Success Stories

See what Anne’s clients have to say…

What is your occupation/profession?

Arthur – retired lawyer; Nancy – retired federal government manager.

How long have you worked with Anne for?

Twice a week for about 8 years, and still going.

What were you struggling with before you started to work with Anne?

The general insults of aging: e.g., decreasing strength & balance, weight gain, and a lack of discipline to address it by ourselves.

 

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne?

We’re stronger, have more stamina and energy, better posture and muscle tone, better balance and confidence about balance, and we’ve learned a lot about how and why our bodies react to exertion. We know that without Anne’s ongoing attention and encouragement, we would never have had the discipline to work out regularly and wouldn’t have reaped the significant physical and psychological benefits of doing so. It has made a huge difference to both of us.

Any other comments?

Some of the things we really appreciate about Anne are that she listens and responds to our needs and adjusts each session to accommodate how we are that day, that she varies the activities to keep workouts fresh, challenging and safe, she insists on good form to avoid injury and maximize results, and she does it effortlessly, patiently, and with a sense of humor. She shows interest in our well-being, often doing research between sessions to figure out what might be causing some current ache, and invariably comes up with exercises or stretches specifically aimed to alleviate the problem.

Our accolades for Anne aren’t only based on how we feel. Two years ago I had a partial knee replacement and last year Art had open-heart surgery for a valve replacement. In both instances our doctors told us that we were particularly strong compared to others they had treated in our age groups. In Art’s case, although he had a faulty valve, his heart muscle was undamaged and very strong.  In my case, the surgeon said he’d never offered a partial knee replacement to anyone my age before because I was the first one whose deterioration was limited to the patella area.  We credit Anne with keeping us as strong and healthy as we are.

What is the biggest benefit this has had on your life? 

Better health, more conscious movement, and a positive outlook.  We look forward to our sessions with Anne and the significant positive results are undeniable.

Art & Nancy

What is your occupation/profession?
Retired teacher

For how long have you worked with Anne?
I have taken Anne’s classes for about seven or eight seven years.

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne?
I have become stronger and more energized.

Any other comments?
Attending Anne’s fitness class has been a pleasure. Not only has she taken into consideration a variety of exercises for the over 60 population, she has also fostered a community of ladies and gentlemen who work hard and have fun while doing so. Her desire to help an older demographic is much appreciated. She challenges us while making sure we are using proper form and breathing. I would highly recommend visiting one of her classes or working with her one on one, you will not be disappointed.

Pat

Age 70

This is my first experience with Personal Training. I found Anne when a frustrated doctor could not understand how abnormally my body responds to medication. Anne heard my goals clearly, respected prior injuries, and carefully prescribed exercises to restore balance and move toward my goal. She figured out my learning style, removed obstacles, and patiently coached me in a way that would strengthen, restore, and improve without injury. After 3 months of following Anne’s Rx, my doctor confirmed that my goal was met. Anne knows her stuff!

DJ

What is your occupation/profession?

Artist

For how long have you worked with Anne?

8 months

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne? (i.e. Weight loss, more energy, improved nutrition, etc)

I have never been athletic.  I have, however, always been fairly active, so I never really worried about fitness. Then, in my late forties, I started to have problems with my joints, including severe osteoarthritis in my low back which put a serious crimp on my activity levels. Over time this led to diminished strength, more joint pain, decreased stamina, and a mid-age frumpiness that was really bringing me down! By my mid-fifties, I was showing signs of bone loss. I knew exercise was the key to change, but every time I tried to do something on my own, I ended up hurting myself and becoming even more sedentary! Then I found Anne. What a difference!  In just three months I dropped some weight, lost inches, am both stronger and more flexible, and enjoy better sleep. Now I can spend an afternoon working in the garden without hurting myself.

 Any other comments?  

Her knowledge about body mechanics and how to avoid injury gives me total trust in the process.  Anne truly cares about her clients and works to find solutions to problems you run into along the way. She has given me the structure, accountability, and support I need, and keeps the workouts new and interesting. I look forward to continuing my journey!

Joanne H.

What is your occupation/profession?
Professor Emerita of Spanish, University of Massachusetts/Amherst 

For how long have you worked with Anne?
At least 8 years.  

What were you struggling with before you started to work with Anne?
I wasn’t struggling with any health issues. I just feel that regular exercise is a very good thing, which at nearly 80 has kept me healthy and limber.  

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne? (i.e. Weight loss, more energy, improved nutrition, etc)
Maintaining general fitness, balance, mobility, and so far the ability to keep on sailing in the summers, which means a lot to me.  Anne is very professional but also very approachable, warm and with a fine sense of humor.  Our whole class, most of whom are elderly and long-time Anne-junkies, really enjoys working with her, as she gives us a good, balanced workout every time. We also laugh a lot!

What is the biggest benefit this has had on your life?
Just the sheer enjoyment of her classes keeps us coming back.  We are sorry that she is leaving but wish her all the best in Florida.

