In the world of fitness and exercise, you often hear of people flogging themselves, always going all out, needing to feel the burn, exercising until they collapse, lifting to failure.  It might seem much less worthwhile to show up with the aim to “simply move”.  But I totally disagree. 

Some women like to work with intensity because it suits their bodies and feels great for them.  Like me on most days. Other women don’t use weights on any given day, depending on how they’re feeling. Or don’t necessarily “go hard” if they feel that they don’t have the energy or capacity that day. They ask for modifications when needed, or even a different exercise if a modification just won’t be enough. Sometimes a session is relaxation and breathwork. Sometimes a session is pushing harder than usual.

No matter how each person moves in their session, they have SHOWED UP FOR THEMSELVES, BEEN CONSISTENT, done what was POSSIBLE that day. And, when it comes to MAKING PROGRESS, that is MAGICAL.

Giving clients the option of working how they need to on any given day doesn’t mean that they get off easy or they’re being weak and not making progress. Quite the opposite.  They come to sessions consistently, work on their exercises, and don’t fall into the TRAP of the “ALL or NOTHING” mindset. They know that the movement will make them feel good, boost their energy, improve their mood. My only expectation (besides using proper technique) is that they show up and SIMPLY MOVE.  

Once a woman has started to move consistently and gain confidence, there’s no stopping her! The knock-on effects include renewed interest in healthier eating and other forms of compassionate, essential self-care.  This impacts health and wellbeing life long. And allows women to move well throughout their lives, maintain motivation, never give up movement as a source of both physical and mental strength.

I am so grateful to have the privilege of working with beautiful women of a wide range of ages and abilities, life stages and fitness levels. It makes my heart swell with happiness when I think about this lovely community of beautiful souls, including:

One woman (30 years old, lean and athletic), happily gained 5 kg of muscle training with me.

Another woman (in her 50s and not as athletic), notices a big difference in the strength and muscularity of her glute (bottom) muscles and no longer suffers from back pain. She had chronic back pain for years prior to this.

For the first time in her life a client is enjoying exercise, and she has made fitness gains. Her friends are amazed that she’s been consistently coming for private sessions for two years because she was always a non-exerciser.

A client who faced serious health challenges consistently came to sessions during treatment and now is stronger than ever in her life. 

Progress like these women have had comes from  finding the LOVE of movement.  Finding JOY in motion. Showing up and SIMPLY MOVING.

What this translates into, in REAL LIFE is more energy, strength, balance, stability, improved comfort and reduced pain such as decreased or eliminated back, neck, hip and/or knee pain, better posture, happier shoulders...

PLUS improved HEALTH, FITNESS, and MENTAL WELLBEING, all the while SUPPORTING PELVIC and CORE HEALTH.  Not bad, I say!

Whatever you do for exercise and wellbeing, and wherever you are, I hope you have found your love and joy of movement.

EMPOWER YOURSELF by gaining true strength starting at your deep core and connecting to the rest of your body. Discover a path to moving strongly and with ease throughout your day, in any activity, and for the rest of your life.

If this resonates with you, get in touch. Send a message or give me a call on 0422 975 784.

I hope you join me in the studio.

Warmly,

Gillian Powell

Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Founder of New Leaf Fitness and Wellbeing