Nancy Berendt
“PRAISE FOR MY PERSONAL TRAINER, SHAWN ALBERS
Hiring Shawn is the best thing I’ve done for myself in years – I wish I had done it 10 years ago. During the last decade, even though I was able to still hike and walk and bike, I lost all the muscle tone in my arms and thighs and put on lots of extra pounds.
I’m not the type of person to join a fitness center; I don’t like the idea of driving somewhere to work out, plus I feel guilty all the time if I don’t get my money’s worth, plus I feel you have to look a certain way just to show up.
MY INITIAL GOALS
Basically I just wanted to lose 20 pounds, to fit into a mother of the bride dress I had already bought (I know, why did I buy a dress I couldn’t even zipper?!). I’m an optimist!!
Well, I didn’t even meet the 20 pound goal in time for the wedding —– but I had firmed up and strengthened my abdominal core enough that the dress was loose on me and I looked and felt lovely. So it was a success even though I hadn’t met my weight goal – which by the way I think is just because its hard for a middle-aged woman to take off pounds.
WHAT SHAWN DID
He created a circuit for me!!! Something I could do in my basement (any workout area you have) with NO EQUIPMENT!!!!! I already owned one of those huge stability balls and all I had to buy was weights. And by the way, I had never weight lifted IN MY LIFE!! Who knew it would feel so good and accomplish so much.
Shawn knows how to personalize a fitness program (I guess that’s why he’s called a personal trainer!) that you will actually do. I knew if I dreaded going into my basement and doing it; then I wouldn’t do it. I almost have to look forward to it; which I do. The only part of my circuit I hate is the jumping jacks, but I do them anyway because I know its only 60 seconds and I can bear it!
Did I say my circuit is customized?! He modified it when he saw I was ready to progress; he added pounds to my weights and he added another activity to my circuit. I listen to music or I listen to an audio book and the time zooms by. I love it. And I’m only supposed to do it every other day so my muscles have time to rest.
He’s all about positive reinforcement, no criticism at all, no judgment. He’s quiet, and funny and very observant and perceptive.
UNEXPECTED RESULTS
Once you start exercising, you start to watch what you put in your mouth. So I’m continuing to lose weight. I have dropped two sizes even though I still haven’t met that original weight goal. And honestly I don’t really care what the scale says as long as I look good in all my old clothes.
I can climb stairs effortlessly (because I’m building thigh muscles??)
I can push lawn mowers and wheel barrows easily doing my yardwork and gardening.
I have more arm strength than I’ve had since I was a teenager. I just spent 4 solid days painting at my daughter’s new house and I could paint each and every day for hours, seriously. My stamina is amazing.
I’m a bagpiper, and both the aerobics I’m doing and the upper arm strength I’m building (biceps, triceps?) have really made a huge difference in my playing.
I think I could beat my husband arm wrestling! And my old lady wrinkly and saggy upper arms are disappearing.
And all my neighbors, relatives, church friends are commenting on how good I look and how much weight I’ve lost!!!!!!!
REGRETS
WHY didn’t I do this years ago? I should have started weight lifting and building core muscles in my 40s and 50s. I truly think I would never have needed lower back (L-4 and L-5) surgery 8 years ago if I had worked on my abdominal and arm muscles.”
*Results may vary depending on individual and drive*
Teri Murphy
“Shawn Albers has been my trainer for about two years. He quickly assessed my level of fitness, starting me out slowly and has increased the difficulty as I progressed. He is very responsive to my goals and limitations. He has designed an exercise program that is helping me keep my blood sugar down and strengthen my bones. I feel so much better now and have lost about 10 inches allowing me to fit into smaller sized clothing. I highly recommend Shawn as a trainer for his fitness knowledge, his flexibility and his patience.”
*Results may vary depending on individual and drive*
Whitney Owen
“My name is Whitney Owen and I have been training with Shawn Albers for 6 months. Not only have I been seeing physical results in inches and pounds lost but attitude and general health as well. In the past 6 months, I have regained strength and confidence, and I feel I am in control of my own health and fitness. I am so thankful for all Shawn has done for me. Shawn used his knowledge to design different and creative workouts that are made to meet my fitness goals while working around my existing injuries” – Whitney lost a total of 20 pounds while training, she now handles her own fitness and has dropped a total of 30 pounds!
*Results may vary depending on individual and drive*
Connor Green
“My son was borderline with his weight and pretty much a couch potato. Being a teenager, I was hoping to have him learn how to take care of himself correctly. I didn’t know much about building the muscles correctly. Since Connor has been working with Shawn he has dropped his weight and his waist size. Connor doesn’t complain about lifting or carrying things anymore. I see him change and develop more and more as he works with Shawn. Shawn has been awesome to work with and has helped Connor with so much more than just his body form. Connor has a confidence in himself that he hasn’t had before!” – Cheryl Green
*Results may vary depending on individual and drive*
Kayla Morgan
” Just thought I would share my progress that I have made in just 2 months. I want to thank Shawn Albers for keeping me on track! And I am ready for that summer body!”
*Results may vary depending on individual and drive*