Strength Training

Jun 30 2016

Personal Training Success Story – Barbara Radov

Commitment to Excellence—Meet Barbara Radov, June Member of the Month

At SolCore Fitness, “commitment to excellence” isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s a Core Value. Nothing’s more rewarding than working with people who share that spark and drive to improve. Barbara Radov is the perfect example: always thinking ahead, eager to understand the “why,” and competing with herself to be just a bit better every day.

Barbara’s journey is a blend of thoughtful planning and action. Before SolCore, hiking was her go-to, but she realized she needed more for true, sustainable health—especially building strength and posture for a better quality of life as she ages.

Q&A With Barbara—Growth, Challenges, and Advice in Her Words

Q: What made you want to start a program?
“I knew that I needed to do something besides cardio. I’m great at getting my hikes in, but to have good physical quality of life as I got older, I needed to improve my strength and posture.”

Q: What did you do before?
“A lot of hiking! I tried yoga, joined a gym or two, but never found what I was looking for.”

Q: What results are you most proud of?
“I drink way more water than ever. My posture’s improved and I’m stronger. I notice my hikes are easier—no more tired or sore legs at the end. My balance and body awareness are so much better. I used to lose balance and bump into walls—now, that’s gone.”

Q: Favorite exercise (and least favorite!)?
“I have a love-hate with roll up/roll down abs—they’re tough, but I feel the core and spine benefits. Frogs? That series is my nemesis!”

Q: What challenges or goals are you working on now?
“Continuing to improve my posture.”

Q: What do you like best about the program/trainer?
“The expertise in class is amazing. My classmates motivate me, and I love that you’re always learning and leveling up yourselves. It’s inspiring!”

Q: What advice for other SolCore Fitness members?
“Isn’t this fun? Doesn’t it feel good to push yourself in such a positive way?”

Q: What would you say to someone on the fence?
“If you REALLY do it, it will change your life.”

Feeling inspired by Barbara’s story? Explore all the ways SolCore Fitness can help you find your own strength, improved posture, and a supportive community:
https://www.solcorefitness.com/group-exercise-classes/

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May 25 2016

Personal Training Success- Julia Gelbart

Consistency, Commitment, Results—Meet Julia Gelbart, May Member of the Month

Sometimes success in personal training isn’t complicated at all: it’s about taking charge, showing up, and doing the work—just ask Julia Gelbart. Her outlook is refreshingly clear: as she gets older, she refuses to let her body slow her down, and with a positive attitude, she makes it happen day after day.

Julia’s motivation began with a friend’s recommendation, but her long-term results are her own. Prior to SolCore, she mixed in yoga, swimming, and walking, but wanted targeted strength and muscle “wake up”—especially in her upper body.

Q&A With Julia—What Works, What’s Hard, What’s Worth It

Q: What made you decide to start?
“I needed to wake up my muscles and strengthen my upper body—my friend Vikkie’s enthusiasm really pushed me to try!”

Q: What did you do before?
“I did yoga once a week, loved to walk, and swam regularly.”

Q: What results are you proud of?
“I wanted a preventative program for graceful aging and strength. I noticed my posture and movement improved over time, but one day going up stairs, I tripped—yet had the awareness and strength to catch myself and get right back up! No tiredness and no injury. That’s how I knew all the work was paying off.”

Q: Favorite (and least favorite) exercise?
“Frogs! So good for me, but always a challenge.”

Q: Biggest challenges or current goals?
“I’m always working on building and keeping my strength.”

Q: What do you like best about the program?
“Three things: the group energy (I didn’t want to quit when others kept going), constant corrections in class, and accountability—you notice when people miss and check in!”

Q: Advice to other SolCore Fitness members?
“Don’t quit!”

Q: What would you say to someone considering joining?
“If you want a program that will truly empower you as you age—keeping your body strong and balanced—this is it. Commit to yourself and your health. It works!”

