Meet: Roberta Hand
I first met Roberta when she signed up for a group training class I used to teach at a local gym. The class was called Real Age Reduction. Roberta had recently retired and was intrigued at the goals of the class, which included working on posture, strength, and balance. After a few sessions, I knew she was going to get great results. The intensity and effort she put into the workouts was fantastic. She eagerly wanted to learn how to take care of her body and build fitness with my style of training.
Roberta showing her strength with some “light” outdoor chores
Roberta was no stranger to exercise, but she was new to functional training and getting pushed by a trainer to get better results. It was important to her that exercise done at the gym would have real life transfer. Why? Besides taking care of her own health, it was essential that she build strength so she could continue to take care of her spouse, John, who has a chronic health condition. This daily care was starting to take a toll on her own body and health.
It is important for both Roberta and John to remain independent and to enjoy a retirement full of trips, dinners out with friends, community activities, and sporting events. Despite some physical challenges, they are some of the most active people I know! Roberta is now aware of how to move her body better to avoid injuries while helping John. She also has a list of corrective exercises to ease joint pain and arthritis during flare ups of old injuries.
Roberta is one of the fittest people I know, regardless of age. Add in the fact that she has had more than 80 birthdays makes her fitness gains all the more impressive. She can lunge with good form holding 40 lbs weights for multiple sets, do-a 2 minute plank, perform 20-30 partial body weight pulls, and so much more!
Along with gaining strength, resilience, and energy, Roberta has also changed her nutrition paradigm and habits. This has helped her keep her bone density scans reading away from osteoporosis and degeneration. Her posture has improved (making her taller!) and her spine is less prone to develop bone spurs and stenosis. Roberta has been on a multi-year journey to gain better health and it has paid off. I imagine her staying happy, strong, and healthy much longer than her peers because of her efforts.
She treats every workout session as an important means to gain a better body. Her energy and happiness are contagious. After training in my large group for years, she is living proof that the right kind of exercise can truly reduce a person’s biological age!
Are you ready for a change? Contact Jason Cornish, Medical Fitness Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Health Coach at Eightfold Fitness in Auburn, AL today at 402-521-0314 or email at jason.a.cornish@gmail.com.