Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions I hear most from new and prospective clients. Don’t see yours? Get in touch or call/text 765-571-1514.
Where do you train clients?
Three options: at FlexWerk Fitness in Carmel City Center (885 Monon Grn Blvd, Suite 120) — a private studio with no crowds; at Indy Performance Authority (IPA) at 537 E Ohio Street in downtown Indianapolis; or in your own home if you prefer to train where you live. I also build online programs for clients who travel or live outside the area. I regularly work with clients from Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, Fishers and Noblesville.
I’m taking semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or another GLP-1 — how does training fit in?
This is one of the most important questions in fitness right now. Rapid weight loss on GLP-1 medications comes from both fat and muscle — studies suggest a meaningful share of the weight lost can be lean mass if you’re not actively protecting it. Losing muscle slows your metabolism, weakens you, and makes regain more likely if you ever stop the medication.
Resistance training and adequate protein are the best-supported ways to hold on to muscle — exactly what a structured program provides. I work with clients on GLP-1 treatment to preserve and even build lean muscle while the medication does its work, so the weight you lose is the weight you actually want to lose. (I coordinate with what your prescribing provider recommends — this is training support, not medical advice.) Here’s how I train clients on GLP-1 medications, and for the science, read my guide: how to keep your muscle while losing weight on a GLP-1.
Can I train with an injury or chronic pain, like a bad back, knees, or shoulder?
Yes — in most cases, smart training is exactly what helps. We work around the injury, strengthen everything that supports it, and progress carefully. One of my clients started with severe elbow pain every time he trained; after several months of targeted work, the pain disappeared completely. Another came to me with aches in her neck, lower back, and knees — two and a half years later, none of the things that bothered her when she started are a problem today. If you are under a doctor or physical therapist’s care, I coordinate with their plan rather than replace it. I wrote a full page on how I train around injuries and chronic conditions. For a lot of back and knee issues the hips are where the fix starts — see why glute and hip training matters.
I sit at a desk all day. Can training undo a sedentary lifestyle?
In large part, yes — this is one of the most common reasons people come to me. Long days of sitting show up as rounded posture, a stiff lower back and neck, tight hips, and low energy. The fix is targeted strength work: strengthening the muscles that long hours of sitting tend to underuse, opening up what it tightens, and rebuilding the posture that hours at a screen erode. One of my longest-running clients came in with exactly this picture — three years later her posture is fixed and she is stronger than she has ever been. You will feel the difference at your desk, not just in the gym. Long hours of sitting can reduce hip mobility and leave the glutes contributing less in everyday movement, so hip mobility and glute strength are usually the first things we rebuild.
How much does personal training cost?
In-person training at the studio runs $75–$90 per session (FlexWerk Fitness in Carmel or IPA in downtown Indianapolis), depending on how many sessions a week we do. In-home training is priced differently because of travel time — I’ll quote it based on where you live and how often we train. Remote coaching has its own monthly pricing. The first conversation is free: reach out, tell me your goals, and I’ll give you straightforward options with no pressure.
I’m out of shape / have never lifted weights. Can I still start?
That’s exactly who personal training is for. Your first session is an assessment, not a test — we find your genuine starting point and build from there. Most of my clients started as beginners, and the private studio setting means no crowds and nobody judging. You can read what they say about how it actually feels.
Am I too old to start strength training?
My oldest client is 85. She started in her 80s, and she hasn’t fallen in over two years — her posture and strength keep improving. Muscle responds to training at every age; the program just has to meet you where you are. If anything, the older you are, the more strength training matters.
How often should I train with you?
Most clients start at 2–4 sessions per week, and the honest goal is to need me less over time. Several of my longest-running clients learned the fundamentals, dropped to independent training, and now do a few sessions a month to stay sharp and accountable. I’d rather teach you to own your training than make you dependent on me.
Do you help with nutrition too?
Yes — training and nutrition together are how transformations actually happen. I’ll help you change your lifestyle and build tools you’ll keep, not hand you a crash diet. One of my clients lost 40+ pounds of fat while adding 10+ pounds of muscle over 18 months with this combined approach. Start with Nutrition Basics — the plain-English version of what I teach every client in their first few weeks.
Can women build muscle without getting bulky?
Yes. Research suggests women can gain muscle at a similar rate relative to where they start when following the same resistance-training program as men, although men generally gain more total muscle. Building a large amount of muscle also takes years of focused training and nutrition — it doesn’t happen accidentally from lifting a few times a week. For most women, two to four well-programmed strength sessions per week can build muscle, increase strength, and change how the body looks and performs. I program for that with progressive overload, appropriate training volume, and enough protein. Here’s how I train women to build muscle →
What happens at the first session?
A movement assessment, honest baselines, your first scaled workout, and a clear plan — not a punishment workout. I wrote up the whole experience in detail on the blog.