Product Gym by Elevate

Rich never gave up on me even when I wanted to give up on myself. I am a foreign national from China and desperately needed a company to provide me with work sponsorship. I am also in banking, so it was doubly hard. Most of my interviews lasted 30 seconds. You know the ones where they ask, ‘what’s your current work authorization status’ Oh H1B? No thank you.’

 

This was so depressing! It took me a few tries but I finally landed 5 offers. It was crazy. When it rains it pours. I think what I like most about Product Gym is Rich’s approach to life. He views it as a number’s game and he is right. There is a lot that is outside your control; so stop trying to force yourself to please everyone. It's not going to work out.

 

It took 7 months and it happened to me. If I was to do this on my own; I would have just given up.

Can’t believe I am actually giving a review right now to this company, because it seemed not too long ago being a PM was just a dream. I made it now.

The journey was short and gruesome. This is bonkers painful, but we made it. My biggest challenge is that I am a control freak that analyzes every meticulous detail. That didn’t work for me because of my timeline. This was a struggle, but with some kind hearted support from the best COACHING STAFF IN THE WORLD we made it through. Much love fam!

 

Until the next.

These guys know exactly what it takes to get you a Product Manager Job. Resume, First Round, Second Round, Onsite, Negotiation – the guys that run this are recruiters and PMs. They know what you need to put on the resume, what you need to say on the calls, how to prepare for the calls.

I didn’t sign up for this course to get general product management knowledge. You can get that for free online and for much cheaper. Some of these reviews talk about other bootcamps, but I didn’t even both asking them because when I scheduled the call on product gym – they systematically broke down why the things I was doing didn’t work, what I needed to do, and a clear path to the next steps. This was a no brainer.

Only piece of feedback is to send the slides the instructors use to teach. Your method works guys, I’m getting interviews. But I need to reference the info we learned in class before my interviews. Everything you guys are doing works so I know its hard to do across all these students

When I was trying to decide where to go to take a product management course, the first thing I did was look up the instructors. I looked at the General Assembly and I looked at Product School – their instructors were all from big, reputable companies. I went to an open house and I asked them what I had to do to get the product management job coming from Finance. They gave me great answers but I just couldn’t pull the trigger yet.

I found Product Gym through an email and went to their event and learned that looking at the instructors isn’t going to help. These instructors aren’t going to help you or me get a job. They aren’t going to hire us. In fact, I learned that if you look at all the product manager jobs that are available, they are rarely the big companies that are hiring. Even if they are, its just one or two. The vast majority is roles at smaller companies. This was such a key insight that I signed up immediately

Its gems like these that you learn at Product Gym. They have PMs come and teach the class but they also have subject matter experts. You can’t learn product management in a silo and now, as a PM at a fintech company – I actually have to work with ppl that taught the class. A product marketer taught a class – I work with a product marketer now every day. Same with Data Scientist, Same with Designer.

Come to the class ready and hungry. Do not take this course if you are not ready to put in hours for your goal. There is nothing in the market that’s even close to what Product Gym knows for getting a job in Product Management.

I am a H1B holder that had a VERY tight deadline to get a job and sponsorship before I had to leave the country. My background is in project management. I read every single review for every single school for Product management. I took Product School because they had so many good reviews but they were absolutely no help at all. I have no clue how they have so many good reviews. Their instructor asked me to write them a good review and I had to decline. I felt bad posting a bad review for them on their page but after taking Product GYM, I feel like I have to be honest.

If you've read this far in the review, know that I went through every single review for these bootcamps when I took the course months ago. If i'm spending $4k, I need to be sure. Plus, I was on a deadline. Product School has no idea how to get you a job. Product GYM walks you through the resume, the keywords you need to put, what you need to prepare for, how you apply for jobs, when do you need to ask questions to the recruiters, what are the questions they ask. The two gentlemen that run product GYM - they want you to get a job. I asked my instructor at Product SCHOOL these questions - and they know nothing. He was a good instructor, but knew nothing about the job applications and the market.

