It Feels Like Family: How LIFT Helped Katie Rebuild After Maternity Leave

LIFT Performance Gym • August 4, 2026

Katie Lane has been training at LIFT Performance in Southington, CT for the past eight months, and she knew from her very first visit that she had found what she was looking for. Coming off maternity leave and figuring out a new normal in her personal life, Katie wasn't just looking for a workout. She found a sense of community and family that she says she looks forward to every morning. Watch her full story below, or keep reading to hear what she had to say.

Finding Community and Family From Day One

Katie says she knew immediately, walking into LIFT, that she had found what she was looking for again. That sense of community and family was there right away, and she says she loves everything about the people who train there. It's part of why she looks forward to coming in every single morning.

Coaching That Understood Where She Was in Life

Katie's first session was with coach Brian, and she felt a connection right away. Her second session, with coach Tyler, gave her that same feeling. She knew almost immediately that both coaches were going to push her in the way she needed to be pushed, while also giving her the flexibility she needed as someone coming off maternity leave and navigating what was going on in her personal life at the time. That balance helped her find workouts that actually fit where she was, physically and personally, and worked toward her own goals.

Discovering Strength She Didn't Know She Had

Katie says the community at LIFT has been everything she wanted it to be, but what surprised her most was realizing how strong she actually is. She's clear that she probably wouldn't have discovered that strength without being pushed by the community, and by Brian and Tyler specifically. For Katie, that kind of support made all the difference in seeing what she was capable of.

A Level of Care That Feels Like Family

Katie says her experience at LIFT doesn't compare to anything else she's experienced at other gyms. She can tell that the coaches genuinely live and breathe the place, and that it matters deeply to them that every member has a great experience. If she misses a few days, whether her kids are sick or something else comes up at home, she'll get a message from one of the coaches simply checking in on how she's doing.

That kind of care comes from members and coaches sharing what's going on in their home lives, which Katie says is part of the community feel at LIFT. Everyone is genuinely invested in making the experience a good one for each other. In her words, it feels like family.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does LIFT Performance accommodate members returning from maternity leave?

    Yes, coaches at LIFT Performance work with members to build training around their current life circumstances, including returning from maternity leave. This means adjusting intensity and flexibility based on where a member is physically and personally, so training feels supportive rather than overwhelming during a major life transition.

  • What makes the coaching relationship at LIFT Performance different?

    Coaches at LIFT Performance take the time to understand each member's personal goals and circumstances, not just their workout routine. Members often describe feeling an immediate connection with coaches, who balance pushing them physically with the flexibility needed for whatever is happening in their personal lives. This personal investment is a big part of why members stay long term.

  • How does the LIFT Performance community support members outside of workouts?

    The LIFT Performance community supports members beyond the gym floor by genuinely checking in during difficult stretches, like when a member is dealing with sick kids or a busy home life. Members and coaches share what's going on in their lives, which builds a level of care that many describe as feeling like family rather than a typical gym relationship.

  • Can training at LIFT Performance help me discover strength I didn't know I had?

    Yes, many members find that being consistently pushed by coaches and the surrounding community helps them realize a level of physical and mental strength they hadn't recognized before. This kind of growth often comes from a supportive environment where members are encouraged to push past what they assumed were their limits.

  • How do I get started at LIFT Performance in Southington, CT?

    Getting started at LIFT Performance begins with a free 20-minute assessment and a 7-day trial, which you can request at lift-performance.com or by calling (203) 892-0123. This gives you a chance to meet the coaches and experience the community firsthand before deciding if it's the right fit, with no contract required.

Katie's story shows what it looks like when a training program flexes around real life, whether that's returning from maternity leave or simply juggling a busy household, while still helping members discover strength they didn't know they had. If you are searching for a gym in Southington, CT where coaches genuinely check in on you and the community feels like family, a free 20-minute assessment and 7-day trial is the easiest way to see if it is the right fit. No contracts, just real care, support, and results.

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