Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren George
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began college as an International Studies and Spanish major, but everything changed my freshman year when I took a step aerobics class. I was hooked. I immediately switched my major to Sports Management, signed up for Texas A&M’s fitness instructor training course, and started teaching group fitness the following summer. From that moment, I knew I’d found my place—and my people.
From the beginning, my mission has been simple: create group fitness experiences where everyone feels welcome, finds joy in movement, and leaves class feeling empowered. I believe fitness is more than just a workout—it’s an opportunity to support both physical and mental well-being. As instructors, we have the privilege of offering people that one hour in their day where they can feel strong, seen, and successful.
While at Texas A&M, I joined a mentorship program that ignited my love for developing new instructors. After graduation, I went to grad school at the University of North Texas and landed my first full-time job as Group Fitness Coordinator at Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center in Dallas. My career later took me to Florida State University, where I led their group fitness department, and eventually to Austin, TX, where I managed a barre and Pilates studio.
In 2015, I took a leap into fitness education, launching my first barre training program, PulsePointe Barre. It was incredible to return to my passion for helping instructors grow and expand their skills. In 2017, after moving to South Carolina, I opened my first studio, Clemson Fitness Company, with my business partner Leigh O’Brien. Our studio became a hub for innovative group fitness classes, offering 40-50 classes a week across formats like barre, TRX, strength, and yoga. We built a welcoming community, regularly hosted free fitness events, and helped many people experience group fitness for the first time.
That same year, PulsePointe Barre was acquired by Savvier Fitness and merged with Barre Above. Together, we expanded our team, revamped programming, and established Barre Above as one of the leading barre education programs in the country.
In 2020, we moved to Starkville, MS, and transitioned to virtual classes during the pandemic. What started as a few online barre challenges quickly evolved into launching my own virtual studio, Lauren George Fitness, in 2021. Today, LGF has over 500 workouts in 12 different formats, along with quarterly challenges, monthly programs, and live-stream classes. My focus has been creating an online community that mirrors the connection and camaraderie of in-person group fitness—and I’m so proud of the global community we’ve built together.
Also in 2021, I helped develop Pumped Up Strength, a rhythmic resistance training format that’s as fun to teach as it is to take. In 2024, Tricia Murphy Madden and I purchased Barre Above, Pumped Up Strength, and Balletone from Savvier Fitness and launched Fit Pro Programming (FPP). Our mission with FPP is to bridge exercise science with engaging, accessible fitness programs that are easy for instructors to teach and fun for participants to experience.
Since then, we’ve expanded to include Human Reformer Pilates, Ever Flexed, and Swerve Cycling, and grown our team to 60 Program Specialists who lead our certifications across the country.
In addition to running FPP and LGF, I’ve had the honor of serving as adjunct faculty for Clemson University in Non-Profit Leadership and Mississippi State University in Kinesiology.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but every bump has shaped who I am today. One of the biggest misconceptions about being a fitness instructor is that it’s “just a hobby.” What many people don’t see is the hard work behind the scenes—whether it’s preparing for classes, managing a team, or running a brick-and-mortar (or virtual!) studio. It’s a constant balancing act between being an instructor and a business owner, and switching hats quickly is a must.
One of my greatest challenges—and also one of my biggest growth opportunities—has been moving frequently for my husband’s job. Starting over in a new city every few years isn’t easy, but it’s forced me to reinvent myself and my career each time. Those experiences pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, opened doors I might never have walked through otherwise, and shaped me into the business owner I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lauren George Fitness & Fit Pro Programming?
I’m fortunate to own two businesses that allow me to combine my passion for fitness, education, and community.
The first is the LG Fitness Virtual Studio, an on-demand and live-streaming workout platform designed to bring high-quality group fitness classes right to your living room—or wherever you like to move! We offer over 500 workouts inside our app, spanning 12 different formats including Pilates, barre, strength, HIIT, kickboxing, yoga, dance, and more. Members can follow monthly workout calendars, jump into pop-up livestream classes, or join one of our popular quarterly fitness challenges. What truly sets our virtual studio apart is the strong sense of community we’ve built. My goal since launching in 2021 has been to create an online space that feels just as personal and motivating as an in-person studio. From weekly check-ins, personalized member shout-outs, and an active Facebook group, to community happy hours and live classes, our global LG Fitness family supports and uplifts one another every step of the way.
The second company I co-own with my business partner, Tricia Madden, is Fit Pro Programming (FPP). We specialize in fitness education and certifications for group fitness instructors. Our six brands—Barre Above, Pumped Up Strength, Balletone, Human Reformer Pilates, Ever Flexed, and Swerve Cycling—offer innovative, science-backed programming that’s both fun to teach and inclusive for every participant. Our mission at FPP is to bridge cutting-edge exercise science with approachable, creative fitness formats. We empower instructors with simple, effective tools to lead safe, engaging classes that keep participants coming back.
What I’m most proud of—whether through LG Fitness or FPP—is helping people fall in love with movement, while also supporting fitness professionals in building thriving careers and communities.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The Covid-19 crisis completely reshaped my career and businesses—in ways I never expected, but for the better! Honestly, I was hesitant at first to step into the virtual fitness space. I worried it might signal the end of the tight-knit community vibe I loved so much about group fitness. But while the industry has undoubtedly changed, many of those changes have been incredibly positive.
Teaching virtually through my LG Fitness app has opened up opportunities to connect and move with people from all over the world, including friends in cities I’ve moved away from. For Fit Pro Programming, shifting to virtual certifications and workshops has allowed us to reach more instructors globally—not just those in big U.S. cities—making our trainings more accessible than ever. It’s also helped us deliver more continuing education and launch new formats faster and more efficiently.
And on a personal level, I’m so grateful. Going virtual has allowed me to continue doing the work I love while having more time at home with my two daughters and my husband. It’s been a game-changer, and I’m thankful for the growth and connection this challenge brought to both my career and my family life.
Pricing:
- $12.99 a month for an unlimited membership for my LG Fitness app
- Fit Pro Programming Certifications range from $249 – $349 depending on the format
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurengfitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengeorgefitness/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenelizabethgeorge/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenGeorgefitness
- Other: https://www.fitproprogramming.com
Image Credits
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