Carsons weight lifting journey
At just 10 years old, Carson Horner came to the gym at A2 to learn how to lift weights. His mom saw an advertisement and encouraged him to give it a try ... and he did! Carson said he remembered "wanting to get into lifting when he saw bigger stronger kids at school and wanted to be like them."
It takes some Faith to get started:
Carson had not been in a gym prior to his first youth fitness class with Ryanne. He described it as "so new, a little daunting and also really cool seeing the different machines and equipment."
The secret is ... there is no secret ... Consistency, Progress, Fundamentals:
Two and half years later, Carson has not missed a week at A2. He is so strong. Super admirable especially for someone his age! Youth fitness turned into teen lifting, after that he loved teen lift so much he added on two days of personal training on top of that. He now comes three days a week. When we asked Coach Ryanne about Carson, she proudly said, "The progress he has made and where he is at in his fitness as a 12 year old is remarkable. The kids in teen lifting look up to Carson so much. (Which is funny because he is the youngest). They always ask me how he is so strong and I tell them, he puts in the work to be where he is."
To be successful, it takes a coach and a community:
When we asked if Carson ever thought he'd lift what he lifts now he laughed and said "no way, not even close." He emphasized his comfort and confidence in what used to be an unfamiliar setting.
He shared how Ryanne got him to this comfortable place, in a gym, where he was "not treated like a newcomer and he wasn't forced to do anything, where he could start light and little by little work up. She always encourages and tells you what you can do, while talking to you about form and how to improve your workout." When asked what he was most proud of he said "that I get to help others by spotting them or helping with the exercises" and with a smile he added, "and the weight I use for squats."
"Carson is building skills that he will take with him to high school and beyond. He is disciplined, motivated, and in it for all the right reasons. He is constantly working to be better for himself." - Ryanne
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"My wife was trying to get me to go to A2 after she was enjoying the classes. I am busy and wanted to go but always had an excuse. Well one she pre-paid for me to go. Time for me to face my fears about why I hadn’t been going because now I am going. First, I was in ok shape active just not work out shape plus what if I couldn’t beat my wife or the other women in class? What if I passed out?
As Saturday approached my fears rose and my brain searched for an excuse. Yet when I arrived at the class what I found was nothing like I was fearing, quite the opposite. Everyone is focused on their own pace. While being motivating Kristi is not forceful but positive and supportive, coaching each person at their ability.
It has not been a month of one day a week, my body has reacted by toning up, my six pack is back. My wife was mad and happy at the same time. I have been seeing a chiropractor for maintenance and recently my body is firming up and I do not feel the aches and pains of getting older. Was I sore after the first workout? Yes for a few days I was sore, but each week the soreness would decrease. After a month I am not sore but stiff the next day, feeling stronger each workout.
Thank you, A2 Physical Therapy and Kristi, for the good music and for pushing us without pressuring us."
− Mike
"Working with Kristi has been an amazing and rewarding experience. I started with the goal to lose weight and gain strength and after a few months she has helped me to understand what it means to live a healthy and well-rounded life. She not only provides motivation in the gym, but she is a great support system emotionally. She knows her stuff when it relates to exercises and the body. I appreciate how she brings variety to our workouts while also keeping us safe. If I could I would workout with Kristi multiple times per week."
− Sammy
"It was very helpful to be taught exercises I could do at home to alleviate the pain in my back and to make my stomach/diaphragm stronger. It was a great experience and I took away a lot of knowledge to help myself."
− T. Docherty