Bo-Fit Member: Jeanne

 1. What were your greatest frustrations before you started training with Bo?

I trained with a few personal trainers before Bo. My frustration with the previous trainers was that the workout wasn't tailored to me. One trainer had a set routine that I repeated twice weekly for a month. There was no rhyme or reason to the routine, or at least none that he disclosed to me. It got boring. Another trainer was very unreliable. Being a working mom with five kids, I managed to show up for my sessions when sometimes he didn't. I felt that was disrespectful of my time. Bo, on the other hand, varies the workout. Some sessions will be more cardio, some more heavy weights. He always explains why we are doing something or why a part of the work out is paired with another exercise. I worked with Bo when he was employed by another facility. He was always there and never late. He is very reliable.

2. Did you have any fears or apprehension before you started working out?

My fear before I started working with a personal trainer was a fear of being weak or appearing weak. I and my family are fairly athletic, so I set a high standard for my physical fitness. I feared I would not be able to reach my own bar. I feel that Bo is able to meet each client where they are at in their fitness journey and he is able to accurately access their level of fitness. So he will tailor the workout to you personally and not have a set routine that he uses for everyone. But he will also push you to continue to achieve and improve. He knows what weight level to start you at and when to increase it during the workout, so you continue to improve but are not frustrated if the weight is too heavy and you cannot complete the set.

3. What is something you can do now that you weren’t able to do before you started?

There are so many things I can do now but I think the one that stands out is pulls ups - granted they are assisted pull ups but I can still do a number of them. I think many women struggle with upper body strength. I definitely have noticed a significant improvement in my upper body strength.

4. What has surprised you most since you started?

I think I am most surprised that I am still working out. I started on my own just running around the track and using various weight machines at the rec center without any direction. When I took the plunge and hired a personal trainer I wasn't sure how long it would last. I've been with Bo for 5 years and counting! That's when you know someone is good!

5. What were/are your biggest struggles?

One of my biggest struggles was justifying the time and expense of working with a personal trainer. As a full time working mother of five children I felt that any minute not spent working should be spent with my kids. It took years for me to realize that I needed to take time for myself. By doing so I find that I’m a much better mother to my kids because I get the health benefits from exercising, both physically and mentally. 

In terms of the expense of working out I looked at all the money I was spending for my kid’s school sports, club teams and travel, and recreational sports which I paid without a second thought. I realized that I am worth the investment too!

6. Tell us how life looks and feels like now, compared to the time before you started working out?

I have to admit that it feels great to look strong and to be strong. It does boost my ego to have my family, friends, and patients comment on how fit and toned I look. It’s nice not having to focus as much on finding clothes that would hide the “muffin top” and the “love handles”.

7. What advice would you give to new clients/members?

The advice I would give new clients is - you are worth it. You are worth the time and financial investment. Your investment will reap benefits in all aspects of your life. When you look better, you feel better. You may get out of bed easier, be able to keep up with your kids more, decrease medication use, the list can go on and on. 

But remember that it’s a process. And as Bo says “you can’t work out a bad diet.” So healthy eating and exercise go hand and hand.