Meet IzzyFit's October Client of the Month: Jennifer

Jennifer's strength gains have come so quickly to her it's made my head spin! She came to me almost 6 months ago to help her get strong enough to run (BTW: I LOVE THAT. Sign of a super smart and responsible runner). She has taken to deadlifts, squats and renegade rows like a duck to water, is thisclose to hitting her first pullup and is always super focused every time she walks into the studio doors. Best of all, her confidence in the gym has increased significantly.

Not only does Jennifer kick butt at TruFit Evanston, she's been known to take her herself on runs in and around Millennium Park she also goes hiking in national parks with her family, introducing her daughter to the great outdoors AND physical activity at a young age. 

What were your initial goals when you started training?
I started working with Izzy because I was planning to get back into a running after taking a long break (5 years!) and I was looking for some help including strength training in my workout schedule to prevent injuries as I increased my mileage.

How do you think your sessions have helped you out?
As far as running goes, as I’ve built up my strength I’ve gotten a lot faster, and with Izzy’s help I’m targeting specific areas (like my calves for achilles tendon pain). I sit or stand at a desk working on a computer all day, and as a result I’ve been dealing with neck and shoulder pain for years. My neck and shoulder tension and my posture have both dramatically improved since I started working out with Izzy.

What do you enjoy most about training?
I like that Izzy pushes me to do more challenging things like deadlifts and pull-ups that I’d never try on my own. For the first time in my life I’m starting to feel strong!

Is there anything surprising that you've discovered with strength training?
There is a lot you can do with just bodyweight exercises. They are a lot less intimidating than all of the fancy gym equipment and you can do them anywhere.

Do you have any fitness goals for this year?
I’d like to keep building my core strength, and hopefully do an unassisted pull-up!

How would you describe your philosophy on working out and nutrition?
Running is meditative for me and I’ve found that it’s a great way for me to deal with stress and anxiety. I try to eat whole foods as much as possible and I’m mostly vegetarian. Since I’ve started working out more I’ve been focusing on getting enough protein in my diet.

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If you have any questions about strength training, weight loss, nutrition coaching or coming in for a consultation with IzzyFit Personal Training Evanston, don't hesitate to email or call 312-497-8999!