“I’ve gained muscle, strength and confidence.”
I am a 71 year old woman who used to be allergic to gyms. Get me outside hiking, biking or for the past 15 years, racing dragon boats and I’m happy. A gym, a trainer, inside? Never.
I met Joann four years ago when I joined the dragon boat team she coaches, a much more competitive team than I previously had been on. I was on the team for a year when I realized that if I wanted to keep up on this team, just practicing and racing wasn’t enough, I really needed more conditioning and strength training. At 68, taking on something new had the potential for benefit but also for harm if done improperly, so I needed more than someone with a certificate and 3 months training.
Once I knew of Joann’s training and education, I realized she was the perfect fit and I’ve been training weekly with her ever since.
I’ve gained muscle, strength and confidence. I have never felt in better shape. My husband loves my enthusiasm and Joann, sometimes coming to the gym to watch me train.
Why do I love working out with Joann? She knows bodies and how they work. She knows when and how hard to push. Her workouts are really varied and engaging. If I’m in PT, she knows how to work around or with a problem. She listens. She has turned the dreaded gym into something I enjoy and look forward to.
I’d recommend Joann to anyone looking for a professional trainer, whether you’ve been in the gym for years or just want to get started. She’s the best!
~ Phoebe Wood
“She worked with me to lose 30 lbs!”
Joann has really helped me change my life. She is the only trainer that I have worked with that has the perfect combination of knowledge, toughness and compassion.
She worked with me to lose 30 lbs. I didn’t really believe that I could do it but Joann did, and she taught me how to eat in a way that worked with my allergies and travel schedule. I never felt judged by her, only encouragement.
Physically, I have a crappy back and have had breast cancer 3 times that included numerous surgeries. Joann has the knowledge of body mechanics that helped me to become strong without getting hurt.
I have worked with numerous trainers over the years and I have never had the results that I have gotten with working with Joann. She’s the best!
~ Meg Fasy
“I truly feel stronger and more empowered than I ever have.”
Joann has been my dragon boat coach since 2009. Her quiet demeanor and easy laugh, put an out of shape over 50 woman immediately at ease and made me believe that I could take on a new physical challenge, even at my age. She has helped turn me into a fit over 60 woman who is in better shape than I was in my 30’s.
At end of my first season, I suffered a significant fall and had surgery for a 95% tear of my right rotator cuff as well as a torn labrum. It was a long road back but the following season I was able to return to dragon boating.
Joann not only has been my coach, but has assisted me throughout my recovery and for the years following, as the injury has dogged me for almost nine years. Not only has Joann been my dragon boat coach, she has been my trainer off the water as well. She modifies workouts for my “injury du jour“ (what can I say…I’m accident prone or dance/wiggle my way into muscle tears and ligament pulls!).
I truly feel stronger and more empowered than I ever have. She has also been a mentor/coach and trainer to my 18 year old daughter. My daughter and I take Joann’s fitness classes. It is amazing to be able to work out together- talk about bonding!
Joann has the ability to modify workouts and movements on the fly. Her knowledge base is significant and she can take one look at me, know when I am struggling and with a subtle hands on approach make adjustments that make me stronger and prevent injury. Joann’s workouts are consistently on target. Our classes are often made up of women of vast differences in age and ability. Joann is able to modify intensity up or down and challenge the strongest woman to the weakest woman. I am amazed at the ease in which she does this. She pulls a rabbit out of her hat for every class!
I can’t recommend Joann highly enough. She is not your average trainer. She is smart, intuitive and creative. She is genuinely interested in all her clients and goes above and beyond! Whether you are rehabbing an injury, have been sitting on the couch for 20 years or are ready to up your game as an athlete, Joann has the ability to meet your needs!
~ Karen Anderson
“I also feel a great sense of accomplishment and power and strength.”
I’m a middle-aged, out of shape mom who hasn’t done strength training (or any training, for that matter) in more than five years. I was a little nervous going to that first session with Joann. Was that it tough? Yes. Did I feel it the next day? Most definitely. But I also feel a great sense of accomplishment and power and strength that lasted longer than the sore muscles.
During the session, I really appreciated that Joann clearly explains the reasoning behind each exercise and exactly what muscles are targeted. And she provided alternate moves when a particular exercise didn’t work for my body’s past injuries. Do I like doing Joann’s sessions? No. Afterwards, I’m tired and my muscles hurt. I’d much rather stay home and read a book while eating chocolate. Am I going to keep going to Joann’s classes? Most definitely.
~ Shannon K.
“I ENJOY it!”
I want to thank Joann for her exercise program at the hospital. Since its inception, I have been a faithful participant.
It is a fabulous class, and Joann is an exceptional teacher. When faced with the decision, every Monday morning, of whether to stay in bed or get up and go to 10 o’clock class, I always opt for the latter, recalling all the while how wonderful I feel both during and after each class.
Joann’s challenging yet sensible variety of exercises has improved my quality of life and contributed noticeably to my well-being, both physically and mentally. My core muscle strength has increased and my balance has improved. My cardio-vascular functioning and my oxygen levels have improved. I am more energetic and less stressed. My generalized body pain and lower back pain have definitely decreased.
Needless to say, I look forward to each class and not only because of the health benefits it provides, but also because I ENJOY it– Joann makes each and every class a source of enjoyment.
As a former teacher of 37 years, I know that the instructor makes the difference. So, once again, I would like to thank Joann the exercise program, for the wonderful opportunity it provides me every Monday morning to be a part of this fantastic class.
~ Patricia Donahue
“Thanks to Joann’s coaching!”
Several times a day every day I remind myself to get the shoulder blades down and back (shoulders out of ears). She probably elongated my life by several years in that I can do more without pain.
~ Elin J