I paid money to get the job. PG doesn't sugarcoat it. I got what I paid for, and even more. My only regret is not joining this course earlier. I lost so much time with the other course and had to make it up before I had to leave.

If you read this far my advice to you is dont just consider the reviews. Get on the phone with them and Ask them the real questions that matter. I got tricked by the reviews - I hope no one else does.

For Product Gym, I love you guys for giving me everything I needed...but I really hated all the work to apply. It worked out in the end but oh my god so much work...I'm glad I did this though...=)

One of the founders is very angry all the time? Maybe be nicer..haha

I have absolutely no clue why this school does not have more reviews. I guess it goes to show that the bootcamps that ACTUALLY WORK and will ACTUALLY GET YOU INTERVIEWS/JOBS are too busy doing the real work for their students, instead of having their students try and push reviews on this site and others.

If you want a product management job - You need to go to this bootcamp. The guys that run this course are in the classroom EVERY WEEK WITH YOU.They are there with the instructors that teach the course, they review the instructors every week, they are responsive on slack and most of all - THEY ACTUALLY KNOW what you need to be taught to get that first interview, ace the second, and the third, etc.

I was looking at this course and Product School's. I joined Product GYM around the same time two other friends joined Product SCHOOL and GA. This course was cheaper (at that time) and I actually wanted to know from working professionals what product management was. 

This course fundamentally changed my life. My two friends that took the other courses havent even gotten one phone call yet from a recruiter. 2 months after my course with Product GYM, I'm already a PM in NYC. 

I can go on and on but in summary - if you want actual details on how to get the job and not just product management theory - this is the course for it.

...still don't know why there aren't amazing reviews for these guys. In my same class at Product Gym 4 other ppl landed PM jobs. NO ONE in my friends' classes got even one.

The only 'con' to this? Getting onboarded took a while - like details on where to find slides, feedback on some interviews, where to get some of the homework. But the people running this program are responsive and they are ramping up - they were there with me through til the end. I can't fault them when they are trying this hard for EVERY student.

The experience I gained from attending this course at Product Gym was phenomenal. There was so much that I did not know about Product Management and this course has shown me all the ins and outs on how to be a good Product Manager. Product Gym helped me gain the confidence to not only excel at job hunting/interviews, but minimized my worries on being able to find the job that I want/enjoy. They helped me build confidence in not only as a Product Manager, but helped me build personal confidence as well. They always emphasized that the user experience is key in the PM role and to always be up on top of what the user wants. Also to always listen to feedback and constructive criticism and to be willing to adjust. Product Gym helped me become a confident Product Manager and if you are looking into a PM role, I would highly recommmend taking this course.

My experience at Product Gym was unforgettable. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I am glad I did. I needed a career change and was looking into Product Management, and saw this course available, and I am so glad I found it. This course opened my eyes to see the big picture of a feature/product from beginning to end, as well as all the technical parts to it, and how they all mesh together. I felt like I knew the general concept of a PM before I took the course, but after taking the course, Product Gym showed me so much more and made me feel confident going into the PM role that I now very much enjoy.

From start to finish of a product, and even beyond, Product Gym showed me techniques and strategies to approach a vast amount of scenarios a PM would encounter. Not to mention, conversational skills that help you portray confidence, and fortifying that confidence with a strong backbone in Product Management. They showed me that the satisfaction of the user is key and how to retain that user from continuously using your feature or product.

I cannot emphasize how great Product Gym was to me and I would recommend this course to anyone trying to make a transition into a PM role. The instructors are very hands on and are always willing to help. Even if you feel lost at a certain time of the course, they will make sure that you are back on track and will help you every step of the way.

 

Do it. It is your career and you should care about it more than anyone. But what if you don’t feel like you can make it in New York as product manager? 

