finally learn WTF to do with a dumbbell — without paying for a personal trainer.

next round starts September 2026

💪

next round starts September 2026 💪

in just 12 weeks, you’ll actually start strength training — and know how to keep it going.

“I can schedule workouts and hold myself accountable without negative self-talk!” — Caroline B.

I'm in!

Strength training seems so…complicated.

I totally get it. Despite being in the fitness industry for almost a decade, one scroll through Instagram makes me feel like there are 10,000 exercises I need to be doing ASAP, but with zero guidance about how to put it all together in a way that makes sense for me.

And I bet you’ve already tried:

  • searching YouTube for free videos…but they’re usually about growing your butt or burning fat

  • hiring a personal trainer…but you don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend every single month

  • buying a cheap, templated workout program to follow along…but you never finished that, right

But I’m here to help you get stronger in the simple push-a-button-for-a-cup-of-Joe kinda way.

let's do this!

imagine walking into a gym + knowing what to do…no matter what everyone else is doing.

You have a plan that still gives you flexibility and options.

Fail to plan, plan to fail…but what if the plan needs to adjust? Life gets lifey — bad night’s sleep, a pop-up work meeting, sick kid or pet — and we need to adjust our sails, not sink into despair. A plan is a starting point, but, like a good recipe, we adjust to taste.

You embrace doing less to actually be more consistent.

Less is more, for real. Diet culture teaches us that we need to be doing the most — at least 60 minutes, at least 5 times a week, at least burn X amount of calories. But what if we did less, so that we could end up doing more over time instead of being stuck on the all-or-nothing hamster wheel?

You trust yourself to make your own choices.

Your body, your choice. Instead of making your body fit an exercise, you adapt an exercise to fit your body. Instead of being scared of making the wrong decision, you get curious and try it out for yourself. Instead of waiting for praise or punishment from your coach, you use your experience to compassionately inform your next move.

This is all possible. And it’s why I created BEGIN.

introducing…

BEGIN

a 12-week crash course to help you get stronger + own the fundamentals of strength training

It’s not just a bunch of workouts. It’s also like taking a Strength Training 101 class, joining a non-diet community full of your new besties, and a qualified coach (that’s me!) to cheer you on + answer your questions.

Join and after 3 months, you’ll feel confident to put together + do a full-body strength workout — at home or at any gym. Best of all? You’ll know why you’re doing each exercise, how to adjust it, and lift for life!

Here’s what’s included:

12 Weeks of Workouts

  • 2-3 workouts per week, 5-30 minutes each — we slowly add a little each week

  • minimal equipment needed, so you can do it at home or at the gym

  • demo videos for each exercise, along with options to help you adjust!

  • access to the TrueCoach platform, through app (Android/Apple) or desktop

Weekly Community Calls

  • Mondays at 6pm CST, 60 minutes, recorded + summarized so you don’t miss a thing!

  • check in on how things are going

  • learn + ask questions about strength training fundamentals

  • connect with other BEGINners so you know you’re not alone in the learning process

Non-diet Coaching

  • receive personalized coaching comments from Barb on each completed workout

  • get cheered on from the sidelines, no micromanagement included 🎉

  • expert advice from almost 10 years of experience + education

  • compassionate, adaptable, and inclusive approach

Sandra Q.

"I would recommend BEGIN to anyone who wants to get stronger, move more consistently, and has been too scared or overwhelmed to start.

Rachel O.

“BEGIN showed me all the many places perfectionism shows up in my movement practice (and beyond), and provided a safe space to challenge that mindset…The whole BEGIN experience felt so supportive and transformative to me.”

Howdy! Barb here.

Can I be honest with you?

I got into fitness as a college student, with just a major in public health and a dream to teach folks how the gym can help them gain more strength and self-trust — not to lose, shrink, and burn.

Starting in 2015, I taught thousands of people with their own unique bodies, preferences, and goals, all without weighing, measuring, or taking pictures of their bodies. But then I started to notice that while I could teach a bomb-ass class or session, my clients didn’t always feel equipped and confident to do this strength thing on their own.

Finally, in 2023, I decided enough was enough. I would create a program that would actually demystify strength training and this whole “listening to your body thing.” 27 people enrolled in the first round.

And now? I want the same for you. That’s why I created BEGIN.

