About Us
- Located in East Atlanta Village
- We have a gym cat
- Queer gender-affirming environment
- Anti-diet trauma-sensitive space
- All training is by appointment; no walk-ins
Team Lis Smash
Our story
Established in 2016, Team Lis Smash was formed with the values of strength, love and community. The goal was to hold space for folks feeling anxious, unwelcome or unsafe in traditional gyms by creating a training environment free of ageism, sexism, racism, ableism, body-shaming and homophobia.
Our work is ongoing to create and maintain an inclusive, empowering gym where people of all backgrounds can focus on building strength—both physically and mentally. Members are expected to follow our Community Agreements, which outline standards of respect for other members and for our space.
In the early days, we trained in a home garage (three different ones, to be exact). Then in 2021 we moved to our first commercial space. Finally, in late 2023 we moved to our 2,500 sf gym. It’s outfitted with all the equipment necessary for everyone from beginners to competitive athletes to get stronger and smash goals together.
Whether you choose to train on your own or work with a coach, we hope this becomes a safe haven for you to explore your relationship with movement, be it practicing self-defense, learning to lift or honing your skills.
Alizah (she/her)
Training specialties – Strength training, HIIT/agility
Schedule: Open availability (schedule varies week to week).
Rates: $55-$65 for Private
About Alizah: I live in Decatur and grew up in Ohio. I have 3 cats, Poppy, Jellyfish, and Patio. They are my precious babies. I like to do crafts of all kinds and create hyper-specific mood playlists.
Coaching + Education
Movement Experience
Why I became a coach
Coaching + Education
3 years as a trainer, 10 years lifting,
NASM certified
Movement Experience
I played roller derby for 8 years and became interested in strength training and HIIT while researching cross training for the sport. I made a brief foray into rugby which is now on hold but I’ll be back baby!
Why I became a coach
I want to challenge the pervasive narratives around fitness and body image. As a queer woman I’ve experienced firsthand the insecurity and discomfort that traditional fitness culture often perpetuates. Fitness should not be about conforming to a narrowly defined convention but rather about feeling strong and confident. I want to help women and gender-nonconforming people build a positive relationship with their bodies and with exercise.
Amy (she/THEY)
Training specialties: adaptive training, barbell training, metabolic conditioning
Schedule: Tuesdays 12 to 5, Thursdays 1 to 8
Rates: $45-55 for Private
About Amy: I’m originally from Dahlonega and I live in East ATL these days. I have a part-time golden retriever (family dog who lives back home) named Lucy. I’m a BIG fan of going to live shows, whether it be concerts or comedy. I love getting out in nature, cooking plant-based meals & reading (graphic novels, horror, nonfiction & memoirs).
Coaching + Education
Movement Experience
Why I became a coach
Coaching + Education
New to coaching with one year of experience
ACE Personal Trainer, CrossFit Level 1 trainer, Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (2018)
ACE Personal Trainer, CrossFit Level 1 trainer, Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (2018)
Movement Experience
I’ve thrown down in adaptive sporty things for about 7 years now. I competed twice at Wodapalooza & twice at WheelWOD (the adaptive version of the Crossfit Games.) I made it onto the podium at the Games in 2021!
Why I became a coach
Rolling into my first gym workout experience all those years ago completely changed my life. Probably the best decision I’ve ever made — WHO KNOWS what I was doing before someone threw a barbell into my hands. I want to be a part of giving that feeling to other folks. Plus, throwing around heavy stuff & becoming stronger is so much fun.
Dexter (they/he)
Training Specialties – barbell & strength training, hypermobility, lifters of all ages, gender-affirming training, adaptive training (coming soon)
Schedule: Monday-Friday, mornings and early afternoons
Rates: $25-45 for Private, $75-$145 Monthly Programming
About Dexter: I live in Decatur with my wife and our 2 cats and 2 dogs. I’m transgender and started my transition 6+ years ago. As a person with ADHD and on the autism spectrum, I have many hobbies but I really love to play video games, bake and crochet. I’m an animal lover and known as the cat daddy at our gym.
Coaching + Education
Movement Experience
Why I became a coach
Coaching + Education
New to coaching with 6 months of experience, competing in powerlifting for over a year
Movement Experience
I loved playing pretty much any sports as a kid and had natural talent to pick up any skill I wasn’t familiar with. I mostly played soccer throughout high school and picked up weight lifting around the same time. Since then, I have been strength training on and off since 2005 and now focus on mind muscle connection while lifting. This allowed me to achieve a couple state powerlifting records and have goals to eventually compete at a national level.
Why I became a coach
I thought about becoming a coach after I started feeling unsatisfied at my corporate job. As a trans person, I felt the queer community deserved to have more representation in the fitness industry. Additionally, I found myself wanting to focus on adaptive training for individuals with mobility limitations or restrictions which prevent them from lifting heavy weight. With the right tools, anyone can do strength training! I have a huge passion for strength training and want to share the knowledge I’ve gained through research and my own training regime.
Kira (They/SHE)
Training specialties – Gender-affirming training, Self-Defense, Boxing
Schedule: Mornings, Boxing class Saturdays at 9am, Self-Defense Sundays at 6pm.