ProductGym made me feel like I can do it. It is scary as hell to try and fail but I decided to give it a try because Cody and the team are so good at providing both emotional and practical support. Even the most dedicated person to become the next best product manager can benefit from this program. Cody and the team makes the job hunting process better because they are experienced supporters (really, they’re the advocates of people who dreams about becoming a product manager), and will let you know how brutal it is out there. They’ll make you work hard for you own dream! Personally it opened my eyes to see the possibility. Stop being anxiety about the possibility. I’d say the money for the program is worth. 

Tip: attend one of the meet up. You can to walk out with something. Personally I walked out feeling good because I networked with other product managers who are already in the field. 

Trying to transition into PM, and I’ve checked out (attended meetups and company events at other academies and bootcamps that help you transition into a PM role). Most of them were very high level, without the opportunity to utilize and apply what we learn, and most importantly leverage the networks within the school to find a job - everyone’s ultimate goal. PG addresses these and more, focusing on job placement as the number one priority. I highly recommend PG for anyone looking to not only learn more about product management, but to actually become one. 

Before joining Product Gym, I had enrolled in various Product-related courses and certifications, yet I was struggling to secure a position in the competitive 2023 job market. Despite competing against individuals with over a decade of experience at MAANG companies who had been laid off earlier in the year, I managed to double my salary after completing the Product Gym program.


Prior to Product Gym, I had also taken a different course/bootcamp, but it proved to be of no assistance in landing a Product Manager role. I spent an entire year searching for opportunities on my own before deciding to join Product Gym.


Product Gym is tailored for individuals aspiring to secure a product position, provided they are willing to invest the effort. The program aims to instill the mindset of a product manager, emphasizing the need for independent decision-making and action-taking. While the internal system has been recently updated to ensure comprehensive PM knowledge before applying, it ultimately depends on the individual to apply this knowledge effectively during interviews.


The course encourages a practice-driven approach, emphasizing the importance of repetition in honing interview skills. Members are advised to participate in as many interviews as possible, practicing with friends, family, and fellow Product Gym members.


Having lifetime access to the community, I am proud to be a Product Gym member and will continue relying on their support in the future if the need arises.

The good side:

Product Gym does, genuinely, get a lot of people from zero PM experience to landing a job.

The down side:

The program itself is built on a lot of dishonesty.

The biggest issue is that PG encourages applicants to put down "Product Manager" as their title in all their past experience. There's a decent chance you can get away with this, but I personally felt like I just didn't want to continue with this after trying it out.

The reviews are incredible, yes -- but they withhold offering negotiation advice until students leave a five star review under their name! Keep that in mind as you read all the reviews.

Almost all of the graduates that land a PM job end up in roles at 'non-target/non-tech' companies outside of the venture-backed / big tech ecosystem that has the highest prestige/pay. If you try to talk to the sales team about this, they're consistently not honest about this.

Overall:

If you put in the work, you can get a product job. But likely not a good one, and they'll encourage you to be dishonest, and they won't be honest with you throughout the process.

 

I wanted to share my incredible journey with Product Gym (PG). Joining PG was one of the best decisions I've made. Not only did I land my dream job at a Fintech company I admire, but I also became part of a supportive community that genuinely wants everyone to succeed.

Crafting the PM interviewing process was tough, but with PG's resources, coach feedback, and mock interviews, I saw results. Treating my journey as a product, setting goals, tracking metrics, and avoiding burnout paid off. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that helped me grow as a product manager and as an individual.

Before joining PG, it took me nearly six months to land just 20 initial interviews on my own. However, after being a part of PG for three and a half months, I completed 1,000 applications, 120 interviews, and went through 7 full recruiting processes. Despite rejections and delays due to economic uncertainty, I persisted and received an offer. Today, I’m so happy with my new job, and I'm grateful and thrilled for this opportunity.

Thank you, Product Gym, for the guidance and support. If you're serious about breaking into product management, I highly recommend PG. It's a comprehensive program with dedicated coaches and an inspiring community that will empower you to achieve your goals no matter your background and experience.

