Many people classify themselves as busy — and it’s an especially apt description for women, who, according to various studies, tend to carry a larger share of domestic work and childcare responsibilities. To keep up with it all, many women feel they have to pick and choose what fits in, and their own health and fitness often falls to the bottom of the priority list as a result.
But it doesn’t have to be that way: Now, more than ever, there are convenient, at-your-fingertip resources to help people get moving, whenever and wherever it works for them. And these five female Life Time members offer prime examples of what’s possible.
Over the last year, these women have been able to maintain consistent exercise regimens with support from to the new virtual-training coaching programs at Life Time. It’s not just the convenience and flexibility that’s made them successful: It’s also the personalized programming designed by their coaches and the camaraderie with others on their team.
See what they each had to say about their experience and how they’ve been able to work on the goals they’re going after while still keeping up with the other priorities in their lives.
Tanya Island
Island, 44, is from Houston, Texas. She’s in the “Freezy Performance Program,” Coach David Freeman’s virtual Team Training program. She’s worked with Coach David since October 2020.
“Tanya has grit and the mindset of a champion,” says Freeman. “The thing I love most about Tanya is her will to become better daily. She will always arrive at her destination because she is willing to put in the work.”
What health goals are you working on?
I’m growing in health in all areas of my well-being. I’m a healthcare worker, and during the pandemic I realized my number one defense against illness was prevention. I consciously chose to do whatever I could to physically strengthen my body in order to make it a less favorable environment for any sort of infection.
How has your coach and your program helped you as you go after your goals?
I’ve experienced a complete transformation and I’ve enjoyed a truly phenomenal mentor relationship with Coach David. I’ve really appreciated how the digital platform has helped enable my growth and given me the ability to share experiences with others.
Coach David continuously reminds me of what matters to me with my health, and he helps me incrementally progress toward that goal. For example, I wanted the ability to complete four full extension and flexion pull-ups. I started with pull-ups on the assist machine and had knee pads to hold me up. Now, I can proudly say that I’m able to do the full pull-up movements without exerting myself too much.
Coach David has been a dependable source of information, teaching, and support for me from day one.
Why is virtual training beneficial for you?
My favorite thing about virtual training is it’s not limited by time or space. I don’t have to haggle over calendars or meeting invites, nor do I have to worry about whether a workout is tailored to my ability. Coach David knows what my ability is, and he develops my program to get me where I want to go.
I can reach out to him with questions over the phone or through messaging in the app and he responds promptly. I’m able to complete my workouts at home or at Life Time — or even on my vacations.
If the tools are properly developed like the programs in Life Time Training app are, then the trainee and trainer can cultivate a profound relationship and they can reap similar advantages of in-person work, including accountability, tracking metrics, words of encouragement, and guidance on correction.
How do you stay accountable to your efforts?
I prefer one-on-one accountability, like receiving a text from David, though my friends in the “Freezy Performance Program” also hold me accountable. I like how nobody is noting names or recording people’s workouts (except David!), but instead the tribe celebrates each other’s progress.
You get the benefit of encouraging others and receiving encouragement without the pressure of showing up in person. Nobody looks great after a workout, but it boosts us all to see some vulnerability when the tribe shares post-workout selfies.
What would you say to someone who’s considering virtual training?
This program has been a transformative experience for me. I hope others take a moment and reflect on their health journey. I would encourage them to pause and consider the possibilities of growth and benefit of joining a community of like-minded, amateur fitness types who want to learn and develop a whole new way of approaching wellness. This is your moment!
Jackie Wilkes
Wilkes, 35, is from Lenexa, Kan. She’s in the “Team Crystal” program, Crystal Parker’s virtual Team Training program. She’s worked with Coach Crystal since May 2021.
“Jackie is on fire,” says Parker. “She is dedicated to the program and the first person to knock out her workouts every morning on the app. Her progress over the last five months has been incredible to witness.”
What health goals are you working on?
