My name is Becky, and I’m 67 years old. (Okay, truth be told, I only feel 67 maybe one day every five or six weeks — most of the time I feel like I’m stuck at about 55-ish.) I practice Pilates pretty regularly, usually three times a week. Somewhere along the way I picked up an osteopenia diagnosis, and I’ve lost a solid half-inch in height since my younger days. My doctor told me to increase my vitamin D and calcium but didn’t say a word about exercise.

Enter Rivercity Pilates. At some point after my osteopenia diagnosis Carey suggested we start using one of my weekly private sessions specifically for lifting weights. I’ll tell you about that (and the strength circuit I braved) in just a bit. But first, let me share how I realized strength training was actually making a difference in my everyday life.

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My Gerbera Daisy Workout

I love flowers in the summer and usually have pots of gerbera daisies scattered around. This summer has been a weather circus — rain/no rain, heat/cool, repeat. One planter had turned into a leafy jungle with zero flowers, while its twin up on the patio was blooming like crazy.

Solution? Move the non-bloomer upstairs. Problem? The planter was heavy and full of wet dirt. Usually, I’d wait for Mike to help me, but he wasn’t around. So I picked it up and carried it myself — up a full flight of stairs. No stopping. No “wait, I need a break.” And yes, in case you’re wondering, it worked — that stubborn plant has been blooming ever since. Strength training win!

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Squats in the Wild

A couple of weeks ago, I was out walking my dog when a little boy asked if he could pet her. He was shy, so I squatted all the way down to help him feel comfortable. Libby (my dog) licked his nose, he giggled, and I stood back up. Without wobbling. Without grabbing onto anything. And it hit me — those squats I’ve been grumbling through? They actually work.

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The Bucket Test

Then yesterday, I noticed something else. I was watering my evergreen trees and realized I was hauling heavier buckets of water than I ever would have managed last year. And instead of struggling, I just…did it. Another lightbulb moment: strength training isn’t about lifting some magic number of pounds. It’s about making everyday things easier — whether that’s carrying buckets of water, squatting to talk to a child, or hauling a stubborn flowerpot up the stairs.

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What Strength Sessions Look Like

Once a week during one of my private sessions Carey will grin and announce, “It’s strength day!” (and then remind me that technically, every day is strength day). Strength Day for me means we get out the weights: 8 pounds, 12 pounds, all the way up to 20. Carey takes me through a full body strengthening sessions using weights that challenge me. She watches my technique and gives me guidance on how to do things properly and encourages me just when I need it.

In case you’re wondering…

1. 1. Breaks are allowed and even encouraged. (In fact Carey is often reminding me to stay hydrated!)
   2. She chooses my weights. Left to my own devices, I’d grab the 5-pounders for everything and call it a day. Carey hands me the heavier ones and says, “Just try. Stop if you need to. Do as many as you can with good form.” Sometimes I make all the reps. Sometimes I don’t. Either way, she’s right there, smiling and reminding me that what I did accomplish counts.
   3. While we work the same muscles every week, we don’t do things in the same  order, and Carey is often throwing in something new for variety.   What I’m trying to tell you is that it’s not boring, because I don’t know what will be coming next!

My First Strength Circuit Class

A couple of weeks ago – when Colleen started teaching Strength Circuit small groups at Rivercity Pilates, Carey encouraged me to attend.  I was a little nervous!   I was afraid I was not in good enough shape, I was afraid that I might not be able to complete the circuit. Carey insisted I would do great and reminded me it was designed for every one to be able to do it no matter what kind of shape they were in.

So let me tell you about the strength circuit.     When we got there — Colleen introduced all the students to each other (there were 3 of us).   Then Colleen explained the stations on the circuit and how it would work.  There were 9 stations, and there would be 30 seconds to exercise, and then you get 30 seconds to move to the next station.  She kept reminding us that we could take a rest as needed and practice each station at the level we felt most comfortable.

Then we started! Colleen cheered us on the whole way through, corrected our form, and didn’t care if we grabbed a quick extra rest. By the second round, I was sweating even though I was quietly thinking that 30 seconds at each station went by really fast! By the third round, I felt like I’d gotten a great whole body strength workout. I also felt great about being able to do the circuit successfully. I can’t believe I’m saying this but it was fun!

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Two Things I Hope You Take Away

1. The instructors at Rivercity Pilates are true professionals. They’ve invested years of study and training so that we can move safely, get stronger, and reach our goals.

   I know that working with experts isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s truly a case of “you get what you pay for.” At Rivercity Pilates  you’re never just another face in a crowded class. Every session is either one-on-one or in a small group, giving you personalized attention to help you reach your goals, move safely, and feel confident — no matter your age, fitness level, or any chronic health conditions you may have.

2. Strength training really does make a difference. You may not notice it immediately, but one day you’ll squat down with ease, carry more than you thought you could, or climb stairs with a heavy flowerpot — and realize, “Hey, this is working.” For me training in an environment that I know is safe yet challenges me has been the key to getting results.

So whether it’s private strength training or a small group circuit, I can tell you from experience: it’s worth it to add strength training into your routine!