An Open Letter from a StaFIT Client

Rodney began training with Coach Alex earlier this year. We are so proud to have trainers like Alex who are knowledgeable and who really care. And it’s clients like Rodney that make us know we are on the right path with what we offer here at Anastasia Fitness.

I didn't know how to stand until. I started working with Alex.  My lower back hurt, my doctor sent me to physical therapy and ordered an MRI which showed I had a bulging disk in my lower spine. I should mention I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and worked in a private practice I owned in a very rural area in Florida since 2002.  I also supervised, proctored Physician Assistant students and Nurse Practitioner students and guided them in clinical training for years from UF and other colleges.  I was a nurse for the previous 25 years.  So I'm pretty familiar with the bulging disk problem, the breadth of treatments available and the usual progression commonly ending in the operating room with screws, disk removal and, for most people, a changed life.  Until I met Alex. My wife is essentially wheelchair bound but is able to use a walker for short periods. She wanted to extend those periods and to that end we went to the Anastasia gym and hired a personal trainer to work with her.  Since we were there I purchased a couple sessions fully expecting a 20-something year old who had been through a 3 day How-To-Be-A-Trainer weekend course and I was so wrong. Alex is engaged, paid full attention and did a very good assessment; I did 25-30 assessments and exams a day for decades in practice and know what to expect.  He spent 5-10 minutes showing me how to stand, yes just stand and my back felt better immediately.  And to the satisfaction of the academic rational side of clinic life, Alex knew the why in every aspect of the posture changes he was teaching me.  Following sessions were devoted to functional movements engaging long neglected muscle groups in a very efficient set of exercises.  It was the attention to minute detail Alex would suggest, i.e., bring left shoulder up, hips are too far back, rotate further increasing range of motion, et al that makes working with Alex training sessions I look forward to.  At no time have I felt an age bias from him; I'm 64 years old and am finally beginning to feel better, overall stronger with less joint pain than I have for a few years.I'm taking the time to write this as an appreciation for Alex but also for any older guy who knows he needs to exercise but also knows that the usual lift weights, get on the treadmill and suffer isn't the complete picture.  And you'd be right, it's not the complete picture for people our age.  Our needs and those of every aging person are much more unique and individualized and a less informed trainer may do considerable harm if they are not paying attention or have knowledge deficits for why they are suggesting a particular exercise.  I am confident in recommending Alex to anyone but especially older guys who don't want to feel so old.  Go see Alex at Anastasia gym, tell him what is going on with you, what you do that hurts or is a serious limitation and you want to improve, take his advice and do the exercise as best you can and give him feedback so he can refine the movement or make other suggestions.  I've only been to him for the past 3 - 4 weeks and am definitely not done but I am confident life will hurt less and other doors previously closed will open.  Rodney Scyphers