Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been a testament to her incredible physical endurance, as she performs for over three and a half hours, covering a massive 75-meter stage and belting out more than 40 hits non-stop. Behind her peak physical condition is Kirk Myers, her trainer of nearly a decade and the founder of Dogpound, a gym beloved by celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Cynthia Erivo, and Lana Del Rey. Myers’ expertise has been instrumental in preparing Swift for the most demanding tour of her career.
The author of this article, a self-proclaimed Swiftie with a less-than-stellar fitness record, recently had the opportunity to attend a class led by Myers at the lululemon Glow Up Studio in NYC. Despite her nervousness—she hadn’t stepped foot in a gym in years—the author was determined to see what all the fuss was about. Adorned in lululemon activewear, she admitted to feeling a mix of excitement and dread, especially after learning that Myers’ workouts for Swift were so intense that some people might even throw up. Still, armed with Myers’ advice to “have fun” and show up with her best effort, she dove in.
The class began with a series of butterfly crunches, focusing on core strength, a cornerstone of Myers’ training philosophy. While the author found the exercise challenging, she embraced the burn, imagining herself in one of Swift’s iconic crop tops, strutting confidently. Next came planks, which proved far more daunting. Struggling to hold her form, she felt her arms trembling uncontrollably, prompting Myers to offer a supportive shout: “You can plank on your knees if you need!” The author appreciated the kindness, though she couldn’t help but laugh at her own lack of upper body strength.
The session then shifted to leg and glute exercises using resistance bands, which turned out to be more manageable for the author. Drawing on her daily power walks and distant ballet training, she found herself in her element, even as the burn intensified. Ankle weights were introduced next for donkey kicks and fire hydrants, moves Swift herself had showcased in a behind-the-scenes video. Though the author didn’t quite match Swift’s grace, she felt empowered by the workout, which combined intensity with a sense of playfulness.
Throughout the class, Myers’ infectious energy and encouraging phrases—like “We love our bodies! We take care of our bodies!”—kept the group motivated. His enthusiasm is partly fueled by his own inspiring journey. Once weighing over 300 pounds as a teenager, heturned his life around after a heart condition diagnosis at age 21. This wake-up call led him to lose over 100 pounds and discover his passion for fitness, helping others transform their bodies and lives.
The class concluded with step aerobics, which the author thoroughly enjoyed, channeling her love of dance. Despite her struggles with planks, she left feeling accomplished, energized, and—dare she say it—like a rockstar. Myers’ encouraging parting words, “You did great!” only added to the sense of accomplishment. While one class won’t suddenly turn her into Swift, the experience left her feeling empowered and more open to embracing fitness in a fun, judgment-free way. And as Swift might say, she felt ready to take on the world—or at least the gym.
