Pure Movement

03/16/2026

Senior Open House

We’re hosting two open house events for seniors at Pure Movement to discuss the benefits of strength training and connect with members of the local community.

📅 Tuesday, March 17th – 11:00 AM
📅 Friday, March 20th – 11:00 AM (FULL)

Strength training becomes increasingly important as we age because it helps support healthy aging and long-term independence.

Research consistently shows that strength training can help:
• Maintain independence with everyday tasks
• Improve balance and reduce the risk of falls
• Slow the natural decline in bone density
• Build muscle to support joint health and mobility
• Improve confidence with movement and daily activity

During the open house, we’ll talk about how strength training can be safely incorporated into your routine, answer questions, and give you a chance to see the Pure Movement space.

We’ll also provide information about our training options for seniors, including programs designed to improve strength, bone health, balance, and overall resilience.

Interested in joining us?

Comment below and I’ll add you to the list.

Spots are limited so we can keep the group small and interactive.

📍 Pure Movement – Portage, MI
Serving the Kalamazoo & Portage community

03/15/2026

LAST CALL: Small Group Training Pre-Sale

Our $25 OFF your first month of Small Group Training promotion ends soon, and this is your final chance to lock in the discount before spots fill.

At Pure Movement, our small group programs are designed to provide expert coaching, individualized guidance, and a supportive environment while training alongside others with similar goals.

Here are the classes currently available:

Balanced Athlete
Coach: Julie Dieterman
Monday & Wednesday at 6:00pm

A non-yoga mobility class for active people who want to improve mobility, flexibility, and balance to support weightlifting, running, pickleball, and other activities while preventing injuries.

Breathe, Stretch, Grow
Coach: Valarie Bader
Tuesday & Thursday at 6:00pm

A full-body movement class connecting deep breathing with purposeful movement. Blending Pilates, Barre, Yoga, and Tai Chi, this class improves strength, mobility, alignment, and body awareness.

Building Better Bones
Coach: Garrett McLaughlin
Tuesday & Friday at 11:00am

A bone-strengthening program focused on resistance training, balance, and functional strength—ideal for seniors, those with osteoporosis, or anyone wanting to stay strong and resilient as they age.

These classes are intentionally small to ensure quality coaching, so availability is limited.

CLAIM YOUR $25 DISCOUNT TODAY:
www.pure-movement.com/contact

03/14/2026

Our neighbors The Donut Den at 2052 W Centre Ave are officially opening their doors today—and they’re celebrating with a pretty sweet deal. 🍩

Stop by over the next week and get a FREE donut while they celebrate their grand opening!

We’re excited to have another great local business in the building, so make sure to swing by and show them some support.

And while you’re there, check out Pure Movement right next door. If you’ve been curious about our new training and movement space, feel free to pop in and say hello!

03/14/2026

MEET THE TEAM

Meet Valarie Bader, a coach at Pure Movement who brings a thoughtful blend of strength training, mindful movement, and mobility work to help clients feel strong, confident, and capable at every stage of life.

Valarie works with clients of all ages and specializes in postpartum support, injury recovery, and sustainable movement through the aging process. Her coaching approach is warm, supportive, and personalized—meeting people where they are and helping them build strength and resilience in a way that fits their lifestyle.

Her diverse movement background includes certifications in Personal Training, Pilates, Barre, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Nutrition, along with experience in dance, breathwork, and restorative practices. This allows her to create sessions that blend strength, mobility, and balance to support both physical recovery and long-term health.

At Pure Movement, Valarie leads our Breathe, Stretch, Grow class. This full-body movement class connects deep diaphragmatic breathing with core control and purposeful movement, blending elements of functional Pilates, Barre, Yoga, and Tai Chi. The goal is to improve strength, mobility, balance, and alignment while helping people move and breathe with greater awareness.

Whether you're returning to exercise, recovering from an injury, or simply looking for a mindful way to stay active, Valarie creates an environment that is supportive, engaging, and effective.

If you're in the Kalamazoo or Portage area and want to build strength, improve mobility, and move with greater intention, come try personal training or the Breathe, Stretch, Grow class with Valarie.

03/13/2026

MEET THE TEAM

Meet Julie Dieterman, who leads our Balanced Athlete class at Pure Movement.
Julie is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and RYT 500 with a passion for helping people move better, reduce tension, and support their overall health through thoughtful mobility and recovery practices. She has been practicing yoga since 2010 and teaching since 2016, bringing years of experience working with a wide range of individuals—from active adults to clinical populations.

Her background includes supporting high-risk obstetric patients at Corewell Health, working with cancer patients at Bronson Cancer Center, and guiding mobility and movement sessions for memory care groups and recovery programs. Julie’s approach emphasizes safe, practical techniques that help people improve movement quality while managing stress and physical tension.

