Last year, I visited Karl at Groundwork Fitness after my doctor suggested that I explore weight training. My doctor and I were discussing the most effective ways to manage bone density and muscle strength for ongoing active and healthy living. This medical discussion led me to arrange a meeting with Karl at his gym in Carrington.
Now, I’m not going to lie, it took me a few months to arrange that first visit to Groundwork Fitness after the discussion with my doctor because I was nervous about being involved in a gym environment again. I had worked out at gyms, on and off throughout my life, and now at 60years old I wasn’t yearning for any ‘gut-busting’ class or circuit training bootcamp experience. I was looking for a training method designed for my specific needs; to train smarter for my ‘body of experience’ if you like. So, at that first meeting, Karl and just I talked, shared a coffee and he made note of my medical history, past injuries and of my motivation to weight train for improved movement and strength. Our next few meetings involved working through a series of 1-on-1 weight training sessions. Karl is very big on safe and effective lifting technique, so he patiently coached me to lift smarter and move safely. Then, with my specific weight training plan in place, I started to work-out alongside others at the gym.
From day one, I found that I was meeting a great and varied collection of people training at Groundwork Fitness. Finding my way around the equipment was made easy with the helpfulness and approachability of others there. Karl is never far away and is quick to assist if he spies anyone’s form slipping or if he can add a quiet challenge. As a weight training coach, the man has eyes in the back of his head! So, with such friendly support, I started to feel ‘at home’ quickly and weight training was soon to feel like being part of my routine.
One of my goals for my weight training has been to gain strength and to stabilise a damaged knee. Within just 4 months, I felt the benefits of improved strength in that knee with a definite reduction in pain. A bit of a surprising by- product of weight training has been the effects of body reshaping too which gives a bit of a confidence boost. I am feeling stronger and am starting to feel ‘great again’.
It is interesting, looking back now, that I nervously procrastinated about setting up that first meeting with Karl. I guess I thought I was a bit too old to start weight training. Now I train with people of all ages and fitness levels, and we are committed to actively aging well. It is inspirational to witness such quiet commitment in each person. I have found that everyone here at GWF has their own ‘body of experience’ to quietly work with and it is a place with longevity on offer.
Karl has introduced me to the idea of smarter training for stronger living.