I joined RVC about 3 years ago, with minimal enthusiasm and a worry about my ability to even show up regularly. Although I have always been an active person – former runner, skier, and hiker – I wasn’t keen on an indoor “experience” and didn’t know much about gym life, other than the fact that it was all inside. But, I knew I needed to do something to stop the free fall into weight gain, poor balance, aches and pains and horrendous migraines. Aging is no fun.
It is a miracle and a surprise to me that I have been training regularly for almost 3 years, and attending the gym on a regular basis. Since starting to work out, I have experienced huge benefits. Most importantly, I want to do it! The reason is Amy Fortier, my incredible personal trainer. I do not want to miss a session with Amy. And I want to work out on other days so that I am not a complete wimp when I see her. She is both my trainer and my training conscience.
Amy has a combination of skills that make our sessions satisfying and positive. She is warm, optimistic, a natural performer, and empathetic, but tough. She knows how to push, but she also is a great listener and knows when to cut me some slack! Once, when I showed up with a spasm in my back from gardening too much, she spent the session helping me stretch and move ever so slightly, bit by bit, and by the end of the session I was standing upright. And, I learned how to prevent this from happening again.
After three years of working together, Amy continues to develop and change our routines. We have a different sequence each session, although the routines may target similar issues. She knows my areas of weakness and strength She has a great sense of humor, and although she makes me work hard, we share a good dose of laughter as she puts me through my paces.
Today I am stronger and my balance is better. I can carry my boxes of 50 pounds of clay and work for hours at my potter’s wheel pain free. And I am back to hiking with my husband again. I also have had a huge drop in the migraines, maybe the most significant of all for me.
Amy is a always a delight to work with and I intend to continue our sessions indefinitely- she knows that she better not leave town! I am so appreciative of her amazing energy, professional skills and all the attentiveness to my particular needs.
