Chapter 1: My Introduction to Fitness

My initial visit to a gym was accompanied by a friend. Fast forward to my 587th visit, and I found myself lifting more than many of my peers.

As someone who proudly identifies as a "gym enthusiast," I understand that mere weightlifting doesn't equate to mastering control over that weight. This realization pushed me to seek professional training services. Initially, I was skeptical about trainers, viewing them as opportunists targeting individuals with deep pockets. Though I witnessed this behavior firsthand, I decided to silence my inner critic and take the plunge into training.

I invested a significant amount of money and gained invaluable knowledge along the way. My first trainer was my uncle, who didn't offer me any discounts but provided a solid foundation for my fitness journey, for which I am immensely grateful.

When the pandemic struck, I attempted home workouts but soon found myself enjoying leisurely day drinking more. As a result, I gained a few extra pounds. By 2022, I had shed the weight, relocated to Seattle, and discovered a rather questionable gym scene.

The fitness centers in Seattle are not particularly luxurious; even the more upscale facilities could use some improvement. Consequently, I decided to invest in a Peloton bike, fulfilling a long-held dream. In my mind, owning a Peloton meant I was a person who prioritized self-care and overall health.

While home workouts and runs at Green Lake are enjoyable, Seattle's frequent rain can make outdoor exercise challenging (though I personally love running in the rain). This led me to explore ClassPass, where I attended a Lagree studio and experienced the most intense workout of my life.

Lagree is distinct from Pilates, utilizing a Megaformer, which you can learn more about in the following video:

As a self-proclaimed "gym enthusiast," I felt compelled to pursue something that appeared nearly insurmountable. The intense workout left me sore for days, prompting me to return for more. The first studio I visited was the most aesthetically pleasing, with a clientele primarily in their mid to late 20s.

My experiences varied across five different studios, and I found the last one to be considerably easier, with a more enjoyable flow (shorter holds and logical transitions). Curious about teaching, I emailed the studio to inquire about their teacher training programs.

Having practiced ballet for 14 years, I had always aspired to become a Pilates instructor. It's worth mentioning that the financial investment required to become a Lagree instructor is significantly lower than that for Pilates—approximately $2,000 to $3,000 compared to around $15,000 for Pilates.

I thought to myself, "I’ll complete this training and use my experience and earnings to transition into classical Pilates." I enrolled in the teacher training at the last studio I visited. The studio's "CEO" informed me that while she had undergone Lagree training, her studio was not officially Lagree. Nonetheless, she did provide teacher training options.

It's essential to highlight that she stated her studio was not Lagree, and the certification might not be recognized at other establishments. This left me with the impression that her training would prepare me to teach a legitimate fitness class that would be nationally recognized within the fitness community.

As I write this, I am in the process of requesting a refund from this "CEO" and her establishment. I mistakenly believed that if a studio offered Lagree-style workouts but altered the names to sidestep copyright issues (a fact I later discovered), their certification would be valid in the fitness industry.

In essence, this "CEO" is not a certified instructor but still provides certifications. What are your thoughts on this situation? Was I wrong to assume the certification would hold legitimacy?

Yes. Was I explicitly informed that the certification would be limited to her studio?

No. While she did inform me that her studio was not Lagree, she claimed to have experience in the method. Perhaps I am entirely mistaken—please share your thoughts.

Until next time...

Chapter 2: Identifying Red Flags in Fitness Training

In the pursuit of fitness, it's crucial to be aware of the potential pitfalls that can lead to scams. The following video explores some common lies used by the fitness industry to deceive individuals: