Healthy Living • Y Stories • YMCA Health and Fitness
How Gerry made it through her hip replacements
28 September 2016 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
After a decade of almost exclusively cardio workouts, Gerry needed to start a strength training program due to her low bone density. Her personal trainer, Zakia, went above and beyond, not only teaching her some new exercises, but also giving her the personalized program, motivation, and encouragement Gerry needed to make it through her hip replacements. Here’s Gerry’s Y Story:
I’ve been a YMCA member for about 20 years now. I first got involved because I was a stay-at-home mom and thought going to the gym would be a great way to meet other new moms. I was right: not only did my workouts get me out of the house at least four or five days a week, they also put me in touch with a bunch of fellow Y members. The rush of endorphins coupled with some socializing kept me feeling happy — and I got in great shape so I could run after my three small kids all day!
I soon learned that a few of the women I met also worked out with a personal trainer. At around the same time, my doctor informed me that I had low bone density, which could be risky, but if I did some regular weight training, I could get ahead of it and start strengthening my bones. Clearly, I needed to be doing more than just high-impact cardio every day, so I contacted Zakia, the trainer all my Y friends were using.
My favourite thing about having a personal trainer is that she makes our sessions all about me: rather than telling me what I “should” or “need” to be doing, Zakia started our very first meeting by asking what I want to get out of having a personal trainer. I was so happy to hear her say she could help me by teaching me how to use free weights and strengthening machines, because that was exactly what my doctor had recommended.
We got started right away: Zakia taught me about the different machines at the Y, and helped me get familiar and comfortable with the ones I would have otherwise never used. She then developed a program just for me, to ensure I got the most out of each of our sessions together.
Three years ago, I needed to have hip replacements. But since I was working out with Zakia twice a week, my recovery was fantastic! I was told my muscle strength was excellent, which meant I was going to bounce back very quickly. And I did: five weeks after my surgery, I was back in the gym with Zakia, who started me on a modified program so I could get back into shape right away.
Having a personal trainer ensures I always do my absolute best and push myself to my limit every time I work out. Zakia’s kept me happy and healthy for at least a decade now, and I’m not going to stop working out with her any time soon.
I’ve been a YMCA member for about 20 years now. I first got involved because I was a stay-at-home mom and thought going to the gym would be a great way to meet other new moms. I was right: not only did my workouts get me out of the house at least four or five days a week, they also put me in touch with a bunch of fellow Y members. The rush of endorphins coupled with some socializing kept me feeling happy — and I got in great shape so I could run after my three small kids all day!
I soon learned that a few of the women I met also worked out with a personal trainer. At around the same time, my doctor informed me that I had low bone density, which could be risky, but if I did some regular weight training, I could get ahead of it and start strengthening my bones. Clearly, I needed to be doing more than just high-impact cardio every day, so I contacted Zakia, the trainer all my Y friends were using.
My favourite thing about having a personal trainer is that she makes our sessions all about me: rather than telling me what I “should” or “need” to be doing, Zakia started our very first meeting by asking what I want to get out of having a personal trainer. I was so happy to hear her say she could help me by teaching me how to use free weights and strengthening machines, because that was exactly what my doctor had recommended.
We got started right away: Zakia taught me about the different machines at the Y, and helped me get familiar and comfortable with the ones I would have otherwise never used. She then developed a program just for me, to ensure I got the most out of each of our sessions together.
Three years ago, I needed to have hip replacements. But since I was working out with Zakia twice a week, my recovery was fantastic! I was told my muscle strength was excellent, which meant I was going to bounce back very quickly. And I did: five weeks after my surgery, I was back in the gym with Zakia, who started me on a modified program so I could get back into shape right away.
Having a personal trainer ensures I always do my absolute best and push myself to my limit every time I work out. Zakia’s kept me happy and healthy for at least a decade now, and I’m not going to stop working out with her any time soon.
