Why I Became a Personal Trainer at 65
Stepping Up to Fitness
It is not always an easy journey, especially when you are challenged with changing body features, more visits to the doctor’s office and a society where we are constantly reminded in media of youth and beauty.
Understanding the importance of paying attention to my body and wanting to focus on strength building and endurance led me to join a local gym.
While training, I noticed quite a few older adults were at the club participating in various services and unknowingly, some were noticing me.
One day, two of my church members came on a visit at my invitation. I gave them a facility tour and offered a few tips on the use of some of the cable machines.
One of the young trainers I introduced them to suggested I should consider becoming a trainer. I’m not sure if he was really sincere, but it did resonate with me as a way to provide a service that focused on helping active adults look and feel better, which was also in line with my background of lifestyle coaching. I stepped up to the challenge and started my 2016 New Year in my new profession.
The Lightbulb Idea
That lightbulb idea became a plan of action that has provided me the opportunity to help others on their path to fitness. The light kept shining as I also achieved specializations in Women and Senior Fitness and Corrective Exercise, which assesses human body movements to identify imbalances, prevent injuries and help recover from injuries and surgeries.
The reality is many older adults are new to personal training. Some have fears, others have doubts. Often, having a trainer who can identify with some of their concerns helps to encourage them. The personal identification is a special touch. I advise my clients they first must get over their fears. It’s amazing the change in their progress once they begin the process of eliminating fear.
I love to see my clients eager to get started on a healthier lifestyle. Most simply want to improve their health, some have physical disabilities and others have diseases common to the aging population. Many can be minimized or in some cases reversed with repetitive training. I am elated with positive doctor’s reports and it is fun to see the new attitudes when clients wear cute outfits or move up another level of training.
The hardest, but most important thing is to get started. We have two choices, to accept the aging process and live a better life or resist it and live an unfulfilled life.