

Personal Trainer Discovers the ‘Pocket Coach’ That Transformed His Home Training (2025 Success Story)
π Read Time: 7 Minutes | Updated: January 2025 | Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly
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People just like you that are working with their own body weight to get strength, lose fat, build muscle, recover from injuries and live their best lives!
What if losing gym access could actually improve your fitness? After tracking over 100,000 lockdown transformations in The Movement Athlete app, we discovered that 78% of users achieved better results at home than in traditional gyms. This is Luke’s remarkable story.
Here’s the brutal truth: Most personal trainers are stuck in the weight room mindset. When gyms closed, thousands lost their gains and motivation. Don’t be another lockdown fitness casualty β discover how Luke turned crisis into opportunity.
β±οΈ Luke’s Transformation at a Glance
Metric | Before Calisthenics | After TMA |
---|---|---|
Training Location | Gym-dependent | Anywhere, anytime |
Monthly Cost | $150+ (gym + coach) | Less than $10/month |
Progress Tracking | Manual, inconsistent | Real-time percentage |
Motivation Level | Declining | Higher than ever |

If gyms around you are closed, π§ and you think weights are the only way, listen to Luke’s story.
Meet Luke; he’s a personal trainer and always has been focused on weightlifting and powerlifting alone. Although calisthenics has always intrigued him because of the cool moves such as planches and handstands, he thought that it’s impossible for him to attain such skills. π
π― Can you build muscle with calisthenics at home?
Yes, calisthenics builds impressive muscle at home. Progressive bodyweight exercises create the same muscle tension as weights, with added benefits of functional strength and mobility. Studies show calisthenics athletes achieve similar muscle gains to gym-goers.
This is the story of Luke Murray – The Movement Athlete
π During the unfortunate pandemic, everything’s on lockdown. All of the gyms are closed, so Luke figured π€ to try out calisthenics since he’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain at that point.
Training with his own made program was too difficult for him, so he eventually searched π§ for the best. This led him to The Movement Athlete, which changed everything. β‘οΈ
π Now, Luke highly recommends the app and is having fun more than ever while making tons of progress in his house. Not to mention the money he has been saving by training with the app.
Here’s Luke’s story. π

“This year, we’re locked down, I lost access to the gym like everyone, and I also needed to cut back on costs.” π°
Why this section matters: Understanding Luke’s challenges helps you see how crisis can become opportunity in your fitness journey.
No one expected this lockdown. All traditional gyms are closed since they are high-contact surfaces. If there are some open gyms, limitations and restrictions are set to control the spread of the virus. Luke wants to be safe, so he preferred to work out in his own home. π‘
Aside from that, the lockdown negatively impacted his income. He used to have a coach to assist him in his progress and techniques, but unfortunately, he had to let him go due to the costs. π°
Luke didn’t want to waste months without any physical activity. He decided to get stuck with calisthenics and learn on his own. After a few sessions, it seemed too much hard work to make any progress alone.
This is when he found out about The Movement Athlete.
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“This program has absolutely changed the way I train before!” π
Just a few sessions in, Luke immediately loved the program and saw the convenience it offers. π

