Meet Rach Ballard | Chin-Up Training – Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rach Ballard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rach, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind Chin-Up Training was an evolution of ideas over about eight years, even before I became a personal trainer. I had started my own fitness journey in about 2015, and began to slowly envision what my ideal environment would be like. I had a fairly nomadic lifestyle at the time, living in four different states over the span of several years, which gave me the opportunity to work and train in dozens of different gyms around the country. With each space I took away what I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy about the environment, and was always looking for that “perfect” fit. After becoming a personal trainer and learning more about the fitness industry, I started to realize that I could create my own ideal space, something where people could come to feel strong in their bodies without the pressure of a traditional fitness atmosphere. From there, I took the concept of Chin-Up Training and ran with it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The greatest joy of my life comes from helping and supporting others, but the journey to find the best modality for me to express that hasn’t been easy or straightforward. For years I struggled with finding my path and my purpose in the world. I eventually became an EMT with the intention of being there for people during some of their darkest moments. During that time I was able to see how many health-related issues could have been prevented through people prioritizing their well-being before it got to the point where they were in the back of an ambulance. I used the foundation of anatomy and physiology that I had learned as an EMT and started doing personal training as a side-job, absolutely falling in love with it. Immediately I felt at home in the profession, and had an overwhelming certainty that helping people feel strong, secure, and connected to their bodies was what I was supposed to be doing with my life.

I’m most proud of the work I’ve done with senior women. Selfishly, they’re such a rewarding demographic. They come from an era where women were discouraged from feeling connected to their bodies, and a time when thinness and being as small as possible were prioritized. I love teaching them to strength train, and am honored when I get to watch the evolution of their progress and see them do things on a daily basis that they didn’t think they were physically capable of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d be so excited to show them the city! Denver is a place that has so much to offer and I’m proud to call it home. It would be challenging to get all my favorite things into a week, but if I could it would look something like this –

Monday – Beat the weekend rush and spend the day in Breckenridge. We’d explore the town and hopefully hit one of my all-time favorite hikes, Mohawk Lakes.

Tuesday – Spend the day taking in some sunshine at Cheesman Park

Wednesday – Definitely a trip to the Botanic Gardens

Thursday – Hopefully catch an Ave’s game!

Friday (Preferably a First Friday) – The Santa Fe Art Walk to check out a bunch of rad local artists

Saturday – Drinks at Hazel in Platt Park, or right down the street at Town Hall Collective

Sunday – I play ice hockey for the raddest team in Denver, The Slices. We play Sunday nights, so I’d invite them to check out one of our games!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d first love to shoutout the other professionals working out of Chin-Up Training. Personal trainers Shadi Bailey, Jayd Flotte, Shelby Mendoza, and our wonderful physical therapist Dr. Danielle Fuselier. You all have been with me throughout a lot of changes at Chin-Up Training and have been patient and supportive the entire time.

My parents, without whom none of this would be possible. Thank you for always encouraging me to follow what makes me happy.

Our members, who make up the heart and soul of Chin-Up Training. You’re who truly bring all the good vibes.

Sharon Sontheimer, who has followed and supported me throughout this journey. Working with you has been one of the greatest joys of my career.

Elizabeth Neverbloom, thank you for your hours dedicated to photoshoots to represent us, and for never missing a chance to give us a shoutout.

Finally, Sara Bisenius. I came to you with an idea and you showed me how to make it real. Thank you for finding a way to manage me.

Website: https://www.chinuptraining.com/

Instagram: @chinuptrainingdenver

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChinupTrainingDenver

Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@chinuptrainingdenver

Image Credits
Elizabeth Neverbloom, Nants Foley, Pat Foley, Alex Middleton