Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Magazine      Advertise  
NEWS
Industry veterans partner to launch women-only strength brand, LiftHer
POSTED 03 Jul 2026 . BY Kath Hudson
LiftHer is a new women's strength training concept Credit: LiftHer
A premium women’s strength training concept launches in the US this autumn
Jamie Weeks, Katherine Mason, and Betina Gozo Shimonek have co-created LiftHer
The concept will offer progressive small group training sessions, as well as OpenRack sessions
A development pipeline across the South East is being put in place

An ambitious women’s only strength and lifting studio concept is set to launch in Dallas this September, with a wider US rollout already in active development.

The concept is the result of a collaboration between Jamie Weeks – former Orangetheory Fitness franchisee, SweatHouz founder and the founder of investment vehicle Founders Row – along with SculptHouse founder, Katherine Mason, and Nike global trainer, Betina Gozo Shimonek. 

Weeks and Mason met while working on a SculptHouse deal and recognised a gap in the market. "We kept coming back to the future of women's health and wellness, and it led us down this path,” says Weeks. “When we reached out to Betina, she was in – and the three of us were off to the races. I'm excited to build this with both of them." 

Trainer-led classes are built around structured, progressive strength-training programmes, alongside OpenRack sessions that allow members to reserve a rack and train independently on their own schedule. 

Moving away from traditional boutique circuit-sharing formats, each member is allocated her own training station. Classes are limited to 8–14 women, to allow for more personalised attention. 

Complimentary DEXA scans will also be available, giving members a clear way to measure progress and see results.

The studio is designed to be welcoming and supportive, with an elevated hospitality-driven aesthetic.

"When I launched SculptHouse I bet on a category – Lagree Fitness – before anyone knew what it was," said Mason. "I'm making that bet again – only now it's women's strength, and it's the most important bet I've made.

"Women have outgrown being an afterthought in the weight room. LiftHer is built entirely for them."

The Dallas studio will be limited to 250–300 members, allowing for a highly personalised training experience and fostering a strong sense of community. As the brand expands, LiftHer's long-term vision includes co-existing with SculptHouse in a dual-studio format, with the first combined concept expected to debut in Atlanta in early 2027.

There are plans to expand across the South East US as demand for women-focused strength training grows.

It features an elevated aesthetic Credit: LiftHer
MORE NEWS
Omnigym collaborates on an outdoor gym for homeless people
Finnish outdoor fitness equipment specialist, Omnigym, has partnered with charity, Emmaüs Solidarité, to launch an outdoor gym installation at a homeless shelter in Paris.
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Basic-Fit expands German footprint with €52m Wellyou acquisition
Europe’s largest low-cost operator Basic-Fit has agreed to acquire 41 Wellyou clubs in Germany for €52m.
Myzone report shows importance of longevity and social connection
Longevity is the most important motivator for today’s exercisers and social connection is key, according to a report by Myzone.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
Fitness Motivator and Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary:
Job location: Aldershot
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Everyone Active
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Job location: Harrow, Middlesex , United Kingdom
Self Employed Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary: Competitive
Job location: Middlesbrough
+ More jobs  

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Cornerstone Connect helps Active Blackpool tackle health inequalities
Active Blackpool is deploying Cornerstone Connect, a new digital interface allowing disparate information from multiple systems to be aggregated into one dataset, to support its focus on reducing health inequalities and improving healthy life expectancy. [more...]

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Precor

Precor promises precision-quality products with steadfast reliability that are inspired by exerciser [more...]
The Fitness Group Education

The Fitness Group provides education and workforce development for learners and fitness operators. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

03-05 Jul 2026

World Championship in Massage

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
HCM
LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTH CLUB HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Industry veterans partner to launch women-only strength brand, LiftHer
POSTED 03 Jul 2026 . BY Kath Hudson
LiftHer is a new women's strength training concept Credit: LiftHer
A premium women’s strength training concept launches in the US this autumn
Jamie Weeks, Katherine Mason, and Betina Gozo Shimonek have co-created LiftHer
The concept will offer progressive small group training sessions, as well as OpenRack sessions
A development pipeline across the South East is being put in place

An ambitious women’s only strength and lifting studio concept is set to launch in Dallas this September, with a wider US rollout already in active development.

The concept is the result of a collaboration between Jamie Weeks – former Orangetheory Fitness franchisee, SweatHouz founder and the founder of investment vehicle Founders Row – along with SculptHouse founder, Katherine Mason, and Nike global trainer, Betina Gozo Shimonek. 

Weeks and Mason met while working on a SculptHouse deal and recognised a gap in the market. "We kept coming back to the future of women's health and wellness, and it led us down this path,” says Weeks. “When we reached out to Betina, she was in – and the three of us were off to the races. I'm excited to build this with both of them." 

Trainer-led classes are built around structured, progressive strength-training programmes, alongside OpenRack sessions that allow members to reserve a rack and train independently on their own schedule. 

Moving away from traditional boutique circuit-sharing formats, each member is allocated her own training station. Classes are limited to 8–14 women, to allow for more personalised attention. 

Complimentary DEXA scans will also be available, giving members a clear way to measure progress and see results.

The studio is designed to be welcoming and supportive, with an elevated hospitality-driven aesthetic.

"When I launched SculptHouse I bet on a category – Lagree Fitness – before anyone knew what it was," said Mason. "I'm making that bet again – only now it's women's strength, and it's the most important bet I've made.

"Women have outgrown being an afterthought in the weight room. LiftHer is built entirely for them."

The Dallas studio will be limited to 250–300 members, allowing for a highly personalised training experience and fostering a strong sense of community. As the brand expands, LiftHer's long-term vision includes co-existing with SculptHouse in a dual-studio format, with the first combined concept expected to debut in Atlanta in early 2027.

There are plans to expand across the South East US as demand for women-focused strength training grows.

It features an elevated aesthetic Credit: LiftHer
MORE NEWS
Omnigym collaborates on an outdoor gym for homeless people
Finnish outdoor fitness equipment specialist, Omnigym, has partnered with charity, Emmaüs Solidarité, to launch an outdoor gym installation at a homeless shelter in Paris.
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Basic-Fit expands German footprint with €52m Wellyou acquisition
Europe’s largest low-cost operator Basic-Fit has agreed to acquire 41 Wellyou clubs in Germany for €52m.
Myzone report shows importance of longevity and social connection
Longevity is the most important motivator for today’s exercisers and social connection is key, according to a report by Myzone.
Until combines multiple disciplines at new Canary Wharf club
Until has opened its fourth club at Canary Wharf, in the iconic YY London building.
Ben Allen appointed managing director at Common Bond
Ben Allen has been appointed managing director at Common Bond. Having set the company up for growth, Robert Rowland now steps into an advisory role.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Cornerstone Connect helps Active Blackpool tackle health inequalities
Active Blackpool is deploying Cornerstone Connect, a new digital interface allowing disparate information from multiple systems to be aggregated into one dataset, to support its focus on reducing health inequalities and improving healthy life expectancy. [more...]

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Precor

Precor promises precision-quality products with steadfast reliability that are inspired by exerciser [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

03-05 Jul 2026

World Championship in Massage

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS