Welcome to Tough Love Training with Coach Ryan
(He/Him/His)
PROUDLY QUEER OWNED AND QUEER FOCUSED COACHING!
Why Tough?
Because strength comes in many forms. It’s impossible to get strong without doing the work, building a routine, sticking to it, doing a little more each time.
Why Love?
Because strength can come with understanding, intelligence and nurturing. You don’t need toxic people or environments. You shouldn’t have to feel self-hatred, or guilty, or rushed to feel strong.
Why Training?
Because…it’s…you know….training.
TLT Blog: Why do we need Queer-focused training?
So I’m pretty proud of what I do for a living. I’m a gay personal trainer and strength coach in Toronto and I like training queer folk in my little gym. I end up talking about what I do quite often because it’s part of the job and I think it’s really interesting. Most of the responses are pretty great, but I often asked a type of question (usually with good intentions) in some form by both straight folk and gay men.
Why does it need to be Queer only?
Digging a bit deeper, they may be actually asking something a bit more specific. Something like…
“Will you train a straight guy like me?”
“I’m gay and I feel fine in gyms so this seems unneccessary”
“My gym is full of gay guys so I don’t get it”
“Shouldn’t we strive to be more inclusive, and less exclusive?
Meet Coach Ryan
After a career in advertising, selling people crap food and shitty products they never needed or wanted, I got sick of making people sick and decided to do a total 180.
I decided to use my 10+ years of strength training and powerlifting experience to help others understand their potential, get strong and feel confident in a gym.
Why? Because I never used to. The first time I stepped into a gym I was morbidly obese and a chain smoker. I hated it. I hated the trainer. I hated the music. I hated the whole building.
I remember what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Like you don’t belong in a loud, sweaty, aggressive space. Like everything you’re doing is wrong. I also know what it feels like to learn that you belong there as much as anyone else, that you can get strong and feel awesome doing it.
I won’t give up on you. I’ll push back when you give an excuse to cancel or give up a little too early. I won’t make it easy, but I promise everything I say and do is meant make you feel good AFTER the workout and together we'll get you closer to your goals, day by day.
NEWS! Ryan is now a founder, owner and Personal Trainer in Toronto at Motus Training Studio
I’ve experienced some of my most intense workouts at Tough Love and I’ve also made some great friendships along the way. Ryan has created an inclusive space and programming that takes into consideration my limitations. Highly recommend sessions with him.
-STEVE
Services
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1:1 Training - Introduction to training
Not experienced? Gym Virgin? Want to get good at your own pace in your own style?
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1:1 Training - Bodybuilding
Want to pump some iron and get the body of your dreams? Want to make your ex jealous?
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1:1 Training - Big Strength
Want to get really really ridiculously strong with big lifts? This is for you.
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2:1 Couples Training
Train with a lover, a partner, a frienemie. It’s cost effective and fun.
Ryan's a great trainer and a great coach. He can demystify intimidating things (like heavy lifts) and he always ensures that things are done safely. AND in case that sounds boring, please also understand that working with Ryan is, above all else, joyful.
— Todd
Small Space. Big Difference.
I’m a co-owner of Motus Training Studios. 2 small studio spaces in the Junction Triangle in Toronto’s west end. The spaces are very well equipped and designed for you to focus on your practice away from crowds, bad music, and watching eyes.
My training sessions with Ryan were empowering. He not only helped me with weight training but was an enormous support and cheerleader as I went through transition. As a trans guy, gyms and training can be so intimidating but Ryan’s kindness and support were amazing. We had a lot of good laughs too which makes any work out just that much better!
— Judah
TOUGH LOVE TRAINING TOOTS AND BOOTS
Toot: Getting the body you want
Boot: Any kind of body shaming, being pressured to physically conform to any standards, lose weight, look masc, look fem, etc
Toot: Asking and sharing pronouns
Boot: Outdated assumptions anything about anyone
Toot: Investing in yourself with customized approaches & personalized programming
Boot: One size fits all approaches to very different bodies, personalities & experiences.
Toot: Making fitness spaces, bathrooms, changerooms, etc more accessible and more inviting to those traditionally made to feel uncomfortable.
Boot: The same old spaces to make the same old people comfy at the expense of everyone else.
Toot: Cute Socks
Boot: Not cute socks.
Toot: Science based, reasonable, INCREMENTAL changes that lasts forever and becomes a practice you can stick to long term.
Boot: Steroids, fads, empty promises, quick fixes, hijinx, shenanigans & fitness industry tomfoolery
DPD (Diva per Deadlift)
“Only Coach Ryan has 220% more Britney per Deadlift.”
Measuring CSPS (Cute Socks per squat)
Ryan is an excellent trainer, and Motus is a wonderful place. Ryan is thoughtful and encouraging, while also challenging me to go beyond what I was used to doing instead of avoiding the lifts and weights I was scared of. (It turns out I’m a lot stronger than I thought!). He's also fun and warm, which makes going to train something to look forward to instead of a chore.
— Doug
Don’t be shy, Get in touch:
Click here to send me a message or ask a question
Follow: Instagram TikTok
“He’s mean and very unpleasant but I keep coming back so I guess he’s good at this.”
— Randy