Pros 


One major pro of Product Gym is the exceptional guidance throughout the curriculum, with valuable live lessons, recordings, and mock interviews. The community is a significant advantage, allowing you to make friends, network, and learn from others in the same process. The coaches provide valuable feedback and support from application to offer negotiation.

Cons


In my experience, the only cons I can mention about Product Gym are the pricing, which may not be accessible to everyone, and the varying levels of difficulty individuals may face based on their backgrounds. Additionally, the process of interviewing and securing a job in product management can be physically and mentally exhausting. However, by learning from each experience and iterating quickly, you can increase your chances of landing an offer sooner. Overall, despite these challenges, Product Gym provides valuable resources, a supportive community, and expert guidance to help you achieve your career goals.

You pay so much money for things you can get on the internet for free or for not even 1% of the cost PG charges you. They sell you that this will be very personal to your PM journey and you'll have coaches all along the way. They don't tell you that it's probably 1 coach to every 100 students on there so you're looking at long wait times just to get a two sentence feedback on anything in which you have to resubmit any changes and look at even more days to wait...basically it will take you at least a week or two to really get anything done and who has time for that? No one can wait that long during interviews. You won't get your case study looked at on time so don't bother submitting it. They make you "turn to each other for support", but it's the blind leading the blind really. We need personal COACHING not a space with a bunch of people who are all in the same boat not knowing what to do. For such a pricey tag you would think you'd have more services, not whatever scam PG is doing. We could always just go get mentors which is what we all need. "This is a gym you have to do the work" ....yes no duh, but gyms also have PERSONAL TRAINERS which was absolutely sold to us (product manager trainers) and once you sign up they tell you differently lol. Do better PG and stop scamming people.

I am still trying to fathom my new reality; to finally work in Product with really smart people and solve real problems.
For many years, I sat on the other side of the table as a Recruiter to listen to the stories Product Managers and Developers shared with me in awe. And for many years, I let the idea of becoming a PM die down; believing I was not competent or experienced enough to take the leap. But that quickly changed when I got laid off and had nothing to lose.
I signed up for Product Gym and worked my ass off; followed the instructions and successfully landed a PM internship at an EdTech startup in Stockholm. And ugh, it was extremely tedious and challenging. There were days I was just done. But I kept pushing and pushing, because I had a community that always backed me up. I honestly don't think I could have done it without PG’s program, coaching and community. Every part played a huge role in shaping my new dream and reality–to become a skilled Product Manager.
Today, I am working as Product Delivery Manager at an IT consulting firm and part-time CPO at a tech startup. And believe me, none of this could happen without the PG community. 
I am so grateful for the entire journey, and once again, thank you again for making this come true for me and countless others out there.

I cant thank Product Gym enough for helping me get into the dream role in my career. I have one offer secured and expecting 3-4 in few days. I really wish I had found this early in my career. The staffs are very helpful, and the community is awesome. But, one thing - Join only if you can put efforts. You cannot just join and think that you will land up with offers. As the name suggests, it is a "GYM" and not a "SPA". You reap what you sow. Show your hard work and PG will take care of the rest.

My journey with Product Gym has been one of the most rewarding and insightful experiences in my career so far. This has been THE most pivotal resource in helping me understand and implement the skills/techniques that it takes to land a career in Product Management - I would honestly be lost without this program. The staff and community have supported me through the highs and lows of transitioning my career in media/entertainment over to tech. 
Throughout my journey at PG it was stressed over and over again how important it is to trust in the process, and that really could not be more true. Though I initially had doubts and lacked confidence - in the end the skills/abilities I gained are only second to the astonishing amount of confidence I now have in myself as a result of trusting in the process. I cannot thank this gym (yes, gym) enough for pushing me in my career journey and helping me get this far. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is willing to grow, push, and empower themselves in order to get results in their career. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!