Feeling motivated by Julia’s story? Learn how SolCore Fitness can help you commit to real, lasting change in Santa Fe:
https://www.solcorefitness.com/personal-training-and-manual-therapy/

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Mar 21 2016

Personal Training Success Story – Denise Johnson

Santa Fe personal training success client shares her journey

Meet Denise Johnson—Turning Setbacks Into Success

Some people just know how to work hard, and Denise Johnson is the definition of that spirit. Years of emergency room nursing, logging 250 cycling miles a week, and raising a family—Denise knows hustle. But when back pain hit and “working harder” didn’t fix it, she found herself at a frustrating crossroads.

With a nudge from her friend Amy Weyrauch, Denise gave SolCore Fitness a shot. She met challenges head-on, moving from skepticism to hope—and ultimately, to a brand new kind of success. Instead of giving up when the “just stretching” approach felt hard, Denise stuck to the process and proved that real results come from trusting the journey.

Q&A With Denise—Insight, Wins, and Encouragement

Q: What made you decide to start?
“My back was in constant pain from spinal stenosis, and I wanted to get back to real health and fitness. If you don’t have your health, you can’t enjoy the life you’ve worked for.”

Q: What did you do before?
“I was a spin instructor, racer, and avid walker, but nothing stopped the pain. I tried every modality out there, always with lukewarm results.”

Q: Results you’re proud of?
“My back feels fantastic! Myofascial stretching and ELDOA made a huge difference. I now know how to move properly, and I’m more connected to my health and fitness.”

Q: Favorite and least favorite exercises?
“I love all strength exercises, especially lifting weights. ELDOA and myofascial stretching? Still tough, but I know they’re what I need.”

Q: Challenges or current goals?
“Myself—continuing to grow and reconnect.”

Q: What do you like best about the program/trainer?
“The education. Learning how to move the right way and correct pain has been invaluable.”

Q: Advice to other members?
“Stick with it. The mental adjustment as you age is real, but support makes all the difference.”

Q: For someone on the fence?
“If you can’t commit to yourself, you can’t commit to anything. This program will help if you’re in pain.”

Feeling inspired by Denise’s commitment and results? Find your own strength and relief with SolCore Fitness:
https://www.solcorefitness.com/personal-training-and-manual-therapy/

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Feb 24 2016

Personal Training Success – Leslie Weinstein

Santa Fe personal training weight loss success story

Meet Leslie Weinstein—Retired, Inspired, and Getting Stronger

Leslie Weinstein’s story captures what SolCore Fitness is all about: giving people support, structure, and a doable program to help them thrive—no matter what health challenges or life stage they’re in. Referred by her friend Barbara, Leslie joined looking for more strength, less fear, and a retirement full of living—not limitation.

With thoughtful support and hard work, Leslie turned a pre-diabetic diagnosis and years of pain into incredible progress—losing weight, feeling confident, and living without the shadow of her blood disorder. Alongside her husband and her beloved dog Alice, Leslie is now enjoying Santa Fe with more energy and strength than she imagined possible.

Q&A With Leslie—Wisdom, Wins, and Real Talk

Q: What made you start?
“I was overweight, pre-diabetic, and tired of feeling helpless. This was my chance to make real change and enjoy an active retirement.”

Q: What did you do before?
“Doctor visits, PT for knee/back/shoulder, and water aerobics. They helped, but didn’t move the needle.”

Q: What results are you most proud of?
“Better stamina, strength, posture, and balance. I’m not afraid of falling anymore—I’ve lost 15lbs, dropped 10% body fat, and my back and shoulder feel great.”

Q: Favorite and least favorite exercise?
“I love almost everything—except for cardio, but it’s worth the challenge.”

Q: Current goals or challenges?
“More weight loss, better balance, stronger knees and back.”

Q: What’s best about the program?
“True attention from trainers, flexible plans, going beyond just muscles and bones.”

Q: Advice for other members?
“Don’t compare; just keep positive movement forward and do the best you can.”

Q: What would you say to someone on the fence?
“Try it for a few months, do your homework, and let the results surprise you. Investing in yourself really does come back around.”

