Celebrating 30 Years Special

“When I think of how my life has changed in the few months since the first time I met with Irv at STEPS, I am amazed and grateful. The results are significant … physically and mentally. Irv’s encouragement and enthusiasm, coupled with his considerable expertise, are powerful motivating factors. Irv is a gem … a plum …a terrific ‘coach’!”

“The training with Latina was great!! With her training I discovered what areas need the most focus and how to be effective in my workouts. We also discussed nutrition and my diet and eating habits as well. Latina has provided me with the necessary tools to work out on my own from home with the equipment that I have. She checks in with me once in a while just to keep me on track with my workouts. I had a very positive experience with STEPS and Latina!”

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 seems to be a place where a variety of folks can find people and a program that works for them. Your understanding that one size doesn’t fit all worked well for me, and I will continue to be an advocate of you and your team. As important as the technical weights training were the small, but effective lifestyle changes you suggested. I feel fortunate to have created a balanced running and weights routine which is measured by reasonable expectations. The practice over the year has delivered more energy, better sleep, fewer aches and pains, and more strength and stability.”

I look forward to my workouts with Scott knowing that he will customize my workout to help me be able to continue, as I age, doing the activities I enjoy such as backpacking, cycling and swimming.  He also offers helpful hints on bike maintenance at no additional charge.

Many personal trainers are not qualified to train older bodies.  Maintaining a healthy, strong body is a unique science in older adults. Irv Rubenstein has the education and the experience to effectively strengthen older bodies.  My health and well-being is enhanced thanks to my twice weekly sessions with Irv.

“The type of training I do with Irv has given me confidence on my feet, through better balance and learning to make quicker directional transitions and sharper turns. My foot slipped out from under me once doing a front cross in a competition, but thanks to my workouts with Irv I stayed on my feet and Dara won the class. Irv grills me really hard and that’s okay because I feel I should work as hard as I ask my dog to work!”

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.

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.

“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.”