“I could not have climbed these steps without Colleen and Dawn!” Margaret Ann’s dedication to training enabled her to scale the ruins at Machu Picchu, along with the help of her trainers, Colleen Bridges and Dawn Denny.

I’m someone who likes to exercise but hates to work out:  gym class as a kid scarred me for life!  But Scott Kinney makes it fun, interesting, and—most importantly—an effective use of my limited time.  I like the friendly, low-key STEPS vibe with everybody there to do their thing.  I feel much stronger and healthier than I used to.  Thanks, Scott, and thanks, STEPS. Couldn’t recommend the experience more highly.

I am 58 years old and have trained at STEPS off and on since 2011. Irv Rubenstein takes a genuine and knowledgeable interest in making sure you are matched up with the right trainer. Irv and his trainers are aware of my strengths and limitations which allows them to construct workouts which are challenging but not so exhausting that I don’t want to come back. Keeping that balance helps me maintain a long-term motivation to improve my fitness and at least for me, consistent motivation is the key to long-term success.

My experience with Steps has been very rewarding.  Thanks to Irv, I stand taller and sit straighter.  He knows the very muscles to target that strengthen my neck and back and allow me to the get the most of my workouts.

I want to thank you for all your advice and encouragement for my upcoming knee surgery. I have done the “Irvies” exercises faithfully, and I definitely feel stronger. Maybe that’s why my jeans keep getting baggier, especially in the seat. You could say the exercises benefit all 3 knees — left knee, right knee, and hi-ney. I am looking forward to getting the op over with, get back on my feet and start kicking a$$ again!

In response to a follow up survey: Thanks for checking. I am very happy working with Stephanie, and feel my weaker shoulder is getting stronger already – whereas, all my training and exercise has focused on getting my body stronger without hurting that shoulder, till now.  She has linked me with an app where I can ask questions, request instruction, etc. and we have talked about her sending me some YouTube videos of some of the exercises with which I’m just getting familiar (having not used TRX or resistance bands much before.) It is now up to me to input that request…  She also says she can advise me on best ways to round out my fitness plan as I recount what I’m doing daily through the app, if I want.  Right now I’m plenty satisfied with communication and instruction.  I trust her level of expertise, and appreciate her attention to my challenges, and my potential.I enjoy her personality, and we know a lot of people in common through family, church, and my kids’ school associations. She has shown a willingness to alter our training time if needed, to help me build a schedule that supports daily workouts.  My YMCA partner(s) are working out on Tuesdays, and that’s the same day I work with Stephanie, so I’ve gone to half-hour individual sessions at the Y now to add time in the gym another day.  I miss working with a partner, but I also hope to increase my time at STEPS in the future. Best of all, I have NO PAIN in my shoulder right now, and my knee and feet are happy! I feel better now than I have in years.  This is what I wanted to achieve and it appears I am on the right path.  

STEPS holds a special place in my heart. I nearly destroyed my body with an eating disorder; I lost bone, muscle, and most of all myself.  Through strength training, I have made my bones denser, my muscles stronger, and my spirit brighter.  I have a second chance at life, and I owe a large part of that to STEPS and my trainer, Irv.

“Irv, This morning, I noticed the big improvement in physical conditioning I had made over the last year – thanks to STEPS. What a change from a year ago! Then I was hefting heavy stuff in the garage (carefully) and was surprised at how easy it was. Steps is important in my life. I have seen other facilities and cannot imagine working out elsewhere. And you are fun to be around as well as adding a note of reassurance with your knowledge and diligence. I realize how difficult it must be, at some points, to do what you do. But you truly make a difference in many people’s lives, whether or not they stop and think about it.”

A friend of mine recommended STEPS to improve my core strength and level of fitness.  I have just finished my 12th workout at this facility and I must say that my experience has exceeded my expectations.  My trainer, Stephanie Kemp, varies the workouts to keep them from getting stale and pushes me just enough.  After six weeks my flexibility increased noticeably.  STEPS has all the equipment, weights, bands, etc. that one could want in a gym, but the typical gym atmosphere is noticeably absent.  I would recommend STEPS to anyone.

When I started at STEPS, I had recently learned that I have Parkinson’s Disease, and I was spending a lot of time just sitting and worrying about the future.  At STEPS, I started moving and was given great encouragement to try new ways to limber up and to stretch my muscles.  If Dr. Irv said it once, he said it 100 times—“Hold your shoulders back!”   I started to feel better and began to look forward to my exercise routines.  Today I feel stronger and more energetic than I have felt in some time. My trainer is highly professional and always positive.  STEPS is giving me a new and healthy way of dealing with this disease.