enjoyable.
The overall culture at Lift STL is amazing. You won’t find another gym with such great prices and such high-quality people and equipment. Highly...
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