“I joined the Fitness classes offered at Giammalva 8 months ago, aiming at improving balance, flexibility and core strength.  I enjoy every class for the variety of the routines that Fene and Silke bring to their respective sessions. They give us thorough explanations and keep an eye on us to ensure proper technique. I feel the positive results in my daily activities as well as on the tennis courts!”

 

“I’m a “late bloomer” - I didn’t start playing tennis until I was in my fifties. But once I started, I couldn’t get enough! I usually played seven days a week, oftentimes twice in a day. It wasn’t smart, but I was addicted. Needless to say, it was rough on my body, but I kept playing until I had totally worn out my knees. I finally gave up tennis when my family helped me realize that if I wasn’t on the courts, I was in a recliner with ice packs on both knees, one shoulder, and my lower back! Not much of a life, and I was in pain 24/7. After many X-rays, MRIs, and a knee replacement that didn’t yield good results, my doctors told me that I was one of those people who has really bad joints. They told me I needed to continue working out, but every exercise class I tried made me feel like a failure – it hurt to be down on my knees, I couldn’t jump, my shoulder couldn’t support me doing any kind of planks, and it seemed like once a week I’d throw my back out. I tried working out with personal trainers, but continued to get injuries and became very depressed. I met Fene in 2017 when I was 59 years old, and EVERYTHING changed. Unlike the other personal trainers who had trained me the same way they trained their other clients, with a “one size fits all” approach, Fene said that every person is different (age, injuries, mobility, ability, needs, etc.) so they should be trained differently. As a 62-year old, I love that she specializes in senior fitness. She has a tremendous understanding and knowledge of the injuries and issues seniors face, and trains us with that in mind. Could she train us to jump up on top of a stack of risers? Probably, but she never would because it’s not functional for us, and the risk of injury simply isn’t worth it. Does she train us like we’re in an old folks’ home? Definitely not! Every single person in her class, including those in their 80s, can hold a plank, IN PERFECT FORM, and has more core strength than they’ve ever had in their entire life. Working with Fene and my chiropractor, I’ve learned that there are certain movements that I simply should not do, but there are always modifications I CAN do that will work the exact same muscles, without causing pain or risking injury, and that won’t make me feel “less than” anyone else in the room. I have been attending Fene’s Strength & Core Training classes for over three years and am now also taking her WOW (Women on Weights) class, where I have seen tremendous results with the definition in my arms! I can honestly say that she is the best trainer I’ve ever worked with. More than anyone else, she has probably had the most significant impact on my life during the three years that I’ve known her. The first day I met her, she promised me I would find success in her classes, and she has made good on that promise. She believes in me and has been a powerful instrument of positive change in my life. She has given me a precious gift – the ability to be active and engaged in my life again. THANK YOU, FENE!!”

 

“I have been a member of this tennis facility for 25 years, even before Sammy purchased it.  A year ago, I had to hang up my  tennis racket because of chronic back and hip pain. I didn’t want to drop my tennis membership at GRC so I started looking for classes that would alleviate some of the pain in my joints. I was a competitive tennis player for over 40 years, and getting out of bed every morning was very painful. When I found Fene’s Water Aerobics class, I could tell my body loved it!  I could run, jump, kick and exercise without any joint pain. I felt 20 years younger!  It’s amazing how exercising in the water makes your feel...kinda like being in a space capsule with zero gravity. Fene is a very dedicated instructor and definitely knows her physiology, anatomy and kinesiology. In one session, she will work out every part of our body. We do upper and lower body strength, cardio, stretching and balancing just to name a few. She is aware that some of us have limitations, so her instructions always include a modified version.  She has an amazing knowledge of the human body! I have a master’s degree in health and physical education, so I understand and see the benefits of everything she instructs us to do.  Thank you, Fene, for your professional training and caring so much for all your students!”

 

“I have been attending Fene’s Strength and Core Training class for several months. She varies the exercises each week and explains the how and the why of what we are doing and checks to make sure we are doing it correctly. She has such a fun personality that makes exercising fun, even though it can be hard. I have seen an improvement in my core and muscle strength which has transferred to better movement on the tennis court!!

 One of her many certifications is in Myofascial Release Therapy. When I started having some shoulder soreness, I began treatments with her. What an improvement it has made! She is so knowledgeable about the anatomy of our muscles and how everything is connected. If you have any tightness or soreness that needs to be worked out, I highly recommend that you give this a try.”

 

 

 

“Fene’s core strength workouts are awesome.  I feel so much stronger since I started taking her classes. I especially like the arm workouts, but she works every major muscle group.  She knows to expect a text from me the next day telling her where I hurt – but in a good way! The best affirmation I got that it really works was when I was walking in my neighborhood and a friend stopped me and told me how great my arms looked.  Totally unsolicited!!! 

I also went to Fene for myofascial release treatments when I had a nasty muscle pull that wouldn’t go away. She was very technical in explaining exactly which muscle she was working on and what she was doing. I could really feel what she was doing as she was doing it.  And it worked, I was back on the court again with no pain!”