Meet Trainer Lara!

Here’s some fun facts about Trainer Lara-

How did you know you wanted to become a personal trainer?

I had a complicated relationship to exercise through my teens and early twenties. It wasn't until I got into strength training as a way to build my body back up after seven years of an eating disorder that I learned to enjoy training instead of using it as punishment or as a compulsive tendency. And then I wanted to be able to support other folks going through that experience. 

What is one exercise you can’t live without?

Well, clearly there's no real answer because I'm not dead yet! But it's hard to go without my aerial training, especially doubles trapeze. I miss hanging upside down and throwing Liz (my flyer) around more than I miss anything else. No Liz's were harmed, don't worry, I was getting really good at not dropping her.

What’s your favorite thing to coach a client through?

I love progressively coaching folks through movements they didn't expect to do. Before quarantine, I had a client who deadlift her bodyweight for two reps--that's a goal we've been working towards for about a year now. Another client who's been in my Small Group Training for the past two years deadlifted over 200 lbs at our mock meet last September. Those big "wow, I never thought I'd do that" moments are my absolute favorite.

What is your best advice for someone just starting their fitness journey?

Hire a coach. Honestly. I'm a coach, and I work with coaches when I have specific goals I want to hit. Even if you're an expert in something, it can be both encouraging and helpful to have someone else on your team supporting you and guiding you. And if you're not an expert, the best way to get discouraged is to dive into something wholeheartedly and see zero results. Coaches are there to prevent that kind of discouragement.

What hobbies do you enjoy outside of the gym?

Did I mention the trapeze thing? Upside down and ten feet off the ground is my happy place. I'm also a writer, knitter, cross stitch fiend, and basic witch.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a personal trainer?

My degree is in Asian Studies and at one point I was fluent in Mandarin and conversational in Japanese, so I might have gone into translating if I wouldn't have had to work in business or politics. Translating books or movies would have been more my speed, but there isn't really as much demand for that. 

What’s the main thing you miss about being in the gym during quarantine?

I miss being able to see all my clients. I honestly prefer working out at home, because I don't have to wear clothes or wash my hair, I just don't have any barbells...yet. But I really, really miss being able to keep working with all my folks.

What has been your favorite quarantine activity?

Seeing how early I can push the coffee to whiskey relay race hand off. I'm kidding, it's finally getting to work more seriously on my many writing projects. Brought to you by coffee or whiskey, and sometimes both.