upLIFT is an eight-week barbell based strength training program for trauma survivors. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll be introduced to classic barbell exercises: deadlift, overhead press, barbell squats, and more. We will work on increasing body awareness, and you’ll learn strategies for moving your body depending upon your mood. This is an inclusive and trauma informed program.
Where? Collective Strength, 3245 Amber St 52A, Philadelphia, PA 19134
When? Sundays from 1pm-2:30pm
January 22th through March 12th
Jess Brock-Pitts, ACE Certified Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor, MSW, NJ LCSW, NJ LCADC,
Jess Brock-Pitts is a gym class drop-out turned certified personal trainer & group fitness instructor. She is the founder and owner of Enlighten Well LLC, a virtual boutique fitness and wellness studio.
Jess became active in early adulthood, and discovered she loved the feeling of accomplishment that came with a physical challenge. She has done competitive powerlifting, and holds a number of NJ USPA state records. She has also done Strongman, had a short career in distance running, and some triathlons.
Jess came to a career in fitness after a career in mental health, and she is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey. Jess is passionate about Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating. When she discovered trauma informed strength training, she started incorporating those principles into her work as a personal trainer. She values making fitness more inclusive and accessible, and focuses on the empowering aspect of movement.
Jess is an ACE CPT & GFI, certified in Trauma Informed Weightlifting, certified Girls Gone Strong Level 1 Coach, and holds several group exercise certifications. When she isn’t picking up heavy things and putting them back down, she loves hiking with her family.
What folks have said about working with Jess:
“Jess is authentic. She is relatable. And she is kind. In a world filled with trainers who are trying to convince you that you could look “better,” or “no pain no gain” or share tips on how to “lose weight quickly” before a weigh-in. Jess is the opposite of what I thought I’d find when searching for a trainer so needless to say, once I met Jess I breathed a sigh of relief. How refreshing to find a trainer who deeply understands the importance of honoring our inner body and its need for movement without focusing on the external side effects of doing so.”
Hi, I’m Jess, and upLIFT is the barbell program I wish I’d had earlier in my strength journey. I identify as fat and I am a survivor of childhood trauma. Barbell training has been profoundly impactful in my recovery, and has helped me to be more connected with my body. Trauma informed strength training can help to improve your sense of body safety, body awareness, and is just downright empowering as hell.
We’ll spend eight weeks working on some mindfulness, getting more aware of our bodies, and building some awareness around how to use movement to manage hyperarousal and hypoarousal. upLIFT is capped at six members.
We will not be specifically talking about trauma or sharing trauma stories. The main focus is on the here-and-now: lifting and being aware of your body.
Each week we will focus on skill-building around one main lift. We’ll warmup, work through some body awareness, discuss the lift, and then practice the lift for the week, plus potentially some variations, paying special attention to how the different variations feel in our bodies. This is ideal for people who are newer to barbell lifting, and you’ll increase your comfort with barbell style lifting. Here’s the plan:
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Week one: Overhead Pressing
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Week two: Front squats
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Week three: Bent over row
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Week four: Bench Press
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Week five: Back squats
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Week six: Hip thrust
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Week seven: Deadlift
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Week eight: Celebrate with a deadlift party!
To be clear:
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You are NOT too inexperienced of a lifter to join this program. It is for people with less experience.
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If you have experienced something that felt traumatic to you, this program is for you. Your trauma is not too severe, and it is not insignificant. This program is for you.
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We will not be focusing on weight or aesthetic changes at all. I’m a weight neutral trainer, and my goals in this program are to introduce you to lifting safely, and teach you how to use barbell training to feel both in your body, and of your body.
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You don’t need special lifting equipment to begin. If you have special lifting shoes, wraps, or belts, you absolutely can bring them along and use them as you see fit, but if you don’t have that stuff, a pair of minimalist style sneakers or cross-trainers is enough to get started. Just wear clothes that will be comfortable to lift in.
Pricing structure is tiered, to allow for more financial inclusivity, and the price includes the 8 sessions and access to the gym during the time of the session. There are no hidden or add-on costs. Please choose the price that feels most appropriate to you.
Pricing Tiers:
TIER 2 (Subsidized) $175
This tier is for people with more financial need.TIER 3 (At-Cost) $200
This tier is for people who are reasonably financially secure.TIER 4 (Sustainer / Pay-It-Forward) $250
This tier is for people who are financially secure and wish to help cover the costs for those experiencing more financial need.Do you still have questions, or just want to chat to decide if this is right for you? DM Jess on Instagram at @enlightenwell or email jessbplcsw@gmail.com
Cancellation policy: cancellations with more than two weeks notice (before Jan 8) will be given a refund less $30. Cancellations from two weeks to two days (Jan 8 – Jan 20) will receive 50% refund. Cancellations from January 21 on will not receive a refund. Please email jessbplcsw@gmail.com to cancel.
