Month: November 2025

Let’s talk about the real struggle in the gym…

Not deadlifts. Not squats.
Unloading. The. Barbell. 

If you’ve ever finished a heavy set only to wonder why putting the plates away feels harder than the lift itself, you are VERY not alone.

We put together a quick (and hilarious) video to show you exactly how to make unloading safer, easier, and way less annoying.

 Watch here

Here are the key tips from the video:

Tip #1: Stand outside the bar, squat down, brace your core, and pull the plates toward you. And yes… watch your toes. 

Tip #2: When you’ve got a lot of plates stacked up, slide a smaller plate or deadlift wedge underneath to lift the bar slightly – everything will glide right off.

Tip #3: Once one side is unloaded, take both clips off and gently tip the bar to the side to slide it away easily.

Bonus: You’ll look like an absolute pro doing it. 

We’re all about using your energy smartly in the gym.

If you have questions about barbell setup or anything on the floor, reply back! We’re always here to help. 

Happy lifting! 

Every once in a while, we pause to remind ourselves why we do what we do here at SSP. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day – the workouts, the business goals, the PRs – but none of those are the most important thing we do.

The most important thing we do is help people feel seen, safe, and part of a community that believes they are capable of more than they think they are.

Strength training is just the vehicle – what we’re really building is confidence, connection, and belonging.

When you walk through our doors, we see you. Not just the version that shows up to train, but the human behind it – the parent, the professional, the teammate, the friend. And every time you show up, you remind us why this place matters.

Of course, people see incredible results at SSP, and we hear those stories every day. But at the end of the day, none of that matters if you don’t feel safe, supported, and part of something bigger. Our goal has always been to create a space that feels like yours where coaches and members alike are rooting for you every single day.

Thank you for being part of this community. We’re proud to do this work with you and to build spaces that not only serve our neighborhoods, but truly feel like a second home.

It’s officially the “Big Dark” season here in Seattle, and with that comes a very normal dip in motivation and energy for many of us. First things first: this is completely normal so try not to beat yourself up about it.

Our SSP coaches experience the same thing, and we’re here to help you keep moving, feeling strong, and staying connected through it.

We just shared some of our favorite tips on how to stay motivated and in your routine during the colder, darker months:

 Do less, some days. Adjust your intensity to match your energy – something is always better than nothing.
 Use your high-motivation days wisely. Schedule workouts, prep meals, or plan ahead for the lower-energy days.
 Move with friends. Accountability + community = magic during the winter.
 Find your rituals. A great playlist, a pre-workout snack, or stacking movement with another habit can keep the spark alive.

Moving your body is one of the best ways to combat seasonal blues, boost energy, and connect with your community, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

 Check out our full post on Instagram for all the details, coach tips, and a few ways we’re staying motivated too!

This week we’re focusing on lateral, or frontal plane, movements – the ones that help you move side-to-side with strength, balance, and control.

Frontal plane training is key for building stability in the hips, knees, and core, and it directly improves how we move in everyday life, from changing direction on the field to carrying groceries up the stairs.

Two of the most common questions we get during sessions is:
 “How wide or narrow should my stance be?”
 “How far should I be stepping?”

Coach Natalie breaks down both of these in this week’s video, explaining how to find the right stance width for your body and how to control your depth for the best strength and joint protection. 

 Watch the Video Here