For many women, stepping into a traditional gym can feel less like entering a space for self-improvement and more like navigating uncertainty—wondering whether they are using the right equipment, following the right program, or simply taking up too much space. At Altered Athletics, that hesitation is replaced with structure, encouragement, and an environment intentionally built for women to focus entirely on themselves.
Owned by Jared Mishlove, the women-only strength training facility has grown steadily since its early years operating out of an independent contractor space before opening its current dedicated location in 2023. While the training itself is rooted in science and accountability, the larger mission is personal: creating a place where women feel strong, supported, and capable.
“What I realized is that women want to get into shape just as much as men do, but often for different reasons,” Mishlove says. “For many women—especially moms—it’s about feeling their best, being strong for their families, and having a high quality of life for as long as possible.”
That philosophy shapes every part of the gym’s model. Sessions are intentionally small, with two to six women training together under the guidance of one coach. Mishlove describes the format as individualized coaching in a group setting: enough personal attention to adjust movements and technique, but enough shared energy to build motivation between members.
Every workout includes guided instruction from warm-up through each movement, with progressions and modifications tailored to each client’s experience level. Members also receive nutrition coaching, accountability check-ins, monthly body composition scans, and app-based programming for days outside the gym.
For women who arrive intimidated by strength training—or unsure where to begin—that structure often becomes the difference.
“A lot of women come in saying they’ve tried doing it on their own, but they end up walking on a treadmill because they don’t know exactly what to do,” Mishlove says. “Here, they have guidance every step of the way.”
The women-only environment also changes how clients approach lifting. Without the distractions or self-consciousness that can come with mixed gym spaces, members often become more willing to challenge themselves.
“There isn’t that same feeling of judgment,” he explains. “They’re able to focus on performing to the best of their ability, and that amplifies results.”
Inside the studio, the design supports that efficiency. Equipment is arranged specifically for rotating small-group strength sessions, with lower-body training programmed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and upper-body work on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Machines and movement selections were chosen with women’s goals in mind—particularly glute development, upper-body definition, and core strength.
Yet beyond the physical layout, Mishlove believes the true heart of the gym is its female coaching staff.
“People don’t stay at gyms because the workouts are awesome,” he says. “People stay because of the people who are there.”
Each client begins with a comprehensive onboarding process that covers goals, motivation, health history, and mindset before ever stepping onto the training floor. Coaches then follow what the gym calls its “10 key tenets of a perfect session,” designed to ensure every woman feels seen, supported, and encouraged.
That support often extends well beyond the workout itself. Monthly events—from kickball games to volleyball, field days, and a Mother’s Day “Mom and Me” workout—help members connect outside the gym and build friendships alongside fitness.
For many, the transformation becomes larger than weight loss alone. Mishlove points to one member, Alicia, who lost 110 pounds through the program—but says her biggest change is visible in how she carries herself.
“She walks, talks, and acts like a different person,” he says.
Collectively, members lost 1,300 pounds last year, but Mishlove says the deeper victories are often mental: stronger confidence, improved relationships, and a renewed sense of self.
His goal, ultimately, is simple.
“I hope every woman leaves knowing she’s capable of far more than she thought,” he says. “Life is just better when you feel strong.”
“People don’t stay at gyms because the workouts are awesome—people stay because of the people who are there.”—Jared Mishlove