Why Raise the Bar Stands Above the Rest
Other trainers or
group fitness classes
COACH QUALIFICATIONS
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Many years of education and experience in coaching, exercise science, nutrition, and psychology
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Trained under several highly qualified coaches
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Demonstrated coaching skills to subject matter experts on numerous occasions
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Competed in (and won) strength-lifting competitions
Colorado does not have a state license requirement. Anyone can legally call themselves a personal trainer. Many do pursue certifications; however, these are often achieved by:
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A weekend course
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Memorization of a textbook, followed by a multiple-choice test
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Coach experienced working with clients in your demographic.
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Experience training clients between 12-78; primarily working with those in their 50s to 70s
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Ability and willingness to explain the “why” for each exercise, taking into consideration physics, anatomy, and physiology.
May know which exercises work a specific muscle, but is unlikely to have a deeper understanding. For example, the implications of where a barbell sits on the shoulders and how it impacts the movement pattern and muscles used.
Coach consistency
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Work with the same coach year over year who gets to know you and has a deep understanding of your personal “why,” training history, and goals.
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Unlikely when working with a trainer in a corporate or franchise gym, as they tend to have high turnover.
Provides nutrition support
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Access to your coach outside of class
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Offers a no-pressure, free consultation in-person or over the phone
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PROGRAMS
Trainers often have their clients use the same weight and increase their reps. This builds muscle endurance, not strength. Most trainers have good intensions. Unfortunately, they lack the understanding of how to effectively build strength.
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Utilizes a program that makes you objectively stronger in the most efficient way possible.
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The law of specificity, stress/recovery/adaptation cycle, and progressive overload methodology are leveraged.
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You will know you are getting stronger because the weight on the bar will continue to increase over time.
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Programming is simple and efficient.
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By primarily focusing on using the four barbell lifts (squat, press, bench press, deadlift), you will get strong quickly.
Trainers often change the exercises performed by their clients because they want to “keep it interesting” while creating “muscle confusion.”
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Using a large variety of exercises is not the most effective way to help clients get strong. It also takes more time in the gym than necessary.
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Muscles do not get confused, but they do adapt to the stress repeatedly applied to them.
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Movement patterns (AKA “form”)
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I will ensure you use the optimal form to ensure safety and efficiency.
Form may be sacrificed because:
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-The trainer is unable to watch all of your reps.
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-The atmosphere promotes competition and values the number of reps completed over form.
Customized
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Your program is customized based on your goals, abilities, and training history. This includes exercises, warm-ups, working sets, and even rest times.
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Corporate trainers use templates. That means certain needs never get addressed, because those “boxes” aren’t included in their system.
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Uses barbells to help you get stronger.
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Barbells range from 5-45 lbs and can be incrementally loaded with as little as .5 lb at a time.
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Barbells exercises build strength and improve balance simultaneously.
Most trainers use machines, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc. to help their clients.
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Less skill is required by the trainer to teach these than is needed for barbells.
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These are limited in terms of their ability to be incrementally loaded, build strength or improve balance.
Coach support when traveling
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I’ll provide guidance on how to find a gym and ensure you have your program ready to go. Barbells unavailable? I’ll write you a program based on what equipment you have available.
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FACILITY
Just show up!
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No membership card to scan.
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No need for a separate gym membership.
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Your equipment is set up prior to your arrival.
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Any personal items you have (shoes, change of clothes, etc.) can be left in your cubby so that you don’t have to remember to bring it each time.
No entry without completed paperwork, contract, and payment. Equipment may be unavailable or broken with no backup.
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Clean and comfortable space
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Fully equipped gym with high-quality equipment
Equipment isn’t guaranteed—machines may be down, items may be broken, and the gym may not have what you need for your workout.
Specialty equipment
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Variety of specialty bars and equipment available to help clients who have special needs, such as a limited range of motion
Standard equipment is included, but you’re restricted by what the gym provides—and what’s actually available or working.
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No waiting for equipment to be available
No mirrors or influencers taking selfies and videos
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CLASSES
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Option for group (up to four people) or private sessions
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I coach you on all of your working sets, even in the group classes. While you rest, I coach the next person. It’s like having a person trainer but in a small group environment.
Group classes are typically larger and have one trainer who isn’t able to watch and give you feedback on all of your exercises.
Group classes often have people do the same exercises at the same time.
Supportive environment
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Clients in the group sessions will cheer you on! It is not a competitive or intimidating environment.
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No contracts
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Clients in group classes are on a month-to-month basis.
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Clients in private classes are on a session-to-session basis.
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Cancellations are easy!
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May require long-term contracts and/or make it difficult to get out of contracts
Guaranteed results or your money back
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Attend all your sessions for one month. If you are not stronger by the end of the month (as measured by the weight on the bar), your money will be refunded.
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Most gyms don’t track whether you’re getting stronger or seeing results—and they certainly won’t offer refunds if you don’t. Their model isn’t built around your progress.
Got Questions?
Q: Is this CrossFit?
A: No. We do not do CrossFit, HIIT, circuits, bootcamps, or random workouts. We train using a structured, progressive strength method focused on safety and long-term results.
Q: I’ve never lifted weights. Is this for me?
A: Absolutely. Most of my clients are beginners in their 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond.
Q: Will I hurt myself?
A: My entire method is built on safe form, proper mechanics, and incremental loading.
You will be coached every rep, every time.
Q: What if I have injuries or mobility issues?
A: I modify movements using specialty bars and equipment. You do not need to be strong to start. You get strong by starting.
Q: How soon will I see results?
A: Most clients feel stronger within a few weeks and see measurable increases in weight lifted within the first month
Q: Do I need hours of cardio too?
A: No. Strength training + reasonable nutrition is the most efficient way to change your body.
