Power Plant Gym

Over the last few months, a handful of clients have told me they're taking a GLP-1. Almost always quietly. Almost always like they're admitting something.

As a gym owner in a body-positive gym, I think people worry I'll judge them for wanting to lose weight. Or that I'll think they're taking the "easy way out."

Neither is true.

I believe in body autonomy. Your body belongs to you, not me. You get to decide what goals matter to you and what tools you use to pursue them.

I also think we live in a culture that puts an enormous amount of pressure on people to shrink their bodies.

Those ideas can exist together.

GLP-1s may be an appropriate tool for some people and not the right choice for others. That's a conversation between you and your healthcare provider.

If you're taking a GLP-1, strength training is one of the best things you can do to help preserve muscle while losing weight.

Most importantly: you don't need to whisper it.

You don't need my permission to pursue weight loss.

And you definitely don't need to confess.

Our member Julia is a retired engineer who came to us with a simple goal: build strength that would enable her to maintain her independence.

A few weeks ago, she did her first one rep max testing. We build up to max testing over the course of about six months, and then, Julia tested the heaviest weight she could squat, bench press, and deadlift for a single rep. Julia hit a 150 lb deadlift. Pretty incredible for a woman with no prior strength training experience.

Probably more importantly, she's been excited to be able to move things around her garden by herself, and do the climbing necessary for some household maintenance.

Julia trains with us in our semi-private training, and we're really proud of her progress!

🍀𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗛🍀

Good luck to Stephanie as she heads to PA Dutch Strong in Lancaster, PA. Steph is mom to a young baby and has persevered through all the challenges that come with being a new mom while also making a return to sport! Steph does an incredible job juggling everything, and has been working hard to set herself up for a great event.

Join us in the comments wishing her the best of luck!

I've talked to a few folks recently who have gotten the impression that we only work with competitive athletes. It is true that we've sent a bunch of folks to various levels of strongman and powerlifting competition recently. It is also true that most of our coaching team has current or prior competition experience.

That being said, we have a lot of folks who come to us and specifically don't want to compete. That's okay! Competition isn't for everyone. Bridget came to us with the goals of avoiding her "bones turning to dust" as she ages. Bridget doesn't really have any interest in competing, she wants to feel good, feel strong, and age well. We love working with her on those goals!

While we love supporting our competitive athletes, and we love guiding people towards their first comp experience, it's not required, and we work with a lot of beginners!

If you've been looking at our content and thinking, "Sheesh, they seem too hardcore for me!" I promise you we are not. We're just a bunch of weirdos lifting heavy (whatever that means for us on any given day) and trying to improve our lives.

This weekend was USS Nationals in Iowa, and these strong women went out and crushed it.

Courtney placed third in her division, earning a podium spot at her first Nationals. She had a tough prep with a hand injury just a couple weeks out from comp but worked with her coach to adapt her program and show up as strong as possible. Even though she DID send a text to her coach four days out saying "I just maxed out my deadlift, sorry," she stuck to her program pretty well otherwise and trusted the process. She brought a well rounded package to comp day, and brought her mental A-game, not getting flustered even after a disappointing performance on the second event.

Coach Sam crushed it, and put on a deadlift ramping clinic. She also busted out some really fast moving events. Look how fast she can run in those shoes!

Chandler absolutely demolished the farmer's carry, and racked up some points there.

We love seeing all these strong women challenging themselves to higher heights! Congratulations, Courtney, Sam & Chandler!

🍀𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞🍀

This weekend, Coach Sam, Courtney, and Chandler will take on USS Nationals in Iowa! These women have all crushed their training and we're excited to see what they do tomorrow! Courtney returned to PPG for remote programming into this comp, and it's been great to see her commitment and dedication. It's always an honor to have athletes return to us after a break.

Join us in wishing all three of them the best luck competing.

If the gym has ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or like it’s “not your thing”… start here.

A No Sweat Intro is a low-pressure conversation where we figure out what you actually need to reach your goals. This is our first step for all people before joining our gym. It's a short chat with a coach about your goals, and we'll develop a plan for how to get you to them. You’ll leave with direction instead of decision fatigue.

Book yours at the link in bio.