Success Story: Vintage Saved My Life and Lifestyle

I am pleased to be able to share my Vintage Fitness experience with you.

Two years ago, my family noticed that I was becoming very sedentary following the passing of my spouse. I was slowly withdrawing from outside interactions with people to the point where I spent most of my time indoors. Physically I was becoming weaker, so much so that even walking across the room was a very draining activity. I could barely climb three steps to get to my front door. I was 73 but felt much older.

At the insistence of my family, I met with the folks from Vintage and took a trial subscription just to get my family off my case. Several days later I met the trainer assigned to me in the privacy of my home for a preliminary assessment which would be used to develop an individualized program to meet my immediate needs. This was the first indication that Vintage was very thorough. That assessment determined that my balance was weak, my upper and lower body strength was extremely weak and my stamina was almost non-existent. I struggled to get up from a seated position. My posture was so bad I hunched over my walker and lost breath even with the walking assist.

My program consisted of three one-hour sessions a week. They were held in the security of my apartment. All the exercises utilized simple equipment of light weights, exercise bands and a 10-inch ball. My trainer was encouraging and provided the reason for each exercise, and how they would address my deficiencies. Each session had an evaluation so that change could be reflected back to me. By the end of the trial period there were noticeable changes for the better. Small but noticeable. I could get out of a chair without the use of my cane. This had a profound change in my feeling of independence as simple as that may sound. I decided to continue for the rest of the year.

By the end of the first year, I was confident enough to go shopping and for walks. I looked forward to my sessions. Because of the coaching and feedback from my trainer I knew where this was going. I have finished my second year now and the changes have been significant.

I have built muscle mass where required to achieve every day activities like walking upright over distances without being out of breath. My balance has improved to the point where I can walk in my apartment without the security of a walker or cane. I have now moved to using exercise equipment in my sessions because it is available to me most of the time. Here is where Vintage is so good. Periodically I go away for months at a time, something I could never have done before. While I am away my training continues via video link utilizing whatever equipment I have available. The other wonderful service Vintage offers is how they handle sessions which have to be missed. They are not lost, they are used at the end of the contract.

This brings us to the videos of me on a hike in a conservation area which was 2.47 kilometres in length. It was hilly and parts were uneven. It was challenging but I took it on and I did it. Another hike I went 1.2 km, there and back, over a coastal hiking path. You will notice I still use a walker due to my chronic hip problem but now I can lift it over rocks and tree roots, up and down hilly terrain. I feel I can do so much more and I want to. I love it.

Vintage saved my life and my lifestyle. I can laugh when I move and I move more every day.

Thanks Vintage Fitness.
Bruce