Ironside Athletics By Liz Forman

I first met Liz 3 years ago at CrossFit Pasadena. I was completely new to CrossFit and she was a coach there and also coached me through my on-​ramp classes (classes that teach you the foundational movements required for CrossFit). Her excellent instruction, breadth of knowledge, and positive attitude were instrumental in my development into a now adept CrossFit athlete.
Liz and CrossFit Pasadena eventually parted ways and while I am still a member there, I still see Liz for personal training. Her credentials speak for themselves. She gives personalized and periodized programming based on what my fitness goals are — better endurance, better strength, better nutrition, better anything! Liz does it all and with her signature smile the whole time.

I’ve been training with Liz for 2 ½ years. When I started, at age 48, I was out of shape and I couldn’t do much. I got out of breath easily and everything seemed very hard. My progress has been very satisfying and I am proud of where I am today. Liz knows how to push you so that you improve steadily, but she’s also very careful to work with you so that you have your technique down correctly. She’s very encouraging but expects you to work hard. I just had my 50^th birthday, and I can honestly said that I’m in far better shape than I have been since my early 20’s. Training with Liz has allowed me to meet my goal of going on some very challenging backpacking trips and hikes. I am lifting weight that I never thought I could lift and pushing through workouts that would have seemed impossible two years ago. And my body is different, since I’m much more toned than I was before. I can wear sleeveless tops and dresses with pride, and there’s no more belly pooch to speak of. (I’ve had two kids, so this is saying something). These aesthetic issues aside, I feel that the greatest value to sticking with Liz and her ever-​changing workouts is the confidence and strength I’ve achieved. I feel great, all around. I highly recommend Liz for anyone who is willing to work hard and wants to see results. As an added bonus, she is extremely knowledgeable about nutrition.

OK first a little about my athletic endeavors. High school wrestling team, high school lacrosse team, college crew team. Trained in Danzan ryu jujitsu for 2 years. Trained in Brazilian jujitsu for a year and a half. Have had over 10 different trainers since high school. I am by no means an expert but I have learned enough to do it on my own.
Now with the back ground in place I will say this about Ironside Athletics. You would be stupid not to train with Liz. She knows her stuff. In the 3 months that I have been training with her I have completely changed. Stronger faster and more endurance. She has taken my fitness level above and beyond what I thought I was possible for myself. I have never had a trainer who could break me down and build me back up just as fast. Liz the bomb.

Let’s be real: I am not the type of girl that likes to work out. Sure, it’s super awesome to be strong, athletic, look real nice in extremely revealing outfits, but seriously, the whiff of pork belly, the sight of Proof’s buttery croissants, the desire to try the best restaurants all the time, really pushes all the thoughts of being fit out the window. But alas, after three years of simultaneously working full-​time and getting my MBA, I’ve managed to gain 20+ lbs and 90% of my clothes do not fit. I also love to shop so in a case like this, I could’ve easily gone shopping, but mind you, I already have a great closet, not-​so-​inexpensive taste, and a pile of student loans, thus buying a new wardrobe just isn’t going to work. Not to mention, I do actually want to feel good and carrying around the excess weight just isn’t making me feel that great.
Drastic times call for drastic measures and thus I decided to start training with Liz. I’ve known of Liz for a couple of years now (we have friends in common, including my boyfriend, who’s also trained with her), but I didn’t officially meet her until a couple of months ago. During our first meeting, we discussed the type of personal and nutritional training that she offers, as well as, my personal goals that I would like to achieve through training. It was truly refreshing to consult with her; I love that she took the time to meet with me! I’ve been a member of corporate gyms and two different CrossFit affiliates (one great, one not) and most places do not take the time to listen to the client and evaluate personal goals prior to signing them up for a session. I’m all about the management of expectations, so if you don’t think you can help me reach my goals, please spare me of your time and do not take advantage of my naïveté so you can make $$. Another great thing about our consult was that there was no pressure in signing up to train with her (ahem, unlike some other places). Liz lays it all out and then leaves it up to you, the client, to decide. I really like that aspect. Personal training is well, personal, and the decision to make, what I think is, a large commitment, should be left up to me.
I’m on my 6^th week of training with Liz and so far, it has been really great. I actually think I am becoming addicted to our 5am workouts! I definitely feel stronger than when I first started and can envision my body’s physical improvements by sticking with the 3x a week sessions. Training with Liz is really all about partnership — the client and her are really in it together. You can tell that she cares deeply for each one of her clients by the way she programs. Lots of other places (ahem, CrossFit) just have generic workouts that are 1: aren’t customized to any of their clients or 2: customized to only the elite, athletic clients; but Liz’s workouts are tailored specifically to your fitness level and goals. Now, that’s not to say her workouts aren’t hard, because they are very challenging… VERY. But when you work out with Liz, even the most challenging workouts are doable. Liz is incredibly encouraging and patient; she will not give up on you even when you want to call it quits. It’s very rare to see a personal trainer care about their clientele as she does and for that, I am so grateful to train with her.
I could write about Liz all day long, but this review is getting long enough. Liz Forman of Ironside Athletics is fantastic. She possess a great wealth of knowledge on fitness, the human body, and nutrition that goes beyond your average, and in some cases, above average trainers. She is invested in her clients and supports them throughout all the workout sessions. Liz really emphasizes having the proper technique during her workouts, which from past experience, is rare; I appreciate that she doesn’t want me to get hurt during a session and prioritizes form over number of reps. Last but not least, I absolutely recommend you to train with Liz — her extremely infectious, upbeat personality and determination to help you be a better you just shouldn’t be passed up.
PS: My generalizations on CrossFit are only on the two gyms that I have been members of. Should they not reflect your affiliates, please don’t be offended, as that’s not in any way, my intention.