At the beginning of this journey, my main goal was to lose my postpartum baby weight. After a month of training with Coach Crystal, I wasn’t seeing the scale move as quickly as I’d hoped. She’s helped me shift my focus to be not just on the weight, but on non-scale victories.
Now, my goals are to get in shape, stay active, maintain healthy-eating habits, and build muscle. After four months of training with Crystal, I reached my scale goals, and am back to the weight I was before having kids.
How has your coach and your program helped you as you go after your goals?
I’m in the best shape of my life right now — this training program has helped me get where I am today. Coach Crystal is always available for any and all questions I may have. She has been my biggest cheerleader. Even when I wasn’t seeing a lot of results at first, she reminded me to continue and that it will show. She was right — so right.
Why is virtual training beneficial for you?
I love the encouragement and cheering we all do for each other as a team in the app. We share recipes, vacation workout tips and tricks, and the goals we have for ourselves. I used to get overwhelmed when I entered a gym; training virtually has been such a blessing to me.
I’ve learned that if I don’t wake up and workout first thing in the morning, it won’t be a good workout during the day while the kids are up. I enjoy the mornings — 5 a.m. is truly my only “me time.” It allows me to start my morning off right and leaves me with plenty of energy for the day.
Virtual training has also helped me understand how lifting weights will change your body by the inches you lose during the process. I like how each day is planned out for me and that I can work out from anywhere.
How do you stay accountable to your efforts?
My progress photos have helped me with accountability. My coach has also held me accountable by asking for my personal goals and then setting up the app to reflect those goals. My husband cheers me on. Every morning after hearing all three of my alarms go off, he never complains, but makes sure I’m up when I need to be.
What would you say to someone who’s considering virtual training?
Virtual training works — 100 percent. I’m working with a real coach, a trained professional, who is setting up my monthly workouts for me. I can complete the workouts at home or in the club.
I’ve been virtually training for months now, and I get asked by other people what exercise program I’ve been doing. I love sharing this option with others. I’ve referred other people to this program and will continue to do so.
Jordan Lee
Lee, 26, is from Meridan, Miss. She’s in the “Dream Bodies” program, Eden Bobo’s virtual Team Training program. She’s worked with Coach Eden since May 2021.
“Jordan came to me as a mom of four who was unhappy with herself and ready for a change,” says Bobo. “It has been such a pleasure watching her change her lifestyle, hit her goals, and love herself again. Jordan’s work ethic is truly inspirational, and I couldn’t be prouder to be her coach!”
What health goals are you working on?
I want to regularly get in physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and choose the right foods.
How has your coach and your program helped you as you go after your goals?
Virtual training has been amazing. I use the “Dream Bodies” program through the Life Time Training app on my iPhone and Apple Watch because it’s convenient. Coach Eden has gone above and beyond. She has taken my goals and shaped everything I need to do to reach them. She checks in with me daily and pushes me to accomplish what I set my mind to.
Why is virtual training beneficial for you?
I get to make my own schedule, which I love. I work nights and tend to my four kids during the day, so virtual training helps me to work out on my own time. Coach Eden stays on top of her clients and checks in to make sure we are reaching our goals.
How do you stay accountable to your efforts — and how do you maintain motivation?
My husband cheers me on daily. I also take pictures of myself before and after a workout, and I post selfies on my social-media platforms. Coach Eden helps motivate me as well. She constantly reaches out throughout the week with texts and sends inspirational quotes. She’s my personal hype girl!
What would you say to someone who’s considering virtual training?
Just join. It will work out and you will love the program. Staying committed to yourself will help you reach your goals. I push to remain consistent, and I’m so glad when I complete a workout.
Christine Lande
Lande, 44, is from Bridgewater, N.J. She’s also in the “Freezy Performance Program.” She’s worked with Coach David since March 2021.
“Christine leads with the power of connection,” says Freeman. “She is a natural when it comes to bringing people together. She shares her story, which empowers others to knock down their walls so they too can elevate within the health and fitness space. Christine helps shine a light on those around her daily.”
