Success Story

How one woman overcame her dislike of technology to start training online

By: Lisa Wright

Helen Harris, 74, has no computer, and she hates her smart phone, using it as little as possible. But she refuses to let her dislike of technology prevent her from staying in shape via online training sessions.

“I am open to new things – I am not an old fogey,” Helen says, emphatically resisting the myth that people “of a certain age” are afraid of digital communications or anything related to new ways of learning. “I just don’t like the phone, and I don’t have a computer. I have lots of stuff to do. I take care of my animals. I work in the garden…”

Shortly after gyms and fitness studios had to close amid the coronavirus crisis, Helen’s coach called to ask how he could help her make the online transition.

She resisted.

He persisted.

“She was adamant that she could not go online, and this was too much to ask,” says her coach, J.C. “I prodded her several times that I could help her.”

Finally, Helen submitted to his coaching – which took a couple of calls and tried both their patience. “We just said we’ll keep pecking away at this until we get it done,” Helen recalls.

Eventually, Helen learned how to use her smart phone to participate in workouts via Zoom, a simple video conferencing tool that many fitness businesses are using. Streaming workouts into clients’ homes is a win-win solution – same coach, same group, new and creative exercises using minimal equipment and more!

Now? Helen is grateful and excited. “I do like what we’re doing right now with the live classes,” she says. “It’s crucial. I would not exercise at all if it’s just me by myself. We have a great group of people ... We play music, and still whine if it’s hard.”

She also gets in a safe and effective workout that’s good for her physically, mentally and socially, says Helen, who is retired and lives alone. Via the computer, Helen’s coach can see her and everyone else in the group training session. He tailors the workouts for each of them. Helen, for example, can’t do some floor exercises because of a chronic back issue, so J.C. gives her other movements to perform.

Helen even enjoys gathering everyday household items (cans of vegetables, a bleach bottle, even toilet paper) for workout props. “It makes it more fun,” she says. “I like improvising. It excites my brain.”

The bottom line for Helen? She knows how important exercise is, and she’s committed to staying healthy and fit, regardless of the challenges. “It’s what I need to do for my body – it’s for me. It’s my job,” Helen says. “It’s more important now to be active, take care of myself and de-stress. An exercise session helps me with this.”

Coach J.C. is proud of Helen’s achievement. “She got pumped up to do something that she never thought she’d be able to tackle,” he says.

“I like improvising. It excites my brain.”

Helen’s advice to anyone else reluctant to take the time to learn how to train online? “Just buckle up and do it,” Helen says. “If somebody like me can do it, anybody can.”

At Your Personal Best, this global disruption became an opportunity to “give back” to our community and build relationships. It is easy once you get the hang of it, and my team will go the extra mile to get you what you need, answer questions, etc.

Whether or not we are back in our studio when you read this, we will continue to stream our workouts live two to three times per day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, adjusting to the demand. Try it yourself! Get 14 days of unlimited live, virtual group training classes you can do from anywhere!

CAROLINA PRADERIO M.D., P.L.L.C. Gynecology & Women’s Health

For more information, visit http://www.landpage.co/14-day-trialypbtrainingstudio. You may also contact Lisa Wright, F.A.S., at Your Personal Best Training Studio. Call 361-857-5087 or visit www.ypbtrainingstudio.com. Wright’s full “How Do We Ensure Functional Longevity” presentation is now available to watch online: https://youtu.be/Alnz1SaXv5M.

Meet Lisa

Lisa Grace Wright, C.F.T., F.A.S., is the CEO of L.G.W. Fitness Inc., a published author, a functional aging specialist and a business coach for the Functional Aging Institute. Through strategic planning and marketing consulting, she helps fitness business owners, from small studios to big-box gyms, create a compelling and effective business plan to inspire an aging population to take action toward their health.

Over the last 20-plus years, Wright has built her brand, Your Personal Best, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She has expanded her influence across the country, equipping others like herself who want to change lives and promote aging actively.

Providing Personal and Comprehensive Care Woman to Woman

• Board Certified OB/GYN • Specializing in Menopause • Bio-identical Hormone Pellet Therapy (BHRT) • Performing minimally invasive gynecological surgeries & procedures • Medically Supervised Weight Loss

Corpus Christi Spohn South 5920 Saratoga Blvd., Suite 110 361-991-9356 www.DrPraderio.com