Mother and Three Sons Find Strength Together
For four members of the Ricord family, PowerStrength Training Systems isn’t just a gym – it’s a shared experience that has brought them closer than ever before.
“We’ll sit over dinner and have a conversation about the workouts that we did and where we were that day, and what we lifted and what we’re trying to lift,” Angela Ricord said. “It’s really a good bonding for all of us.”
Three of Anglea’s five sons train at PowerStrength with her as they build stronger bodies and even stronger family relationships in the process.
ANGELA RICORD: SETTING THE TONE
As a mother of six, Angela knows a thing or two about managing a busy household. But amidst the demands of family life, she has found time to focus on her own health and fitness.
“If I would have known what it was all about when I started, I probably would have started a lot sooner,” she said.
Angela is part of the Over 40 Personal Training program at PowerStrength, designed specifically for individuals in their 40s, 50s, an 60s who want to live a healthier, stronger, and more energetic lifestyle.
“I had been working out at home for a couple of years, and I had seen growth in myself, but I just needed more accountability,” she said. “I needed somebody to help me in specific areas with how to train, how to build muscle, how to keep myself accountable. And the trainers here just make it so easy. They make it so you come in, you don’t have to think about it. You’re just here, and for the hour that you’re training, they take over. They help you, they guide you, they give you everything that you need to make sure you’re doing it safely and effectively. They’re very motivating.”
She is moving the needle when it comes to being stronger and feeling great.
“I definitely know I’ve gained muscle,” Angela said. “I’m able to lift more than I had in the past, not knowing how much I was lifting at home because I wasn’t really tracking it at all. But the different InBody tests that they do here to see and the different challenges that they offer to members, sometimes monthly, you’ll be able to see where you start, at the beginning month to the end of the month. It’s nice to be able to see it. Not just feel the difference, but I definitely feel stronger, I feel healthier.”
Since joining PowerStrength, Angela has not only improved her physical fitness but also become an inspiration to her family. She has embraced the community spirit of the gym, which has made her journey much more than just about physical gains. Her dedication has inspired her sons to take their own fitness seriously, leading to shared progress and pride.
“She’s been more smiley I’d say,” her youngest son Jaxon said.
TRENTON RICORD: REACHING GOALS
Trenton, Angela’s college-aged son, may not play sports, but that hasn’t stopped him from making strong strides at PowerStrength. His goal was simple: add muscle and get bigger. Since starting training, he has packed on over 30 pounds of muscle and feels better than ever.
“I was just a little guy and I wanted to get bigger,” he said. “I don’t play sports after high school. I just wanted to get as big as I possibly could. And I came in here at 160 pounds and now I’m sitting just under 200 so that’s huge for me. I just feel a lot better.”
Though his motivations differ from his athlete brothers, Trenton’s journey is no less impressive. His commitment to improving his strength and energy levels has paid off, and now he walks with a new sense of confidence. He has added more than 80 pounds to his max bench and over 70 pounds to his max squat.
“I hit 225 pounds for two (reps) the other day, which is a huge goal for me,” Trenton said about the bench press. “So that was really cool. The most I even squatted in high school was probably like 200 or 205, and the last time I tested, it was 275 here, so huge gains.”
He wishes he had known about PowerStrength sooner.
“I totally wish I did this in high school, and that would be my one piece of advice is, I was nervous of coming, but then as soon as I came, it was life-changing.”
It has given him more than just physical growth, it’s become a cornerstone of his daily life and a place where he connects with family through shared experiences.
ELI RICORD: BIG DREAMS
Eli is a high school senior and baseball player. PowerStrength has been a secret weapon in his quest to pitch in college. He needed to increase his velocity to catch the attention of college scouts. Since joining the High School Athlete Program at PowerStrength, Eli has added an impressive 7 miles per hour to his fastball, a milestone that has transformed his confidence on the mound.
“It really improved my confidence,” he said. “I didn’t feel as confident when I couldn’t throw as hard. Everyone can hit 75-77 mph but as soon as you hit 82-83mph it’s a big difference. And then you can really start messing with the hitters. Soon as you can get that velo up, then you can change speeds. It’s really brought my confidence up from PowerStrength.”
“The gains that he made over last winter to get him ready for the baseball season were just incredible, something that we had never seen with the growth with him before,” Angela added.
The physical transformation has given him the strength and endurance to perform at his peak. With college scouts watching, Eli’s hard work is paying off as he inches closer to his dream of playing baseball at the next level.
“Just my pitching in general, just dialing it into the strike zone. Throwing strikes, and especially in high school, you can just get the edge on the hitters. I mean, it’s a big difference, it really is.”
Eli’s training hasn’t just improved his pitching, he’s also added significant muscle, adding 35 pounds to his frame. Strength training combined with expert nutrition guidance delivered optimal results.
“I was 170 pounds and then I ended up just bulking over the summer, the winter, eating as much as I could, got up to 205,” he said. “It was eating anywhere between 3 to 4000 calories would really get me there. Just starting to eat breakfast was really just a big improvement. I mean, from going to school and skipping breakfast, just having just a little bit in the morning really boosted it.”
He is benefiting from being around other like-minded individuals, training alongside other athletes with big goals who are serious about improving and reaching another level.
“It really makes a big difference training with somebody that pushes you, rather than somebody that just stands around or if you’re training by yourself,” he said. “I mean, being an extra motivation to just push you. It really makes a difference.”
JAXON RICORD: STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE
Jaxon, a high school junior and another standout baseball player in the family, also trains at PowerStrength. While he doesn’t plan to pursue baseball in college, his goal is to be the best he can be during his high school years. His training has led to improvements in both his physicality and his performance on the field.
“I was trying to gain weight and muscle. I was at 160 pounds and I couldn’t get past it, now I’m at 180, so I’ve gained about 20 pounds,” Jaxon said. “I’ve been more confident in my athletics and what I do. I feel more athletic, I feel stronger.”
Last season, Jaxon saw noticeable improvement at the plate, a result of the strength training he’s done at PowerStrength.
“Yeah, I’d say it felt more successful,” Jaxon said. “My batting average was up this year. That was one success I had.”
For him, it’s about pushing the limits and knowing he’s giving his best effort, whether it’s on the field or in the gym.
“Everyone’s friendly,” he said about the coaches at PowerStrength. “They always bring your spirits up. They always help you either if it’s with a workout or in your personal life, they always help you. It’s a great atmosphere.”
A SHARED JOURNEY
What makes the Ricord family’s story so special is how PowerStrength has become a common thread in their busy lives, bringing them closer together. When together, they compare workouts, share progress, and motivate each other.
“We could go on and on about it,” Trenton said. “And when we come in and work out with each other, and we give each other that brotherly love throughout the workout. It’s fun, it makes it even more entertaining than it is. It’s a really cool bond.”
Eli says it is one of his mom’s favorite topics when she sees the kids.
“She always comes home and talks about it, and how we always compare workouts,” he said. “It’s really fun to just be like, ‘I did this, I did that. Oh, I did that last week. I did this much. Oh, I did this much.’ It is something to talk about.”
“At our dinners, we always talk about what we’ve done here and all the good moments we’ve had,” Jaxon added. “It has brought us closer.”
The Ricord’s collective commitment to health and fitness is a testament to the power of family, hard work, and a community that pushes you to be your best.
As the Ricords continue to thrive, one thing is clear, the strength they’re building isn’t just physical, it’s the strength of family, built one session at a time.
GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH
5th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can sign up at PowerStrength at any time while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, and Plainfield – with a 5th facility in Holland opening in November 2024!
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athletes to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.