“Lifting properly and with no risk was very important. Learning how to exercise correctly was paramount.” – Lee, FitForLife attendee
Some people, like Lee, have been keeping active for decades and are no stranger to a gym environment.
“I’ve trained in gyms, played football and tried lots of other sports. I’ve always run as well, but just to keep fit.” – Lee
One of the real challenges of any FitForLife session is making sure that no matter what experience level someone arrives with, every single one of them benefits from the programme.
Because within the very same class you often have someone who has never set foot inside a gym alongside someone with Lee’s experience. Each person has different needs.
Part of Lee’s drive came from the advice of his daughter.
“I’ve always been confident when training but my daughter said I ought to get stronger as I go into older life.” – Lee
The other was something more personal.
“It’s always been an ambition of mine to come to CrossFit.” – Lee
Lee finally followed through on that ambition.
This is his story.
Lee didn’t suffer from the totally understandable nerves we so often see when people arrive for the very first time. He had experience from so many gym visits to lean on. This time though, he was looking for something different.
“The friendship of all the gym staff stood out on my first session – and probably more importantly, they knew what they were doing.” – Lee
As the programme progressed, Lee noticed the positive and personal attention classes offered.
“All the coaches supported everyone. They always give alternatives and never criticism. Just coach.” – Lee
As Lee’s knowledge of Olympic Lifting grew alongside his improving strength, his appetite for what the programme offered only increased.
When I write the programming for the FFL classes, I have to keep in mind a broad range of abilities. I want every person who comes in to feel like they have been challenged in some way that day. I like to give rep ranges or targets for everyone to choose what they think is best for them. Some start at the lower end of rep ranges and build themselves up to higher ones, while people like Lee come in already fit and ready to take on the most challenging movements and reps right from the start. As a coaching staff we also try to give multiple ways that someone might achieve the same stimulus but in a different way depending on ability and comfortability.” – Kelcie, Lead Exercise Therapist
“The content, compared to other gyms, was far superior in every way.” – Lee
For Lee, that superiority came down to one thing above everything else.
“It was just so organised and enthusiastic. That was the best thing, the enthusiasm. It is by far the best gym I have ever been to.” – Lee
Despite the experience Lee started with and the positive energy he approached classes with, even he found something he didn’t expect.
“I didn’t start at the gym to build confidence, but it did. My outlook has changed.” – Lee
This led, as it so often does with our FitForLife attendees, to something else. A ripple effect that expands to so many aspects of people’s lives beyond their improved fitness.
“I noticed that I have a lot less injuries now. My legs and arms are bigger and more toned. I just feel better.” – Lee
Lee now trains with us every week.
The drive he brings to every session doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I often smile to myself in admiration when I see Lee running to FitForLife sessions in just about any weather. The appetite he shows to improve his fitness and push himself is amazing.” – Daryl, Momentum Fitness Charity Exercise Therapist
But the shift in how he felt about himself is something only Lee can measure.
“I feel stronger and to tell the truth, a bit smug. I feel better physically than other people of my age. I probably aren’t but I feel that way.” – Lee
FitForLife offers so much more than improved fitness. No matter what experience level people arrive with, the benefits so often reach parts of their lives they could never have imagined. That is what your donations make possible. If you can help change a life today, please click the button below.