Archives: Testimonials

I’ve been working out with Rena of Uplift Fitness for a year and half. I do in-person coaching (1 hour) once a week, then work out on my own 2 days a week with a plan she creates for me monthly. I totally recommend reaching out to her and Uplift Fitness if you’re seeking out a trainer, especially if you work out at Rain City Fit gym.

Over this time, I’ve learned so much when training under Rena. She is extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. I’ve had trainers in the past, but I’ve never stuck around with one as long as I did with her. I feel that I just keep on learning, and she’s just so fun to spend time and chat with.

She’s able to answer why we may be doing an exercise, what muscles it targets, and PROPER FORM & BREATHING. I can’t stress that last point enough. I’ve had trainers in the past that taught me everything wrong, this explains why I had body pains in the past and couldn’t push myself hard enough. However, Rena has been a blessing in ensuring that I’m tackling exercises in a safe and attentive way.

Even during covid-times, she was able to create an at-home plan when the gym was closed. This helped me keep motivated and not regress too far with my in-gym progress. These have been super tricky times and she has been extremely accommodating with every curveball that’s been thrown at us.

After all this time training with Rena, I can confidently say that I’m stronger and more knowledgeable than I’ve ever been. I am still working out with her now, because I continue to learn something new and refine my capabilities each week.

I’m a current client of Rena’s and super happy with my results! My goal was to be strong and I partnered with Rena to help me get there. She designs programs that keep me engaged and challenged while pushing me out of my comfort zone to try new exercises or lift more weight. (You can be fit without doing burpees!) She is positive and sincerely invested in your journey to your goals. Going to the gym and starting from ground zero can be intimating for anyone. If you are ready to do the work and looking for someone to be in your corner to help you get there, I highly recommend working with Rena. It’s worth your investment in you!

Uplift Fitness really focuses on your goals and gives you a realistic expectation of how to achieve them. I’ve been working with them for two months now and I can already see the results!! I’ve been working on really toning my body -arms, legs, back, and booty). My weakness is food. Period.  But with the coaches emphasis on a balance diet and the correct exercises, I’ve been able to accomplish way more than I thought– of course with the help of their discipline. Not only do the coaches really push you to do your best, but the way they go about training is really, actually uplifting. (Ha ha get it, it all makes sense now!) But in all seriousness, you can tell that they love their job and helping people out, which makes all the difference in the world. I would definitely recommend them if you need a boost in your lifestyle!! 10/10

Devon worked with me when he was still at 180. I was worried he would push me to a point where I would never want to return, but he was patient and mindful of my limitations while encouraging me to achieve my goal. Devon also kept funds in mind and worked with my budget. He found a way to create a plan so I didn’t go broke trying to stay healthy! I highly recommend Devon!

Uplift fitness has been great! I learned about it through a friend of mine who has trained with Rena for a couple of months now and they have seen great results. I went in because I wanted to learn how to squat better and lose some weight. I’ve been training with them since they opened there location and my squats are looking better and I’ve already started to lose some weight! I would highly recommend Uplift to anyone!

I worked with Rena 2-3x/week for the past 10 months and it was great! My focus was building muscle and getting stronger and that has definitely been the case. The amount of weight that I can lift keeps increasing and I notice these little arm muscles that were not there before. Rena is so great at balancing pushing me so that I lift what I’m capable of but not pushing too much so that I injure myself!

Rena is also super knowledgable about body mechanics and what works best. For example, I ended up injuring my shoulder outside of the gym and she was able to translate what my doctor’s suggestions were into a program that still helped me achieve my goals. AMAZING!

I would highly recommend working out with Rena if you get the chance!

I worked with Rena 3 times a week while I trained for a mountain expedition. Due to my sort of crazy work schedule, we had to meet at the ungodly hour of 5:30 am. Rena was always chipper as could be, it was almost sicking really how excited she was to exercise.

I had never done a squat in my like, I had never really done any meaningful exercise at a gym at all, actually. The only real experience exercising I have is cardio. She was super helpful, super patient and really just fun to hang out with. After only a few weeks we had running jokes, she would let me pick the music, though my brain wasn’t really functional at that hour so she usually picked. I still have songs in my spotify playlist from our exercises. She has an awesome sense of humor that really makes the time fly.

She is clearly knowledgable about exercise (one would hope with a personal trainer right? Kind of seems like a given), nutrition (again, I feel like this goes without saying, but maybe this is what tips the balance and makes you decide to pick her).

I am currently focusing on other goals, but when I come back around for another mountain expedition or I am just trying to get stronger/healthier, Rena is the one I trust.

She’s great. Do it.

I cannot say enough good things about my experience training with Rena. She really knows her stuff, and her goal is to make sure your journey to fitness is positive and well…uplifting.  It’s a pretty accurate business name! I spent over 6 months with her and would definitely do so again.  Anyone who is looking for a body positive trainer should be working with Rena and Devon!

When I used to train I was lucky enough to work with Rena for about 6 months before I moved overseas. My form, flexibility, and strength improved so much while I trained with her. She is super knowledgeable about nutrition and body physiology and had me on a workout plan that challenged me, but was also realistic in ramping up my abilities to avoid injury. I would highly recommend Rena to anyone and I will definitely be training with her again when I move back to Seattle!

Rena is an angel who came into my life! Exercising doesn’t come natural to me and she not only physically helped me, but emotionally helped build my confidence in knowing how to exercise and love my body. Rena has a special energy that exudes in her work. Once you meet her, you’ll never want to leave her.

For the past three off-seasons Devon has written me workout plans to keep me in shape, increase overall athleticism, improve technique in various olympics lifts, and to improve flexibility and mobility. His workouts and support has become essential to my year long training routine! The gains and improvements I’ve made have become critical to my success as a professional athlete.

As a US national team athlete, knowing the difference between maximizing workouts and over training is critical. For the last two years Devon has created custom online training and recovery programs to meet my daily regiment. I trust his training programs because they aren’t your run of the mill body builder regiments but they personally cater to my mobility and flexibility needs. This individual attention to my personal needs has made all the difference on the field.