A lot of parents in Wangara, Greenwood, Landsdale and Tapping skip the gym entirely because they can't sort childcare. That's the real barrier, not motivation. At LIFT Gym Wangara, there's a fenced outdoor playground right beside the gym, you can see it from the training floor, and your kids stay in your care the whole time you train.
What the playground actually looks like
The playground is outdoors, fenced, and sits directly beside the gym at Unit 3/7 Finlay Place. You can see the playground from where you're training, so you're never guessing whether your child is okay. For parents with very young children, there's also a play pen with indoor toys inside the gym, which means even new babies can come along. One member, Thais P., put it this way: "Lift is also baby/kid friendly. I am a new mama and being able to bring my girl to the gym when needed with me is a bonus!!" Another member, Chloe R., added: "A huge bonus is that I can bring my kids with me, which means working out is no longer something I have to miss because of childcare. It's made such a difference."
What the playground is not: it's not childminding. There's no staff looking after your children while you're in class. You stay responsible for them the whole time, so you need to be comfortable that your kids can manage playing independently for a 45 minute coached session while you're nearby.
Is there a class time that fits around school and daycare?
Yes. The timetable has options across the day that work around school drop off and pick up.
If you want to train before the day starts, Strength and Conditioning classes run Monday to Friday at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:15 am. There's also a 9:15 am class Monday to Friday that falls after the school drop off window, once the kids are at school. Afternoon classes run Monday to Thursday at 4:30 and 5:30 pm, which works if you're bringing children to play in the playground after pick up. Saturday has a 7:00 am class for a weekend session before the rest of the day fills up.
Members book classes through the LIFT app up to two weeks ahead, so you can plan your week around the kids' schedule rather than scrambling the night before.
A 45 minute class, with your kids right beside the building
Every Strength and Conditioning class at LIFT is 45 coached minutes. Chris Goodall or Lisa Liu coaches every class. When you arrive, your coach goes through any injuries or limitations and sets your weights before the session starts, so you're not standing around unsure what to do while keeping half an eye on the kids.
Lower intensity options are always available, and you work at your own level. If you need to take a longer rest, you take it. The coaching approach is deliberate about this: you're not trying to keep up with anyone else, you're building a baseline that suits where you are right now. For a parent who's been out of training for a year or two, that approach makes more difference than any equipment.
Can your child or teenager train too?
Young people can join a class, with a few rules depending on age. Children aged 10 to 12 can train in the same class as a parent or guardian, booked by calling 0468 000 770. Ages 13 to 15 can also train in the same class as an adult, booked online with a parent or guardian. Young people aged 16 and 17 can train on their own. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian signs the pre-exercise questionnaire, and young people can use their first session for free just like adults.
For families where a young person in the 13 to 15 age bracket wants to give strength training a go, the whole family can train in the same coached class at the same time, rather than organising separate arrangements at separate places.
How do parents usually start?
The first session is free, no payment needed to book. You come in at a weekday class time, bring the kids, and see how it feels in practice before you commit to anything. If it works for your family, the 28 Day Kickstarter is $149 and gives you unlimited coached classes for 28 days, two InBody 570 body composition scans (one at the start, one in your last week), goals and progress tracking, weekly check ins, and personalised nutrition and recipe choices after your coach reviews your intake.
After 28 days, it continues as an Unlimited membership at $65 a week unless you say otherwise before the 28 days are up. There's no joining fee, and cancellation requires 28 days' notice with no cancellation fee. If you'd rather not commit to weekly billing, a 10 Class Pass is $230 for 10 classes, valid for 12 months, which suits parents whose schedule doesn't allow for a set weekly routine.
Why the coached class model suits parents specifically
A standard large gym gives you equipment and a floor plan. You turn up, work out whatever you feel like, and leave. That works fine if you already know what you're doing, but most parents coming back after time off don't have a clear program, don't want to spend their limited training time guessing, and can't afford to pick up an injury that puts them out for weeks.
At LIFT, there's a coach watching your form in every session. A member named Tom N. described it this way: "They actually care about your progress and take the time to help you get your form right so you don't wreck yourself trying to lift heavy." For a parent with a busy week, one preventable injury is one reason too many to lose a month of training. The coached class structure removes a lot of that risk.
Chris holds Certificate III and IV in Fitness along with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science from UWA, and his qualifications listed on the about page include a current Working With Children Check. Lisa holds a group training qualification and yoga teacher training, and teaches the yoga and Pilates classes on Thursday evenings and alternating Saturday mornings. LIFT opened in 2014 and carries a 5.0 rating from 225+ Google reviews.
If you're a parent in Wangara, Greenwood, Landsdale, Darch, Madeley, Tapping or anywhere in the northern suburbs and you want to see how the setup works for your family, the families page at LIFT Gym Wangara covers the playground setup, class times suited to the school day, and how to book your free first session.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really see my kids from inside the gym while I train?
Yes. The playground is outdoors and fenced, right beside the gym, and you can see it from the training floor. You stay responsible for your children the whole time.
Does LIFT provide childminding or supervision for kids while I'm in class?
No. LIFT doesn't offer childminding. Your children play in the fenced playground and stay in your care throughout the session. For very young children, there is a play pen with indoor toys inside the gym.
What age does a child have to be to train in a class themselves?
Children aged 10 to 12 can train in the same class as a parent or guardian (call 0468 000 770 to book). Ages 13 to 15 can also join a class with an adult and book online with a parent or guardian. Ages 16 and 17 can book and train on their own. A parent or guardian signs the pre-exercise questionnaire for anyone under 18.
Which class times work well for parents around the school run?
Early morning classes run Monday to Friday at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:15 am for those training before drop off. The 9:15 am Monday to Friday class falls after the school drop off window. Afternoon classes at 4:30 and 5:30 pm Monday to Thursday suit parents who bring kids to the playground after pick up.
How much does it cost to get started, and is there a joining fee?
There's no joining fee. Your first session is free. If LIFT suits your family, the 28 Day Kickstarter is $149 and includes unlimited coached classes, two InBody 570 scans, nutrition support and weekly check ins. After 28 days it continues at $65 a week unless you opt out before then.
Sources
This article draws on the following pages.