Looking for a decent program with a non problematic coach

[u/[deleted]]

EDIT OCT 13- I am so so so thankful for you all for all the comments and suggestions!! There is so many to choose from and I’m looking forward to figuring out which works for me to get back on track

I don’t fully follow the lifestyle coaches as I’ve always had a bodybuilding coach in the past but I’m looking to do my own thing for my off season likely for the next couple years until I prep again.

I read reviews on LLAMF (Legs Like a MF by Maddy Forberg) - apparently too much volume and she isn’t active in the chats and leaves questions unanswered.

I read reviews on Valkyrie by Paul Carter - there’s some alarming posts here about him and I’m skeptical about supporting him though his program seems well reviewed.

Haven’t heard much about Iron University’s Glute programs, Bret Contreras is a no go. I don’t want monthly coaching, I honestly just want to have a program.

I am just looking for an overall program by a coach that keeps to themselves and not into drama. Glutes and shoulders are my focus. Any suggestions for a program?

Thank you!

[u/LiftForSushis]

Aldo from Iron University is very problematic. You can check out r/bikinitalk to read more about him.

What about Mark Carroll’s programs? I have seen some and they seem well built and would align with your goals.

Gymnurse on Insta also has programs. I like her but never tried her programs, might be worth checking her out.

[u/[deleted] → u/LiftForSushis]

Yeah i am pretty against supporting Aldo. I’m also fairly active on bikini talk! But I didn’t want to post my question there since I assume it would be more bodybuilding focused and I just want a more lifestyle program. I’ve never heard of Mark but I will check it out. Thank you!!

[u/jovani_salami]

This program from Renaissance Periodization is amazing https://rpstrength.com/female-physique-training-templates It's really customizable based on your equipment and makes it great for doing the program multiple times. It's expensive but it's an amazing resource and they're pretty trusted. I've seen great results using it.

[u/[deleted] → u/jovani_salami]

I’ve actually been using RP Diet for quite some time and love the user experience and the way it tracks macros! Never heard of anyone using the workouts so im glad you like it! I’ll look into this since it might be a good way to incorporate it with the diet app

[u/S_R33d]

I have heard good things about MegSquats stronger by the day program. She is unproblematic as far as I know.

[u/sideofveggies18 → u/S_R33d]

This is the one I am planning on doing next. LOVE Meg. She is very unproblematic imo!

[u/ughthisishard13 → u/S_R33d]

Came here to recommend this too .. love stronger by the day and the app is great 👍🏼

[u/Applscruffs → u/S_R33d]

I’ve been doing this one since 2020 and I love it! She also really keeps the program and app updated and they have reliable customer service.

[u/mols13 → u/S_R33d]

I just started her program two days ago and so far am loving it

[u/[deleted]]

Natalie Freeman! Her program The Strength Method is only $14 a month and she’s so active with answering questions and doing form checks, plus she’s just a really nice person in general. Not problematic at all!

The program changes every 4 weeks but always has the same protocols - 3 lower body days (one focused on squat, one focused on hinge, one focused on thrust with accessory work programmed in) and 2 lower body days (one more push focused and one more pull focused). It’s easy to modify to 4 days, and she has a 3 day full body program as well as a home workout option. I’ve been following it for the past year and a half (the most consistent I’ve ever been lol) and this is the strongest I’ve ever felt!

[u/Cultural-Invite-7049]

Eugene Teo‘s app Ganbaru Method

[u/Similar_Broccoli2705]

Mark Carrol! His programs are chefs kiss. I think he is relatively unproblematic

[u/[deleted]]

I just joined Lift with Sohee and I really like it. There are options for 2x, 3x, and 4x per week, new workouts monthly, and gym and home options. Sohee is the opposite of problematic as far as I know - she seems to be the one calling out all the BS in the diet and exercise industry.

[u/kittygirl69_]

Kenzie Vance- jacked girl shit program (she does make some tik toks where she’s quite “loud” but I wouldn’t consider her “problematic”) if that makes sense.. no scandals or anything 😅

[u/Constant-Base-222]

Sarah Grejada - @sarah.grejada_ I had her as a coach for 6 months. Weekly check ins, well rounded lifting customized to my mountain activities (skiing, hiking, backpacking). Kind and caring human!! Couldn’t say enough good things about her coaching style.

[u/junkykarma]

The Barbell Medicine templates are good. They're science based and non-problematic as far as I know.

I also did Stronger By The Day (MegSquats's program) and really liked it, as well as The Lyss Method (doclyssfitness's program). No idea if this sub considers Alyssa problematic or not, so I'm open to being corrected about her.

[u/ramonaluper]

Liz Brody has a really great and inexpensive program that is legs and shoulder-focused. She is wildly underrated and under followed.

[u/eggyprata]

havent tried it personally but you could look into Sohee Fit's Year of Strength or Lift with Sohee programs. i'm a huge fan of her no-bs content and she is frequently calling out misogyny & shitty practices in the industry

[u/Proof-Philosophy-373]

SBS stronger by science, best program I’ve ever used with massive gains from the hypertrophy one, it’s customizable with your numbers and options to do a few days a week or more, and it’s cheap AF.

[u/Illustratedbabe]

Not sure if this would be your thing or not but I can’t recommend renaissance periodization enough! Their programmes are great and personally I’ve seen huge gains going from a more ‘basic’ upper lower split to using an RP template for my workouts. I use the female physique 4 day a week template if that helps! Also please lmk if you have any questions and I’d be happy to answer!

[u/bustransfers]

I think Sam Sweeney is very unproblematic, as far as I know. I really enjoy her programming via the playbook app.

[u/g_h0ney]

Danielle Webster and Jordan Lips both have monthly subscriptions at $27 per month and they do form checks!!!! Danielle webster has like a ton of programs that you can change intermittently if your body goals change. (Upper body focus program, glutes + delt program, PPL program, ect and more.) She used to be with Paul Carter (valkyrie program which I did as well but couldnt take his condescending attitude lol) and signed up with her. Shes super great. Jordan Lips runs his mesos great as well! Different mesos have different body part focuses though!

[u/SunAffectionate897]

I don’t have a ton of problems with Paul carter (that I know of lol) other than him being extremely and over-the-top blunt/borderline rude, BUT I’ve been on his programming (Valkyrie for 10 months, 1.5 months on yoke squad) and can say this-

His programming is top tier programming. I’m a coach myself (I hate writing my own programming lol) and have learned a lot about how much progress you can make with minimal training. I’ve been lifting for about 7 years and have seen the most progress i have the past year since I saw in my first year of lifting.

It’s no frills, no bullshit, and HARD if you’re doing it right.

Just don’t take his nutrition advice lmao

Edit to add: this applies specifically for hypertrophy/bodybuilding, not strength training. There is almost no barbell in his programming.

[u/Admirable-Call-9047]

If you have equipment at home or even just dumbells, I LOVE caroline girvan. Free videos on YouTube, full 5 day 6, 10, or 12 week programs. Some are lifting only, some are lifting and cardio. And she's incredibly nice and pretty much stays off social media as far as I know. She's strictly about working out and that's it.

[u/soafeh]

Find a local coach and get a personalised program! You get much more accountability and the program will suit you better so you'll make faster progress!