Rates: $40-60 for Private, $10-30 Sliding Scale for classes
About Kira: I live in EAV but I moved a few years ago from Asheville NC. Aside from coaching, I also enjoy competition fencing, costuming/cosplay, gaming, drawing, doing tattoos, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Coaching + Education
Movement Experience
Why I became a coach
Coaching + Education
1.5 years of personal training and 17 years of martial arts coaching
Certifications from ISSA, IWTA, BMMA
Movement Experience
17 years of martial arts training including sports combat
Why I became a coach
I really enjoy working with others to reach their goals. I coach because I want other underrepresented people like myself to have opportunities to get involved in martial arts and fitness in a safe environment for us, by us!
sheldon (they/them)
- ♉︎
- ♌︎
- ♓︎
Training specialties: Trauma-informed weightlifting, gender-affirming & body-affirming, beginners, kettlebells, free weights, minimal equipment, calisthenics
Schedule: Mondays, weekday mornings
Rates: $85-100 for Private, $55-65 for Duet, Hybrid (online + in-person) training available.
About Sheldon: I grew up in London, England and I’ve recently immigrated to Atlanta to live with my wife. We live in East Atlanta. I’m an INFJ-A personality type, a 90s nostalgic emo kid, a protective Taurus, compassionate, and a playful sci-fi lover. ️
Coaching + Education
Why I became a coach
Coaching + Education
7 years coaching experience
YMCA Certified Personal Trainer, ISSA Nutritionist, Specialty courses including YMCA Suspension Training, Train Fitness Certified Kettlebell Instructor, Train Fitness Circuit Training, Certified EYL Mindset Coach L1 & L2 November, Lift Off Strength Kettlebell Teaching Coaches Corner Level L1, Lift Off Strength Kettlebell Teaching Coaches Corner Level L2, 30-hour Trauma-informed Weightlifting Foundation Course, Trauma-Informed Weightlifting Certification, Certified Biomechanics Specialist
Why I became a coach
I became a coach when I realised I had a real spark and playfulness for movement. I’d end up chatting with friends about meeting up to workout and I built this geeky digital collection of health and fitness notes—not just for myself, but to help others too, so I knew something was up!
Supporting others has been critical to my own healing and resilience, so I got certified as a personal trainer in 2018.
Finding supportive community and safer spaces while Black, queer, and trans has been tough, so it’s felt deeply fulfilling to support other Black queer and/or trans folks who are starting to unpack how diet culture has shaped their lives—and who want to explore fitness in more affirming ways, beyond oppressive binary standards.
I love working with beginners and creating a friendly, low-pressure space where skill practice feels accessible—whether we’re working one-on-one, semi-privately, in person, or online.
Lis (She/They)
Training Specialties – technique for new and returning lifters, hypertrophy and strength, meet prep, all ages, peri/post/menopause and pre/peri/post natal. Classes include Semi Private Strength and Barbell Technique.
Schedule: Monday through Thursday 12 to 8 and Saturdays 10 to 2.
Rates: $85-100 for Private, $60-80 for Duet, $45-$55 for Semi-Private, $25-45 per session, $125 for monthly programming, $25-45/month for All the Rage
About Lis: I live in Gresham Park with my partner, our dog Tina and our cats Porch and Betty White. My other cat Cheez owns the gym where I work. I love plants and animals, swimming, lifting and watching bad reality tv.
Coaching + Education
Movement Experience
Why I became a coach
Coaching + Education
Lis is the founder and owner of Team Lis Smash.
15 years of coaching, 13 years (off and on) competitive powerlifting
Masters Degree in Education and Sports Management, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, USAPL (2017) and USPA (2023) certified powerlifting coach, several specialty courses including Cognitively-Based Compassion Training, Trauma Informed Movement, Pelvic Floor Fitness, Hypertrophy and Program Design.
Powerlifting United meet director, National referee and Georgia state chair
Movement Experience
I grew up playing sports, but suffered from (sometimes debilitating) performance anxiety. In college and through my 20s I played softball, flag football and did endurance sports (triathlons and road running). Then I re-aggravated an old knee injury and by the grace of Beyonce was told to quit running. So I switched to cross-training and lifting weights. I began competing at powerlifting in 2012 and have held over 30 state records in 4 federations and 4 weight classes. I’ve competed five times at Nationals, once at the Arnold Sports Festival, set one World and two National records, and won two National Championships. In December 2025 I had a total knee replacement and am rebuilding my strength and looking forward to squatting 350 pounds again.
Why I became a coach
I’m neurodivergent and never felt like my coaches understood how to work with me. I strive to communicate in a variety of ways to get through to my clients, whether by re-phrasing and saying cues differently, demonstrating or showing video, and problem-solving to determine the best way to communicate with each client. I realized more people would discover a love of strength training if there was a safe and accepting space to have fun doing it. I hope to help others discover the meditative side of lifting, create a ritual around and enjoy the process of training, and feel more resilient and confident in and out of the gym.
Cheez (he/purr)
Training specialties: rest, stretching, massage, catupuncture
Schedule: all day, every day (so long as he’s awake)
Rates: priceless
Sliding scale, scholarships and work-trade
In an effort to make strength training more accessible for our community, we offer scholarships, work-trade opportunities, and sliding-scale pricing when possible.
We offer three tiers of Open Gym memberships. Our Sustain, or regularly-priced, membership is $65 per month. For those who need it, we also offer a lower-priced Sliding-Scale membership at $50 per month. And if you’re able to afford a membership and also support our sliding-scale program, the Supporter membership is $80 per month.
We also have tiered pricing for our Self-Defense and Stretching classes. Additionally, three of our trainers, Amy, Dexter and Kira, have availability for sliding-scale clients.
We offer scholarships for Open Gym and for our remote coaching program, All the Rage Lifting Club. Scholarships are prioritized for POC, trans and gender-expansive members, but others experiencing financial hardship are welcome to apply. Scholarships are available on a rolling basis as space allows. Apply here.
And we have work-trade partnerships, where you can trade a skill like cleaning or handy work for an Open Gym membership or Semi-Private training.