Nina Scott

79 Years

Sometimes you meet a person who changes your life, for us that was meeting Anne.  We both for years had struggled with losing weight and getting into shape.  We had a fairly balanced diet and regularly exercised (or so we thought).  But with no success.  We finally decided to hire a personal trainer. That’s when we met Anne.  She took the time to get to know us and find out our goals.  She has and continues to challenge us with new exercises and also helped us with our diet. She knows when to push us and then to be patient, a key asset to a great trainer.  We have both lost 15 pounds, and more importantly, we haven’t been this in shape in 20 years.

George & Beth

What is your occupation/profession?
Retired from Information Technology

For how long have you worked with Anne?
I have attended fitness classes (aerobics/ strength training) taught by for at least 7 or 8 years.

What were you struggling with before you started to work with Anne?
I had no specific issues that I was struggling with except for making exercise a priority in my life. I do not love to exercise but I am aware of its importance, particularly as I age and am at risk of bone loss. I had some negative fitness experiences in the past and learned I can end up in worse shape afterward if I do not know what I am doing. So I now choose to attend only those classes where I have faith in the instructor.

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne?
I have actually been able to be consistent with my exercise due to my enjoyment of Anne’s class! One of the things that I most appreciate about Anne is her emphasis on correct form. Though she is decades younger than all of us in the class I attend, Anne watches over us like a mother hen to ensure that our form is correct. She demonstrates it. She explains the benefits of the exercise (which I find a helpful motivator), the correct way to do it and explains the risks if we do it otherwise. I feel safe in her class, which allows me to work vigorously without worrying about pulling something. This is not to be underestimated!

What is the biggest benefit this has had on your life?

Anne’s classes are a great workout. I feel virtuous afterwards. The class has a range of ages, including many seniors, but since Anne describes different activity levels for every exercise, each of us, effectively, can tailor the class to our individual needs. It takes an experienced instructor to be able to teach a group class while providing options and monitoring our movements continually.

Joan

Age 76

What is your occupation/profession?
I was Asst. to the Chair of the Russian Dept. at Amherst College for 20 years before retirement.

How long have you worked with Anne?
I think about 8 years. 

What were you struggling with before you started to work with Anne?
I was in good shape but wanted to stay that way so classes with Ann were very important to me. 

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne? (i.e. Weight loss, more etc)
Aging brings unavoidable body changes, i.e., in my case,  knee issues, a dislocated shoulder and generally just slowing down.   Ann’s classes help me maintain the physical level I presently have and push me to do the very best I can.   She watches everyone closely in class and will offer suggestions for alternate exercises.   I walk out of class feeling so good that I came!   She has the kind of personality that everyone loves!    You just want to do your best for her! 

What is the biggest benefit this has had on your life?
I’m happier, healthier for exercising, and I’ve made some life-long friends in Ann’s classes.    She’s the best!

Jeanne Stolarski

Age 71

What is your occupation/profession?
Retired librarian, financial planner and CPA

For how long have you worked with Anne?
I have attended Anne’s classes for about seven years.

What specific results have you seen after working with Anne?
I always feel refreshed and energetic after one of her classes.

Any other comments?

Anne all by herself is a delight, and oh yes, her classes are too. She not only knows her profession but also communicates her knowledge to us in a charming way and makes us work by virtue of her engaging personality and her ability to tell good stories as she goes along. She makes a point of learning our names and pays attention to us individually when she sees one of us doing a particular movement incorrectly. I always feel refreshed and energetic after one of her classes.
One small example of why we all love her is the music she plays as she teaches: she was not born in time to grow up with 50-60’s music, but she supplies it to our class, and we love her for it (you call tell, her classes are always well attended).

Katy Van Geel

73 Years

“I started working with Anne after a car accident. I needed to rebuild strength and confidence. There were some exercises I was afraid of doing for fear of hurting my back again. Anne has been incredibly attentive to my physical condition, helping me build strength and flexibility progressively. She pays really good attention to form. You will learn to exercise correctly. Two years later I have not only recovered, I am stronger, healthier and feel better than ever. Anne is also a licensed massage therapist and has been able to use massage and physical training in combination to help me improve my condition. This is a really good investment.  Do it!”

John Lucas

Anne Roberts has been my personal trainer for more than four years. Before working out with Anne, I was motivated but did not understand how to make a fitness program work. My initial goals were to get in better shape and feel good. I wanted to be able to do whatever I wanted to do physically, like hiking, biking, and walking without feeling exhausted after a short while. I also wanted to lose weight in the process, but weight loss was never a focus in my training with Anne. From the beginning, I was impressed by her detailed knowledge of exercise and fitness practices and her understanding of what is effective for me. Anne keeps things interesting and challenging without being a cheerleader or bossy. With her guidance, I have learned to enjoy pushing myself and now know how to keep myself in good shape. I did not know about muscle confusion, body positioning, circuit training, or the difference between aerobic and strength exercises when I began. Now I do, and I have internalized Anne’s training and check myself as I am exercising, which keeps it safe and effective when I work out at the gym on my own. Anne has also been responsive to changes in my health and occasional injuries, adjusting my training as necessary. I have accomplished all my goals and have lost weight. I feel great. Anne’s ongoing pursuit of knowledge and skills relating to exercise, physical fitness, and well-being is impressive. Beyond that, she challenges herself by competing in rigorous contests of strength and endurance. In my opinion, she is the best personal trainer in the area.

T.R. Rosenberg