Ready for your own breakthrough? Book a complimentary consult to discover how SolCore Fitness can help you reclaim strength and health in Santa Fe:
https://www.solcorefitness.com/free-consultation/

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Jan 29 2016

Personal Training Success Story – Susan Bennett

Meet Susan Bennett—Strong, Resilient, and Redefining What’s Possible

Susan Bennett’s story is all about perseverance—and proving that hard work (and a sense of humor) go a long way on the journey to feeling truly strong. As a busy professional, grandma, and athlete, Susan battled spinal stenosis, back pain, and knee surgeries for years. Even eight Advil a day and PT couldn’t give her the wins she wanted—until she took the leap with SolCore Fitness.

Referred by other group class members, Susan found more than just a new program—she found a new outlook. Her progress? The stuff of inspiration: mini pull-ups, monkey bars play, better skiing, and spontaneous compliments about her “floating” posture. Exercise is now a non-negotiable part of her days, stress is down, and confidence is up.

Q&A With Susan—Goals, Wins, and Words of Wisdom

Q: What made you decide to start?
“I have stenosis and an L4-L5 herniation, plus past knee surgeries. I was in pain and taking Advil like candy.”

Q: What did you do before?
“Osteopath, PT, cortisone shots—none really worked. I even tried Pilates at home.”

Q: What results are you proudest of?
“I can do a mini pull-up, play on monkey bars with my granddaughters, and ski stronger than ever. My posture and movement just feel freer and better judged by everyone around me.”

Q: Favorite and least favorite exercises?
“All the big moves—squats, pulls, pushes, twists, bends, rowing! Stretching is tough for me, but I know how much it helps, so I keep at it.”

Q: Current challenges or goals?
“Big pull-ups!”

Q: What’s best about the program?
“Specificity! Everything’s addressed. Having a set schedule means I always get a complete program.”

Q: Advice for other members?
“Don’t slack. Focus on your own needs—progress shows over time!”

Q: For someone on the fence?
“This is the place to reeducate your body, get rid of pain, and rediscover joy in your activities. Trust the process and you’ll progress.”

Want to discover how group exercise can help you reclaim posture, pain-free movement, and vitality in Santa Fe?
https://www.solcorefitness.com/group-exercise-classes-santa-fe/

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Jan 11 2016

Three Reasons your recreational activity shouldn’t be your whole routine

Why Fun Activities Alone Aren’t a Complete Plan

It’s incredibly common—especially in a place like Santa Fe—to fall in love with a sport or activity and hope that’s all it takes to stay fit. As a career personal trainer (who’s a bit obsessed with skiing), the truth is unavoidable: no recreational activity covers all the bases for balanced strength, lasting health, and injury prevention. Enjoyment matters, but a full, healthy routine is much more than simply repeating what’s fun.

Reason #1—It’s Not Tailored to Your Needs

Leaping into any activity without an honest, personalized assessment is like driving cross-country with no map—odds are, you’ll miss a turn. Fitness assessments cut through the guesswork by setting objective baselines for mobility, strength, performance, and function. This step clarifies weaknesses or imbalances that a favorite activity (skiing, cycling, tennis, yoga, etc.) won’t always reveal—until something hurts.

Skipping assessment and using generic programs means risking hidden compensations or movement faults. The repercussions? Years of subtle wear, faulty joint loading, or muscle imbalances that may only show up years later as pain or dysfunction.

Personalization is critical. A well-structured routine should take into account prior injuries, current needs, and realistic progression, mixing and matching with the seasons and the body’s feedback. No online class, YouTube video, or off-the-shelf program should ever replace that.

Reason #2—Endorphins Are Great, But Don’t Ignore Wear and Tear

Endorphin highs make activity rewarding—blood flows, mood lifts, and life feels better during and after the run or ride. But those good vibes can blind anyone to underlying risks. Without variety and structured maintenance, even the best-loved routine can mask nagging imbalances.

The classic example: runner’s knee (patellofemoral syndrome). Repetitive knee flexion in running, cycling, or skiing can slowly grind down cartilage, but early on it’s just a mild ache—easy to ignore over the endorphin buzz. Repetition amplifies movement faults; just because it doesn’t hurt now, doesn’t mean it won’t become a problem in the future.

