Joe

Joe has been our trainer since we joined LA Fitness at the end of May and we love, love, love him. Joe is extremely knowledgeable and kind to us old folks. Harry and I go together for our half hour sessions with him twice a week, rotating working the upper body, abs and legs. He works us hard, but is sensitive to the physical realities of old age. Harry has some arthritic joints and my sense of balance is terrible. Last week Joe had me sitting on a big ball to do sit-ups and I fell off backwards onto the floor. He said calmly with a smile, "Oh, I've never seen that one before."

Joe energetically sets up the work-out machines for us, brings us the hand weights, demonstrates what we have to do and then watches us sweat. Last week Joe went to Chicago to take classes for his certification to work with those recovering from heart attacks. Hopefully, if I keep up with the workouts, I won't fall into that category any time real soon. We had a lot of fun with him during the World Cup tournament in June. Joe played college soccer and he and Harry would debate the attributes of each competing team and the results of each game. So, thanks to Joe, the hard realities of the work-out sessions are fun and something to look forward to, not dread.

Harry and I decided early on that without this twice a week commitment and the fact that we pay for each session even if we don't go, we would not have the discipline to do this. I also would never find the motivation, nor have the knowledge to do all the varied floor or mat and machine routines without a good trainer telling me exactly what is necessary to get results.

This week Joe told us we were ready for free weights which will really show results quickly he assures us. My fantasy is to have Michelle Obama arms. Through all the muscle soreness and tiredness, we both feel we are becoming much stronger and more fit. This week I also continue to attend Pilates classes which I really enjoy. Unfortunately, in Pilates class you go barefoot, so I couldn't rationalize buying a new pair of shoes. Darn!