Fitness Successes

Joy’s circuit classes surprise, challenge and delight – in equal measure. The internet is no impediment. Not only does she put together unfailingly fresh programs, but she also manages to explain how and why a movement done correctly benefits us ( Proper form is #1!).  And during the workouts I always learn things. What a deeply knowledgeable, graceful, and real instructor Joy is  – someone who cares skillfully for our fitness community.

I participated in Joy’s “Restart Smart” class for the first time today, and, as usual, benefitted from her wise teaching.  She remains acutely aware of body placement/mechanics throughout her exercise sessions, whether she is teaching online or in person, reminding students of appropriate form in every exercise.  A very knowledgeable fitness instructor, and a very good teacher.

The ReStart class was a life-saver for me during the pandemic. I don’t plan on ever returning to the gym. I can work out from the privacy of my home with no time spent getting dressed for going out in public. I also save time by either not walking nor looking for a parking place! I love that if I am traveling I can log on from almost anywhere so I don’t miss a session with Joy.”

Since working with Joy through her Agile 4 Life Fitness program my posture has greatly improved. I have much better balance, increased upper and lower body strength and endurance, more flexibility and greater confidence as I walk, do yoga and use resistance bands. I have learned to keep a stable stance and use my core muscles in all of my exercises and daily activities. My physical, mental and emotional health at 77 years of age is far better than it was at 50 years of age.

Joy is a wonderful trainer, especially for older adults. She emphasis posture, balance, and strength training. All of which are necessary to prevent falls.  Adaptations for physical limitations are included.  So people with knee and hip replacements can improve their strength and balance as well. 

I’m so glad I joined Agile 4 Life in July 2022. At 66, I had recently retired and was ready to devote time to the strength training that every medical provider had been suggesting to me for years. After one year in Circuit classes with Joy, my bone density test results no longer indicated continued decline but instead a 4% improvement (my physician was very pleased). It’s a true game changer. Taking classes with both Joy and Lori I can now spend a day gardening and feel no lower back or leg or arm discomfort. I also see the difference in my daily activity as I learn proper form while standing, walking or bending. I look forward to continued success as I work with 2 great teachers/trainers.

I was in pain, my back used to pain me all the time and I was on frequent pain killers. The pain did reduce slightly, with the lumbar sacral belt I was advised to wear, but it gave me only temporary relief. 

My daughter in law motivated me to start training with Joy. Since then I’ve got hooked on Joy’s strength training sessions! With each session, I felt my muscles getting toned, my posture improving, I could do many more things, I was more active and the best thing was that I did not have to wear the belt all the time! The constant nagging pain I had in my left lower back, is now not there any more. I owe it to Joy, who brings so much Joy and energy into my life!! 

I really need the accountability of showing up in a group class. Circuit was exactly what I was looking for even though I am completely out of shape! I just need a bit of endorphins kicking in along with the group energy. Great workout to get be back in the groove.

I think that I have finally found the right routine.  I need to sweat and feel my muscles working at least 3 times a week.  Looking forward to Friday but am def not ready for a “hard” day yet.  You are the best! Thanks Joy.  I love putting “Joy” on my work calendar.

I am so glad to have chosen to work with Joy on improving my strength, stability and overall fitness as I enter my senior years.  A career in nursing has shown me time and time again, that when the elderly say “it’s hell getting old,”  what has really happened, for the most part, is that they have become deconditioned.  I’m not going to be that way!  Joy explains the objectives of each exercise which illustrates her knowledge of anatomy & physiology and she is patient with me, the student.  Exercise only the muscles that you want to keep,’ Joy says!  I am grateful to have Joy’s expertise guide me into fulfilling senior years ahead.

Think about the best teacher you’ve had, the one who maybe changed your self-image or even the course of your life. That is who Joy is. Joy really gets me—and she gets everyone else in the class as well. She really cares about us and about helping us to be the best selves we can be. Her genuine caring comes across. In every class on zoom, she says hello to each of us by name when we join and asks each of us how we feel after the class is over. She hangs out with us after the class is over to answer our questions and concerns and maybe even tell us more about the research. As far as I’m concerned the best thing to come out of the Pandemic, is Joy’s zoom classes.

As a dancer, I have found it incredibly valuable and eye opening to learn from Joy about balance and posture. She has shared techniques and details that I had never learned before despite spending a lot of time in dance classes working on balance and posture. My mom and I take her class together and we love that it is over Zoom! It makes strength training so much more doable for us on a weekly basis.

Joy’s passion for and excitement about strength and health is truly inspiring and always makes me smile during class. Joy cares deeply for her students and is always eager to answer questions and support us however she can. She also is always available to help over email and is fast and thorough in her replies. Her kind, encouraging, clear, and fun way of teaching has been such a positive part of my life over the past year. Her class is both healing and heartwarming as well as a breath of fresh air in the fitness world.

I wish the whole world knew about Joy’s classes! She has brought so much joy and well being into my life and the lives of my loved ones.

Joy had taught a twice weekly circuit training class at our local YMCA. Her extensive knowledge and experience with personal training has taught us the importance of proper form and technique when pursuing our individual fitness goals. Her classes are always energizing and fun and she’s a pleasure to work with. I only wish I’d found her class earlier!

For me focusing on one injury at a time wasn’t working and it didn’t help – new injuries developed while I was trying to fix old ones and my body felt like it was breaking down. Knowing my history of injuries and my goal of returning to running (injury free!), Joy has built up my workouts over time to help me regain strength and flexibility in injured areas and to build strength and improve range of motion throughout my body. Working out with Joy means that I focus on my entire body – core, glutes, legs, back, chest, arms – not just the “weak” areas. By focusing on areas that I wouldn’t have focused on myself (such as back and chest) and carefully watching and correcting my form while I’m exercising she’s made a huge difference in my posture as well. As I’ve started running again I’ve noticed my entire body feels more aligned and running feels more natural and my motion more integrated than it did before.

“I am a lifelong fitness enthusiast (and former tennis professional), and I have taken a lot of classes and had many trainers over the years. So, I have some knowledge and experience. Joy’s class is well-designed, scientifically/physiologically grounded in best practice, well-paced and super fun.

I also took some private sessions with Joy. Specific objective: Fix my decades long nagging back pain, improve my posture and my form while training. In 8 weeks, no more back pain. Joy is precise and really understands the physiology”.

Holly B. F., Berkeley, CA