Health Articles

On a whim one Saturday morning in December 2011, I walked into One on One and had the pleasure of speaking with Kym Burke. I had my left hip replaced in early September, did the required physical therapy, but realized I still needed help. I could not get off the floor without using my arms to pull me up, was not sure if I could cross country ski again, and getting into my SUV was difficult. I lacked strength and rotation in both hips. I immediately decided to sign up and dig into the 24 coached exercise sessions. I am so thankful I did! With the skilled guidance, pushing and encouragement of the trainers, I persisted and significantly improved! I was “sore” for 2 months, but it was worth every minute of the effort!

I am a 72 year old retired Penn State professor and an enthusiastic client (I prefer the “title” of trainee) of One on One. I was very active playing handball from about age 10 to 50, with tennis added in the summer. From about 50 to 60 I switched to racquet ball, a less strenuous sport, but still one in which you chase a ball, my requirement for a fun sport. At about age 60 I started to lose vision in my right eye and the depth perception that goes with it, so I had to stop chasing fast-moving balls and quickly became an out-of- shape couch potato. During this time I observed my wife, a One on One trainee, going in the opposite direction. She was getting more energy, stronger, better posture, and she claimed that she actually enjoyed working out at One on One. After a couple of months her urging me to give One on One a try, I gave in. Two years later I am happy to write this enthusiastic fan letter describing my experience.

I recently completed One on One University’s 8 week Personal Fitness Training Instructor Program and would like to say a few words about my exceptional experience. I couldn’t imagine having the same opportunity anywhere else. I am currently working on my Undergraduate Degree in Kinesiology. The training I received from One on One University’s Training Program has enabled me to have a true hands on experience. No cadavers or online presentations, just real life physical applications. This course finally helped me understand and combine all of the knowledge from my classes by seeing movement science in motion and practically applying it to the human body.

Where do I start- I’m sooo happy with every part of my training experience at One on One. When I started I was overweight, had no balance and no flexibility. I never thought I would consider my upper body as “normal” after all of the many surgeries I have had. However, with each session my confidence, balance, flexibility and strength continues to grow and has already far exceeded my expectations. I have never touched my toes even when I was in top swimming/dance/running shape…but now I can! It blows my mind what I am now able to accomplish in a training session. I have much better balance and flexibility, and feel stronger than ever.

Thank you for all you have done for me in my four months of training. I have truly never been in such a great place physically and emotionally; I know that this is because of the lifestyle you all have introduced to me. I may complain a lot, but I never regret a workout and always look forward to my next one because once you realize how great exercise makes you feel, you can’t understand how you went without it in the first place. I think that everyone exemplifies my Grandpa’s quote above. I get at least three or four “hello Kristin” every time I arrive, from trainers who don’t even train me!

A little more than twelve years ago, I was working eighty-plus hours a week, under constant stress and filled with anxiety. My physical condition – overweight and with both high blood pressure and high cholesterol – was the product of a lifestyle of too much work, and too little physical fitness. I was pushing 50-years old and the perfect candidate for something unpleasant to happen.