At Pure Movement, Julie runs our Balanced Athlete small group training — a non-yoga mobility class designed for people who love to stay active, whether that means weightlifting, running, playing pickleball, or simply moving often. The class focuses on improving mobility, flexibility, and balance to complement your training, reduce injury risk, and help you continue performing at your best.

The goal is simple: build the foundation to become a healthier, stronger, and more balanced athlete for the long term.

If you're in the Kalamazoo or Portage area and want to move better, recover smarter, and stay active for years to come, come try our Balanced Athlete class with Julie.

03/12/2026

MEET THE TEAM

👋 Hi, I’m Garrett McLaughlin, owner of Pure Movement.

I’m a licensed athletic trainer, running coach, personal trainer, and Active Release Techniques (ART) provider with a passion for helping people move better, recover faster, and train smarter.

My background in sports medicine and performance includes working with athletes and active adults for over 15 years, with experience gained through internships at the University of Maryland, NC State, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center, along with providing medical coverage at events like the Boston Marathon.

At Pure Movement, I created a space that bridges the gap between rehab and performance—offering individualized, science-based programs designed to help people stay active, resilient, and capable for the long run.

Whether your goal is to:
• Run stronger
• Train around an injury
• Return to sport or activity
• Or simply move and feel better

Our approach focuses on strength, movement quality, and long-term success.

If you're in the Kalamazoo or Portage area and want guidance with personal training, running coaching, or return-to-sport training, we’d love to help you get started.

03/12/2026

Last week we received our occupancy permit, and Pure Movement is officially up and running.

Over the past week we've begun transitioning many of our regular clients into the new space while also welcoming some new faces from the community.

So far the feedback has been awesome.

The new facility allows for:
• A smooth flow between exercises
• Plenty of space for strength training, movement work, and rehab
• A clean and welcoming environment
• A positive and motivating training atmosphere

Seeing clients train here for the first time has been incredibly rewarding.

Pictured here is Nancy pulling the sled during her first session in the new space — a great example of the type of purposeful training we focus on at Pure Movement.

We are also wrapping up our pre-sale this week.

Until Sunday, March 15th, you can receive:
$25 OFF your first month of Small Group Training

View our small group training options here:
https://www.pure-movement.com

Contact us to claim your discount before spots fill.

03/04/2026

Pure Movement is growing—and we’re looking to add a certified personal trainer or strength & conditioning coach to our team in Portage, Michigan.

This role is ideal for a professional who values high-quality coaching, continued education, and working with clients who care about moving well for life—not just sweating through workouts.

Our coaches work in a collaborative environment alongside physical therapists, running coaches, and other health professionals. We prioritize thoughtful programming, meaningful client relationships, and long-term career sustainability.

If you’re a local professional looking to build a career that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and passion for evidence-based training, we’d love to connect.

🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.pure-movement.com/blog/certified-personal-trainer-job-opportunity-in-portage-mi.

Join Pure Movement in Portage, MI as a Certified Personal Trainer. Help clients in Kalamazoo and Portage build strength, prevent injuries, and stay active for life.

03/01/2026

Elizabeth joined our Building Better Bones program after an osteoporosis diagnosis and uncertainty around how to train safely.

“There is nothing else in the area that addresses osteoporosis on a personal level.”

🦴 Our Building Better Bones program focuses on strength, impact, and education to support long-term bone health.

Contact us directly to learn more: https://www.pure-movement.com/contact.

02/25/2026

Spring race season is here—and so are the aches, pains, and “should I be running?” questions. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Whether you’re training for a half marathon, full marathon, or just getting back into running, returning too quickly after injury is one of the most common reasons runners get stuck in a frustrating cycle.

Our latest blog covers:
• Signs you’re actually ready to return
• Why pain-free doesn’t always mean prepared
• How strength training and graded exposure reduce re-injury risk

Running success isn’t about rushing—it’s about building capacity the right way.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.pure-movement.com/blog/return-to-running-after-injury-how-to-know-when-youre-ready.

Need help returning to running safely? Our running coaching and physical therapy services work together to keep you healthy and moving forward.

02/21/2026

Jenny’s son trained with Pure Movement for two full seasons of cross country and track, with goals to improve running form, increase speed, and prepare for competition — without overtraining.

“Our goals were to improve form, speed, prepare for the season (without overtraining), and reduce potential for injuries.”

🏃‍♂️ Our Running Coaching for youth athletes focuses on smart progression, seasonal planning, and long-term development — not just mileage and workouts.

🔗 Learn more about running coaching: https://www.pure-movement.com/running-coaching.

02/18/2026

Big progress happening at Pure Movement. 👀

Flooring is officially down, equipment in, and inspections are done —next step is awaiting for our occupancy permit. Seeing the turf, rubber, and equipment laid out makes this feel very real, and we’re getting excited to welcome the Portage and Kalamazoo community into the space soon.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported us through the build-out. We’re almost there.

Interested in personal training, physical therapy, or return-to-sport services once we open? Stay tuned and follow along for updates.