Joanna Powell

I came back to the Y after two years of working out with different videos and doing whatever I could at home because of Covid. Prior to this, I was very active at Equinox in Mamaroneck. But I chose not to go back; things were changing and I felt that given my age, it was much more appropriate to see what the Y offers.

I came to visit and the first person I met was Laura Laura. And she was so enthusiastic and so engaging that after five or ten minutes and a tour of the facilities, I knew that I wanted to join. I called my husband, who was basically in the same boat with me—quite active prior to COVID—and I said ‘rush, come. We are going to join together.’ And he came and we signed up right away. And that was my beginning of truly enjoying what the Y offers.

As I said, I feel that it’s much more appropriate. At Equinox, the majority of women taking the classes I took were much younger than me. But being somewhat obsessive, I would ignore my age and as a result I suffered a couple of knee injuries.

So, I learned from my mistakes and I am really comfortable in this new studio with a variety of exercises for different ages. I don’t feel like I have to compete with the younger women anymore.

I think I’ve found what I was really looking for. I have found a home for my age. I am taking different classes. I take barre classes, although I have to adjust some exercises, I take Gentle Yoga. I take Pilates. I train with Laura. And that’s what started to get me in very good shape. And I still continue working on my own at the original Y.

So in short, that’s my story!