Reason #3—Overuse, Stagnation, and Missed Recovery

Recreational routines by default tend to repeat the same movement patterns—and the body adapts quickly. Muscles, ligaments, and joints need stimulus in all planes of motion to be balanced, strong, and resilient. It’s not just about variety to avoid boredom (although that matters!)—it’s also about challenging your body beyond its favorite ruts.

A stale program leads to plateaus: the body stops responding, and improvements halt. More importantly, focusing on a single activity increases odds of overuse injuries, as some tissues absorb all the stress while others don’t get the chance to recover or strengthen.

Rest and cross-training are crucial. Mixing strength, mobility, stability, flexibility, and recovery (including sleep!) helps build lasting results, keeping both body and mind engaged. Overtraining or lack of recovery can disrupt hormone balance, rundown the immune system, and set the stage for burnout or injury.

How a Balanced Fitness Routine Sets You Up for Success

When you rotate foundational strength, mobility, assessment-based corrective work, and meaningful recovery days, you prepare your body for both your favorite hobbies and whatever real life throws your way. A great personal training program does three things:

Assesses where you are today (not where you wish you were)
Designs routines that fill your unique gaps, not just ride on strengths or preferences
Progresses you with variety, intensity, and recovery until you’re stronger, more confident, and resistant to injury

If you want to keep doing what you love for decades—without the slow creep of pain or injury—stop relying on one activity and start building a smarter, more holistically designed plan.

Ready for a comprehensive assessment, custom plan, or advice about optimizing your favorite activities?
https://www.solcorefitness.com/free-consultation/

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Dec 07 2015

Personal Training Success Story – John Bennett

Meet John Bennett—Tenacity, Curiosity, and a Comeback After Surgery

Some people set the bar for toughness—and John Bennett is one of them. From racing motorcycles to tackling five spinal surgeries and still living life at full speed, his story proves that grit alone isn’t enough for lasting health. It was pain—nagging and everywhere—that finally got John through the door at SolCore Fitness.

Unlike many, John chose curiosity over stubbornness. By trusting expert guidance and getting clear assessments, he moved from endless pain to real, measurable gains. The transformation? Remarkable: for the first time in years, he can touch his toes, breathe deeply, and get out of a chair pain-free. Flexibility, balance, and overall conditioning are better than ever—even after decades of “hard living.”

Q&A With John—Wisdom, Wins, and Hard-Earned Advice

Q: What made you decide to start?
“Pain! My back, legs, neck, hips… everywhere was hurting.”

Q: What did you do before?
“Always active—gym, weights, Stairmaster, PT, spinal surgery (five times!), but my body just felt broken.”

Q: What results are you most proud of?
“My overall conditioning is the best ever. Flexibility has improved—touching my toes is a big win. I can now get out of a chair without pain. And breathing, especially, is so much better.”

Q: Favorite and least favorite exercises?
“Wall squats and all the big muscle moves are my favorite. Ab roll-ups? Not so much!”

Q: Biggest goals or current challenges?
“Rolling up my abs is a work in progress!”

Q: What’s best about the program?
“The leadership and knowledge. Trusting expertise instead of guessing what my body needs.”

Q: Advice to other SolCore Fitness members?
“Do your homework!”

Q: What would you say to someone on the fence?
“Do it—this program genuinely helps. It’s made a world of difference for me.”

Ready for your own comeback—no matter your age or injury history? Discover how SolCore Fitness can help with pain, strength, and full-body confidence:
https://www.solcorefitness.com/personal-training-and-manual-therapy/

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Sep 09 2015

HIIT your workouts.

HIIT—The Science of Getting Fitter, Faster

With New Year’s resolutions (or swimsuit season) around the corner, everyone wants fat loss and fitness gains—fast. Here’s the good news: sound research proves you don’t have to spend endless hours on the treadmill. Short, high-intensity bursts (HIIT) can deliver all the metabolic, fat-burning, and heart-health benefits of hours of traditional cardio, in as little as 90 minutes a week.