What health goals are you working on?
My long-term goal is to live a healthy lifestyle and continue to build mental and physical strength. I am also working on being the best version of myself.
How has your coach and your program helped you as you go after your goals?
Coach David is the only coach who was able to get me to take a deep dive into finding my “why” — the reason I’m chasing after my desired goal. He provides the tools to help transform my mindset. He checks in with me, asks the right questions, and has a training approach that’s given me the opportunity to get to know myself better.
Why is virtual training beneficial for you?
I really enjoy the community that Coach David has built. It’s such a dynamic and diverse group of high-performing individuals who are very positive, energetic, and supportive. We help keep each other accountable while having fun doing our daily sweat receipts — after we work out, we post a picture or video showing that we sweat. Seeing those posts have been so motivating and inspiring to me. I feel fortunate to be part of this team.
How do you stay accountable to your efforts — and how do you maintain motivation?
I have close friends who are also Life Time members and we all help keep each other accountable. I have also made some great connections through the “Freezy Performance Program” team. We stay in touch and do fun challenges through Instagram.
I stay motivated by finding new movements to work on and call them “mini goals” to keep it fun and exciting. I choose moves that are not typically in a program. For example, I’ve picked a gymnastics-type movement called “Ring Muscle Up.” I’m working on achieving this move and consider it my extracurricular activity.
What would you say to someone who’s considering virtual training?
Virtual training gives you an opportunity to connect with coaches and members across the country. It also gives you the flexibility to work out anywhere and anytime, which helps people who are busy and have demanding schedules.
When approaching fitness, I would advise someone to also develop healthy habits in the areas of sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress management. All are extremely beneficial to having overall success in your fitness goals. If embarking on all of those at once seems overwhelming, I’d suggest working on one healthy habit at a time and prioritizing them accordingly.
Heather Woods
Woods, 36, is from Stilwell, Kan . She’s also in the “Team Crystal” program. She’s worked with Coach Crystal since May 2021.
“Heather has been a delight to work with over the last five months,” says Parker. “Each workout I can see that she pushes herself like it’s her last workout ever — and it shows in her progress.”
What health goals are you working on?
I want to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. I’d like to feel better in my own skin — and that doesn’t necessarily mean I want to achieve a certain weight. I want my clothes to fit better, to be able to lift and move things that I struggled with before, to look and feel better on the outside, to be able to play with my kids and not have to rest or say no, and to enjoy vacations outdoors.
I want to make health a priority. My tangible goals are working out five times a week, getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night, drinking more water, taking time just for me, getting stronger, and reducing body fat.
How has your coach and your program helped you as you go after your goals?
This program has been nothing short of amazing. It provides me — a dedicated wife and full-time working mom — the flexibility to still take care of myself every single day.
I don’t have a lot of equipment at my house, but I’ve been able to complete every move or have them modified if needed. The workouts are simple enough to do from home, which makes it easier to fit into my schedule.
Coach Crystal has been there to support, help, and guide me through any questions or needs I have. She is always looking for feedback and designs the program specifically for her clients. I love the virtual community we have created, and I look forward to tracking my results.
Why is virtual training beneficial for you?
Virtual training has helped me immensely. Life is busy — especially has been over the last year and a half — but this has allowed me to stay consistent. I’ve gained confidence while working out, and I no longer look around and wonder how I’m supposed to complete an exercise. I have a guided program that I know is effective. I know I’m not wasting my time.
How do you stay accountable to your efforts — and how do you maintain motivation?
Once you see progress, the rest is history. I see progress every single week, which fuels me to keep going. This is a lifestyle change, and it is doable. The program sets me up for success every day. I feel supported and encouraged by Coach Crystal’s team.
What would you say to someone who’s considering virtual training?
Virtual training works for me because I am so busy. I’m able to pick when and where I do my workouts, which gives me the ability to be consistent. I would absolutely recommend virtual training to someone who’s interested in giving it a try.
