Brenda joined Terrific Fitness in Feb 2021, a shy woman in her 60’s that struggled with posture and mobility. Today, Brenda is a powerhouse in training with vastly improved posture and her mobility is amazing. Brenda has come out of her shell and her newfound confidence is evident in everything from the way she stands, moves and her incredible smile! She is an incredible woman who pushes past her boundaries exploring new challenges and inspiring everyone around her! Congratulations on your journey thus far Brenda! You are absolutely killing! Super work!

• Coach Terri

Brenda came to TF in early February 2021 and joined our group classes.  Wanting to improve her fitness, shed some weight, become more active. Brenda also told us of a frozen shoulder…a condition of tight muscles and restricted movement that causes discomfort and restricts many weight bearing exercises, general activity and enjoyment of certain actions such as reaching for top shelf items. 

Brenda found her element in the group classes and quickly made best use of the combination of fitness based and movement-based classes that began to change the way she felt, moved and built confidence in her abilities.  Over the progressive weeks Brenda’s shoulders began to feel freer in movement and she began to realize how good it felt to expand the activities and movements of a steady pace of exercises that helped gain the freedom of action through her shoulders.  Brenda took on a new challenge of Kettlebell training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting off with light Kettlebell weights and progressing to heavier as she began to really challenger herself.  She conquered some of her fears and saw potential in newfound boundaries.

Personal Training was the next great step Brenda committed to.  Training with me Coach Steve, I  introduced to her a new pathway in training, development and growth, Brenda found there was more to it than just using different equipment and stepping through a program.  Brenda began to understand the body movements, the importance of posture and the disciplines of form to do even the basic of lifts correctly.  New techniques in muscle rolling and release further helped free movement of her shoulders to the point that it was allowing her to challenge weights and working weights with confidence and build.

Brenda has continued with Personal Training because of the good work she had done and the progress she had made and wants to keep building on what she has learned and gained.  She has made a fantastic turnaround of sorts from a unfit, restricted in movement, shy lady, to a confident, strong and able bodied woman that sets an example to other members of the TF community.  And does so in her 60s.

As her coach, it’s been a pleasure training Brenda.  She has been very receptive to the stepped approach and has built a sound foundation of knowledge, confidence, discipline and strength. 

• Coach Stephen

This is what Brenda has to say:

“Before starting TF I was not confident in my ability to commit to regular exercise, whilst I have always tried to keep reasonably fit.  I found it difficult to commit to regular exercise more than 2 times per week.

When I began with TF I signed up to 2 classes per week as I thought that was as much as I realistically would attend.  Once I had established regular attendance, I began to feel more confident and wanted to challenge myself so I started with PT.  The PT sessions have helped to address mobility issues I have in my shoulder and neck area.  In the past I have had adhesive capsulitis in both shoulders; doctors advised at the time that whilst the issue would resolve itself I may find I am not able to regain full movement. 

Having the PT has been very beneficial as I have learned mobility exercises that target my problem areas and have allowed me to increase my mobility and even strengthen this area.  I am really enjoying the challenge of heavier weights and am happy to report that I am now exercising 5 days per week.

Another challenge I struggle with and am addressing with the help of my trainer Steven is my diet.  I love that he gives me the science behind my nutrition, the regular food diaries and his analysis of them has given me insight into what is working, and it also helps to make me accountable.

In fact, accountability is one of my primary drivers to health and I find that belonging to a group like TF that knows me as an individual and where I will be missed if I don’t turn up to class, that I’ve committed to is what I need. Having belonged to large gyms in the past it was easy to just not turn up and not be missed, nobody cared if you turned up or not as long as you were paying your membership.

This is a journey and I am by no means finished. I know that strength, balance and flexibility are integral to good health, and this is really important as we get older.  I really enjoy being able to feel strong and have confidence in my ability to meet new challenges.”

– Brenda Ferguson