A study from Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Birmingham split sedentary adults into two groups—one did just three HIIT sessions per week, while the other logged 5+ hours of low-intensity cardio per week. The results? Identical improvements in all health markers. That’s massive time savings, and a huge boost for anyone with a busy schedule.

Why Does HIIT Work So Well?

High-intensity intervals don’t just pack a punch in less time—they trigger unique physiological responses. Only this kind of exercise boosts Human Growth Hormone (HGH), the so-called “youth hormone” that helps burn fat, build muscle, and keep energy up as we age.

And then there’s the “afterburn” effect (EPOC): post-workout, the body keeps burning calories at a higher rate for hours, leading to faster fat loss with consistent effort.

How to Integrate HIIT for Truly Lasting Results

HIIT isn’t about going “all out” daily—it’s most effective (and safest) just 2-3 times per week, with a thoughtful progression of exercises and intensity. If you’re new or have any health concerns, get clearance from a doctor. Better yet, work with a qualified personal trainer: they’ll assess your baseline, program the right intervals, and ensure you progress safely while maximizing benefits.

And don’t forget: no program can out-train a bad diet. Even the best HIIT routines work best with smart nutrition—like metabolic typing and real, whole foods.

Start Strong, Stay Safe

Add HIIT into your week, pay attention to sleep, hydration, and recovery, and combine smart training with healthy eating. With the right professional support and consistency, HIIT can get you stronger, leaner, and fitter—in a fraction of the time.

Want a HIIT program personally designed for your goals and lifestyle?
https://www.solcorefitness.com/personal-training-and-manual-therapy/

Or are you interested in other services that work holistically?

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Sep 09 2015

How Exercise Is Also Brain Exercise How to Enlarge the Size of Your Brain

Exercise Is Brain Exercise—It’s More Than Muscles

Ever get the urge to break out of the “too much work, not enough play” routine? You’re not alone. Picture this: rafting the world’s deepest canyon in Peru, a group spans teens to 60+—and a woman in her late thirties realizes, mid-paddle, she’s the physically weakest in the group. That spark led her to a personal trainer, and over time something unexpected happened. Yes, she lost weight and got stronger. But her biggest gains? A brighter mood, better memory, and more focus. The puzzle: how does exercise change the brain?

From Rats in ‘Disneyland’ to Real-Life Results

Wendy Suzuki, a neural science professor, dove into research after her own exercise transformation. Classic animal studies, like Marian Diamond’s cherished rat experiment, show that stimulating, enriched environments—think play, space, activity—grow bigger, healthier brains than dull, unstimulating ones. The “secret sauce”? Movement. Rats with more toys and action had thicker cortices and more blood vessels—actual brain growth.

Creativity, Memory, and ‘Out of the Box’ Thinking—Thanks to Movement

Inspired by those findings, Suzuki reshaped her research (and published Healthy Brain, Happy Life) around exercise’s impact on human brains. She noticed improvements not just in her mood and memory, but creativity: easier brainstorming, new hobbies, adventurous collaborations. Science backs her up—a 2013 study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found regular exercisers score better on creativity tests than sedentary types, boosting both divergent and convergent thinking.

John Ratey’s influential book Spark takes it further, showing that exercise literally remodels your brain through neuroplasticity. The end result? More creative ideas, clearer focus, boosted resilience and mental edge—at every age.

Not Just for Athletes—Everyone Benefits

Whether you’re an artist, writer, entrepreneur, or just want to face each day sharper, consistent exercise isn’t just a body fix. It’s a brain upgrade. As Suzuki says: “Exercise can keep your brain healthy longer.” So the real win isn’t just fitting into your jeans—it’s boosting the most important muscle in your body: your brain.

See how a holistic exercise and fitness program benefits your whole being.

The Ultimate Guide For A Holistic Exercises And Fitness Program
https://www.solcorefitness.com/the-ultimate-guide-for-a-holistic-exercises-and-fitness-program/

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