Let’s do this, partner 🤠

who this program is (and isn’t for):

  • you love the support of a group and coach

  • you’re ready to give it your good-enough effort

  • you’re okay with trying exercises on your own

you should definitely join if…

  • you’re more of a lone wolf

  • you want something intense, challenging, and fast-paced

  • you need a more individualized plan + accountability to accommodate your needs

you might want to wait to join if…

price

$649 in full

$216/mo, 3-month payment plan

join the waitlist

  • Alright — this is definitely more than a globo gym membership. It’s okay if this is the most you’ve ever invested into your health + fitness education! This isn’t priced low because the value isn’t low. I wanted you to get as much support as possible — without it being personal training, which is more $$$.

    I’d love for you to add up what you’ve already spent on fitness — classes, apps, templates, books, coaches, equipment, you name it — and think about which ones you actually did + continued to use. My hope is that BEGIN is more than a workout program — it’s community, education, and coaching support. Friends, knowledge, and mindset reframes that you can take with you for LIFE.

    I’d say that’s worth it. And if you agree, but need financial assistance, please reach out.

  • We may technically all have 24 hours in a day, but I completely get that that’s different for everyone. For example: parents + caretakers, shift workers + busy professionals, folks with disabilities or chronic illness — you need a plan that doesn’t just chalk up your “I don’t have time” as an excuse, but a legitimate barrier to work around.

    The good news? I’ve created BEGIN with you in mind. We start week one with 2 5-minute days to get familiar with the warm ups. For the following 11 weeks, we sloooowly add time, while practicing our all-or-something mindset + self-compassion along the way.

    All in all, the workouts are 15-30 minutes twice a week, with an optional third workout in Month 3. Our weekly 60-minute calls are recorded (so you catch up by listening on 2x speed) AND summarized in a Google doc so you can read it instead.

    If you truly don’t have 1-2 hours/week to spare, no worries. But just think what investing a couple hours (way less than what Fitness Chad would say you need to see “results”) into your strength would mean for Future You.

  • While only you can decide if you’re ready, willing, and able, I do know this. I work with everyday people who don’t give a rat’s ass about winning a gold medal or whether they’ve got the most defined abs on the beach.

    I help people get strong enough to carry their groceries + kitty litter with ease, to get down on the floor to play with their kids, and to feel like they can say YES to that hike with their friends.

    It’s okay if you don’t think of yourself as a Gym Rat and that you’d rather knit a sweater or read a cozy book on the couch. Strength can help you live whatever life you’re already living, easier. That includes healthier (and less painful) joints, stronger bones, better sleep, more energy, mental health support…should I go on?

    My favorite phrase is: fuck around and find out. You sometimes need to try a thing before you can honestly decide if it’s for (or not for) you. I believe in you to give it a shot.

  • A pair of dumbbells. That’s it.

    How much weight? Whatever you can afford. Weights are more expensive the heavier they are, so I recommend something you can lift with your arms (usually 5-10 pounds) and something you can lift with your legs (usually 10+ pounds).

    Nice to haves:

    a mat for floor/kneeling exercises

    a yoga block and/or foam roller

    a resistance band (like this or that)

    a workout bench or chair

    Please keep in mind that I’ve taught virtual sessions since 2020 — I know how to use any household item in a pinch if you don’t have access to the above.

FAQ

  • 12 weeks of workouts to give you gentle structure

    12 weekly 60-min calls (+ a Send-off Call!) to reflect, share, and learn — just like you would in a class!

    Weekly check-ins so you can practice checking in, not checking out when things don’t go to plan

    3 months of TrueCoach access as your one-stop-shop for the whole program

    Coaching comments on completed workouts, Monday-Friday, from Barb to answer any questions, get encouragement, and stay on track!

    A group of non-diet pals working towards the same goal so you’re not alone 💛

  • I’m glad you asked! The fitness industry can be pretty unregulated. All the certifications below are up-to-date:

    ACE-certified Personal Trainer

    ACE-certified Behavior Change Specialist

    Girls Gone Strong Certified Women’s Coaching Specialist

    Girls Gone Strong Certified Pre- and Postnatal Coach

    Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor

    BA from Vanderbilt University, majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society (Public Health) and minoring in Communications

    Almost 10 years of coaching experience with general population clients (neurodivergent, trauma history, eating disorder history, health conditions like diabetes and PCOS, LGBTQ+)

  • No refunds issued once the program starts. I do my absolute best to make sure you know what you’re signing up for way in advance!

  • Sweet! Please email me at barb@thenondiettrainer.com, and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours, Monday through Friday.

are you ready to BEGIN?

12 weeks of workouts

(a $297 value)

12 weeks of calls

(a $1200 value)

12 weeks of coaching

(a $597 value)

A non-diet community

(PRICELESS)

over $2,000 of value for less than a third of the price…what are you waiting for?