Uplift Fitness — Local services in Seattle

I had a much different experience than the other reviewers here, but I think it is important that it is conveyed as it demonstrates a complete failure to address an individual clients needs and to tailor a work-out session to them (which seems the fundamental purpose of a personal trainer).

When I reached out to Uplift, I noted that I wanted someone to take me gently through exercises to build up slowly. I noted that I tend to have muscles that react adversely when pushed too hard with new exercises.

They assigned me to a trainer, and I met with her yesterday. I told her "pretend I'm a 70 year old man. I need to be eased into anything and to take it slow." Most of the session was talking, but the last 15 minutes she took me through host of very complex and dynamic exercises and then concluded by having me do slow squats with weight for 3 sets. When I left my quads were totally shot. To the point that I could barely bike home. My legs kept buckling when I walked. I had to take Tylenol because they hurt so bad.

I walked in there feeling good and happy; biking and walking and enjoying my life. One day later, I'm too sore and tweaked to walk down the block without pain. This was a failure of both the organization and the trainer. They demonstrated absolutely no ability to titrate or organize a workout to an individual's actual needs. I'd recommend people go elsewhere.

Update:

I want to note that the owner called me the day the session happened and offered to talk me through recovering from it. I also called him today (2 days later) and he was quite responsive and kind. That said, my issue here is that I emphasized at every turn that I wanted to take it slow and be gentle at first. They knew I mostly did exercises like biking and hiking and walking. Eccentric exercises done slowly (what they had me do) use totally different fibers and are much more intense on the body, particularly when someone is not used to it. I get that a lot of people are sore a few days and move on. That’s not me. That’s why I emphasized I wanted to take it slow, which they did not pay attention to or heed. And I’m suffering the consequences. I maintain that this was a fundamental error that caused me harm. I hope I recover quickly but this often is a long road for me. I went into the session fine; now I can’t do the activities I love or even basic things like walking down the block without discomfort. In the future, if a client says take it slow; they should take it very slow. Unfortunately, they...

I've been working out with Rena of Uplift Fitness for a year and half. I do in-person coaching (1 hour) once a week, then work out on my own 2 days a week with a plan she creates for me monthly. I totally recommend reaching out to her and Uplift Fitness if you're seeking out a trainer, especially if you work out at Rain City Fit gym.

Over this time, I've learned so much when training under Rena. She is extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. I've had trainers in the past, but I've never stuck around with one as long as I did with her. I feel that I just keep on learning, and she's just so fun to spend time and chat with.

She's able to answer why we may be doing an exercise, what muscles it targets, and PROPER FORM & BREATHING. I can't stress that last point enough. I've had trainers in the past that taught me everything wrong, this explains why I had body pains in the past and couldn't push myself hard enough. However, Rena has been a blessing in ensuring that I'm tackling exercises in a safe and attentive way.

Even during covid-times, she was able to create an at-home plan when the gym was closed. This helped me keep motivated and not regress too far with my in-gym progress. These have been super tricky times and she has been extremely accommodating with every curveball that's been thrown at us.

After all this time training with Rena, I can confidently say that I'm stronger and more knowledgable than I've ever been. I am still working out with her now, because I continue to learn something new and refine my capabilities each week.

Update (September 2025): It's been 4 years since my original review, so I want to provide an update since I've continued working out with Rena for a total of 6 years and it has only gotten better.

She continues to find ways to refine my form in the smallest of tweaks that have caused me to surpass my prior strength records. It's surreal re-reading my initial review, then knowing where I am now. Rena & Uplift Fitness have truly changed my life and I still stand by everything I originally said.

I have since gotten into powerlifting and am an avid weight lifter. I'm no longer wanting to learn how to be a lifter, instead I am one. She teaches, motivates, and supports me with my training goals and multiple lifting meets I participate in. I feel so knowledgeable these days and confident around the gym because of what Rena and Uplift Fitness have bestowed upon me.

Uplift Fitness invests in their clients and I am thankful to still be...

I have been training with Uplift Fitness for the past 2.5 years, and I can genuinely say I am SO happy to have found them. I started personal training as someone who had never really worked out in a gym before to now feeling confident working out on my own and feeling strong and empowered! They have truly changed my life for the better.

Rena is the absolute best trainer - I feel so taken care of by her as a coach. She is incredibly well-educated and thoughtful in her programming to maximize health and longevity benefits and she truly cares about her people. She always prioritizes proper technique to avoid injury and emphasizes feeling good in your body. I also appreciate that she takes a holistic approach to coaching, checking in on things like sleep and stress and how that can impact our energy.

I now feel confident in knowing I have been taught good form and lifting foundations like how to properly brace and move through big compound lifts. Rena also coached me through getting over lingering knee pain and keeping it at bay.

Rena is such a gem that I chose to maintain coaching with her online after moving away from Seattle. I am so happy to have her by my side as I continue with my weight lifting journey!

If you are looking for trainers you can trust who can help you feel confident, strong, and just generally good in your body look no further...