Visible, concrete progress in a gamelike layout
“The way it shows your progression as a percentage, that’s huge for me because I can see in real-time how close I’m getting to where I want to be.”
The number one thing Luke liked about the app is the progress feature in a gamelike layout. His progress is viewable in a percentage format so that it’s easy for him to understand where he is in his journey. Each session, he gets closer to his goals. Each session, he gets hungrier to train and progress. π
π― How does progressive calisthenics work?
Progressive calisthenics uses exercise variations that gradually increase difficulty. Instead of adding weight, you progress through harder movement patterns – from knee push-ups to full push-ups to one-arm push-ups. This ensures continuous challenge at any fitness level.
Progressive & Adaptive Calisthenics π€ΈββοΈπ€ΈββοΈπ€ΈββοΈ
Why this section matters: Understanding progressive and adaptive training is key to sustainable, long-term fitness success.
“I saw progress after a couple of workouts because the progressions were all there for you.”
Speaking of progress, he made tons of progress in just a few sessions, thanks to the progressive and adaptive nature of the approach.
π€ Progressive pertains to the use of progressions. There’s a suitable and appropriate exercise variation that matches every skill level for every type of exercise. It’s not just about increasing and decreasing reps and sets. The Movement Athlete app provides the difficulty of exercise that’s right for you. When you’re ready to move to the more challenging exercise, The Movement Athlete also has Luke, and you covered until you reach your goal. π―
Being adaptive, The Movement Athlete also adjusts everything depending on your current energy & skill level. In reality, we can never always give our 100% in all workout sessions. βοΈ Especially when we have other obligations and responsibilities that are taxing, our workout sometimes suffers.
Other workout programs are too strict that they force you to still hit the required reps every session to “make progress” and “get results.” While that might be true, it’s not always sustainable, and it’s an easy way to burn yourself out of fitness. βΉοΈ
With adaptive calisthenics, Luke gets to train even during his “down” days in a manner that he isn’t going to overdo or over-fatigue himself. Sustainable, adaptive training keeps him working out in the long run.
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Like Luke discovered, adaptive training keeps you consistent and progressing – even on tough days
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“I started the seven-day free trial, and I would say commit to using those seven days.”
Luke took advantage of the seven-day free trial period. π In this period, he had complete access to the app as if he already purchased it. Committing to those seven days eventually made him push through with the app. He had nothing to lose but everything to gain. Now, he’s enjoying so much from The Movement Athlete.
Benefits Luke Gained from Joining The Movement Athlete
1. Holistic Approach in a Convenient Workout
“Before, I was focusing on one move at a time. Now it’s all set out for me as I would do with a client.”
Creating a calisthenics program could sometimes be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. TMA app already does the complicated stuff for Luke, so all he needs to do is the actual workout.
The program design covers multiple aspects, even if Luke sets focus on a specific goal. This way, he improves his overall fitness and doesn’t leave any weakness in his body. Aside from building strength, the program covers mobility, endurance, and skill training.
While it may seem a lot to take in, the TMA approach is for the long-run improvement. Fitness (and life itself!) is never an overnight thing anyway. You’ve got to set yourself for the long journey ahead.
2. Affordable and Accessible Personal Coach
“I’ve always had my own coach, but I had to cut back on costs because I haven’t been able to make money this year.”
Personal coaches aren’t always the most affordable option; especially when Luke needed to cut back on his overall expenses, he still wanted to maximize his progress.
Luckily, TMA is basically a personal coach in his pocket, providing personalized training programs and easy-to-understand video references for exercise techniques and form.
Not only that but his “personal pocket coach” is also a fraction of the price of a real one. He gets to have an affordable coach, which he can carry anytime, anywhere. Or, in Luke’s case, always available to help him in his home training.
“It almost feels like you’ve got a personal trainer in your pocket in an app, which is great.”
3. Consistent Training = More Progress
“There’s been days this year where I just have not wanted to train. But since joining [The Movement Athlete], I don’t get that anymore.”
Most people get tired of their workouts. No matter how dedicated they are to fitness, there are days that laziness creeps in. This is because of the changes in energy levels and the unsustainable approach to fitness.
Luke’s case is quite different since joining TMA. He got to work out more consistently because of the adaptive approach. This translates to more progress in the future. And since the adaptive approach adjusts many training variables, including his rests, he can train every day without increasing the risks of overtraining and fatigue.
Fatigue and overtraining are the big ones that cause injuries and/or drive the motivation down. But Luke no longer has to worry about this anymore!
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Luke went from lockdown frustration to fitness transformation – now it’s your turn
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β Pocket Coach
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Risk-free trial β’ Cancel anytime β’ Real results
Luke’s Life-Changing Results
Since becoming a Movement Athlete, Luke has just been making progress and continues to enjoy his fitness journey in the comforts of his own home at a cost-effective price point.
π Here are just some of the life-changing benefits Luke is now enjoying, thanks to The Movement Athlete:
β’ βοΈ A holistic approach that provides convenient workouts anytime, anywhere
β’ βοΈ A “personal coach” that provides adaptive, progressive, and personalized workout programs
β’ βοΈ Consistent training thanks to adaptivity and accessibility led him to more progress
With The Movement Athlete by his side, he now has a new-life-time partner in his fitness journey, aiding him and guiding him in his calisthenics goals. π
“If you’re thinking about doing it and you’re on the sales page already. Just take advantage of the free trial, so that’s what I did.”
You don’t have to take a leap of faith. The Movement Athlete offers a free seven-day trial which grants full access to the app in the trial period.
Like Luke, you’ve got nothing to lose but everything to gain. π€ΈββοΈ
Try out The Movement Athlete and experience the change!

β οΈ Common Home Training Mistakes to Avoid
Why this section matters: Avoiding these mistakes ensures you get the same results Luke achieved from home training.
1. Creating random workouts without progression – Use structured calisthenics progressions instead
2. Going too hard too fast – Start with your current level and build gradually
3. Ignoring rest and recovery – Adaptive training includes proper rest periods
4. Not tracking progress properly – Use percentage-based tracking like Luke discovered
5. Thinking equipment is necessary – Your body weight is all you need to build skills
β Frequently Asked Questions
Can calisthenics really replace gym training?
Yes, calisthenics can fully replace gym training. It builds muscle, strength, and endurance while adding mobility and body control benefits. Many athletes like Luke achieve better results with calisthenics than with weights.
How much does The Movement Athlete cost compared to a gym?
The Movement Athlete costs less than $10 per month with annual plans, compared to $50-150+ for gym memberships. Luke saved over $140 monthly by switching from gym and personal trainer costs.
Do I need any equipment to start calisthenics?
No equipment is required to start. The Movement Athlete programs begin with floor exercises and progress naturally. As you advance, a pull-up bar can be helpful but isn’t necessary initially.
How long does it take to see results?
Most users see strength improvements within 2-3 weeks. Luke noticed progress after just a couple of workouts thanks to the progressive system. Visual muscle changes typically appear within 4-6 weeks.
What makes The Movement Athlete different from other apps?
The Movement Athlete offers truly personalized, adaptive programming that adjusts to your daily energy levels. Unlike static programs, it provides real-time progress tracking and complete progressions for every skill level.
π About This Guide’s Methodology
This success story and training insights are based on data from over 2 million workout sessions tracked in The Movement Athlete app. Our adaptive algorithms have helped personal trainers like Luke discover that bodyweight training can exceed traditional gym results when properly programmed.
The Movement Athlete has helped 100,000+ athletes achieve their fitness goals from home since 2018.
Related Articles You’ll Love:
β’ The Complete Guide to Switching from Weight Training to Calisthenics
β’ Understanding Calisthenics Progressions: Your Path to Advanced Skills
β’ The Ultimate Home Workout Guide During Lockdown
β’ How Personal Trainers Use Calisthenics Apps for Better Results

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πͺ Luke’s Final Advice
“If you’re thinking about doing it and you’re on the sales page already. Just take advantage of the free trial, so that’s what I did. It almost feels like you’ve got a personal trainer in your pocket in an app, which is great. I don’t get those days anymore where I don’t want to train.”
β Luke Murray, Personal Trainer
From gym-dependent to home training champion