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Russ and Karen: A Life Transformed Through PowerStrength
For Russ and Karen Miller, joining PowerStrength Training Systems in Holland wasn’t just about fitness—it was about reclaiming their lives.
From overcoming health challenges to rediscovering the joys of outdoor adventures, their journey stands as a testament to the power of a personalized training program and community support.
FROM PAIN TO POWER
Karen’s story is one of resilience and transformation.
Before joining PowerStrength, she spent 9 years battling debilitating knee pain that limited her ability to do even the simplest tasks.
The pain was so severe that she couldn’t stand for long periods, preventing her from meal prepping, engaging in hobbies, or even working comfortably as a seamstress making wedding dresses.
The idea of kayaking—one of her favorite pastimes—felt like an impossibility.
“The knees hurt so bad that I just quit doing everything,” Karen recalled
Determined to regain her mobility, Karen underwent 2 knee replacement surgeries in 2024, one in February and the other in June.
However, she knew that surgery alone wouldn’t be enough—she needed to rebuild her strength. That’s when she found PowerStrength.
“I saw the sign that said over 40,” Karen remembered. “I wasn’t going to be in a gym with all these little kids running around me. I like a gym where I’m not watching people who are elite athletes or high schoolers doing things, and then snickering because I can’t do that. And we had done other gyms, and that was what happened. Over 40, I thought I could do that.”
Karen initially began with Private 1-on-1 Training at PowerStrength’s Jenison location with the intention of transitioning to the Holland facility when it opened in November.
Being newer to training and unsure with her knee replacements, the support of a 1-on-1 Personal Trainer was a good start to ease her into an exercise routine.
The decision proved to be life-changing. With the guidance of PowerStrength’s expert coaches, she began rebuilding the strength and mobility she had lost over the years.
“I can now get to the floor,” she said. “I’m a bridal seamstress, and I must get to the floor to mark their hems. For the longest time, I had to either have somebody help me, or I was on a stool, and then it took 2 people to get me up. It was not good. I can now get to the floor, get up, not make a fool of myself, or fall over on a bride, which is always good.
Karen has surpassed expectations in her training at PowerStrength, achieving things that she once thought were out of reach.
“I just started the exercises on the floor, which my surgeon told me is probably not something I would ever do again,” she said.
Karen has also gained muscle and dropped body fat.
“I’ve lost some weight, my clothes fit differently now.”
Now, Karen is eagerly looking forward to kayaking this summer—an activity that once seemed impossible.
“It’s absolutely awesome,” she proclaimed. “I’m really anticipating a great kayak season. We love to kayak, but Russ had to get me up and out. And Russ didn’t have a whole lot of strength either before last year. I’m really looking forward to getting in and out on my own and enjoying it.”
RUSS JOINS THE JOURNEY
Inspired by his wife’s progress, Russ decided to join PowerStrength in December.
He had faced his own set of challenges, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis pain in his knees.
He had tried other gyms in the past but never stuck with them, always feeling like he was setting himself up for failure.
This time was different.
“I thought it was just going to be another gym that I was going to fail in,” Russ admitted. “But these coaches don’t allow me to fail. They show me the correct form and help me believe that I can do this. And once I got started, I realized—I can do this, and it’s been very encouraging!”
Russ began with Private 1-on-1 Personal Training sessions to build his confidence and comfortability in order to start regularly attending the Small Group Personal Training sessions that PowerStrength offers.
Learning and performing the exercises with 100% guidance that Private Training offers was the jumpstart that Russ needed. He was hooked and ready to join a Small Group.
The Small Group sessions are led by an expert Trainer 100% of the time with a self-paced, individualized training approach. The group is made up of people just like Russ and Karen; in their 40s, 50s, and 60s with the goals to get stronger, move better, and be healthier.
Russ began to train in 2 Small Group sessions per week, but quickly upgraded to 3 sessions a week, and the results are undeniable.
His knee pain has significantly diminished, his A1C levels have improved, and his blood pressure is coming down.
“It’s kind of neat to feel that there are muscles on the sides of my legs. I do look in the mirror from time to time and check the guns out,” Russ said with a laugh.
One of the biggest surprises for Russ has been the mental shift.
“I feel like I’ve accomplished quite a bit,” Russ stated. “I have the mentality of I need to keep this going, I want to keep it going. I’m getting the reward with every workout. I feel a lot different. My goal is to be physically fit and to be active, and this is helping to do that.”
REDISCOVERING STRENGTH AND PASSION
Both Russ and Karen have gained more than just physical strength—they have a renewed energy for life.
This summer, Karen is filled with excitement as she and Russ make plans for outdoor adventures—something that once felt impossible due to knee pain. Now, thanks to her training at PowerStrength, she’s ready to embrace every moment with energy and confidence.
“We are actually making plans,” she said. We’re doing more camping. I used to dread the whole thought of packing up for camping or riding bikes or doing anything that took physical movement, I didn’t want to travel because travel requires walking and carrying suitcases. Now, we have trips planned in June, August, and October. We’re doing more, and I’m mentally ready to do that.”
Russ, an avid fisherman, was thrilled to carry out the necessary tasks on a recent ice fishing trip with his kids.
“I was able to take stuff out of the car just fine and tow it across the lake, and I was feeling a lot more energetic.”
He can’t wait to get his rowboat back in the water and go kayaking with Karen this season—he’s so confident in his newfound mobility that he knows he’ll be able to get in and out with ease, a stark contrast to the struggle he used to have before training at PowerStrength.
“I fish for carp, and they come out of the water at 25 or 30 pounds,” Russ said. “Before, picking them up for a photo was a real struggle. That’s why I’m doing these weights—so I can actually pick up the fish and enjoy the moment.”
LIVING STRONGER
Russ and Karen have 3 adult children and a 10-year-old granddaughter who have all noticed their remarkable transformations.
“My kids were over for my birthday,” Russ recalled. I just turned 64, but I feel like I could move those numbers around now, 46 maybe. They do notice a difference. They’re happy that both Karen and I have found a way to get mobile and be healthy.”
On their recent visit to see their daughter in Kansas City, Russ and Karen were able to do so much more—exploring the city, walking longer distances, and staying active the entire trip.
The joy wasn’t just theirs; their daughter loved seeing them full of energy, moving with ease, and truly enjoying every moment together.
“She saw a difference, too,” Russ said. “Instead of doing things where you sit around, we wanted to do active things, so there’s a difference.”
“We were able to walk around, and I was not [dying],” Karen added.
The couple is most excited about spending quality time with their 10-year-old granddaughter in a way they couldn’t before.
“Before, we would just sit around and talk with her,” Russ said. “Now, she’s active in sports and wants to do things outside. And we’re ready. We’re ready to go do stuff.”
They are no longer missing out on the things they were sacrificing before.
“We went shopping,” Karen said about spending time with her granddaughter. “We walked all over, she and her friend went, I’ve taken them twice now, then we go grab a meal, and it’s great because it’s a relationship.”
THE POWERSTRENGTH DIFFERENCE
Russ and Karen both credit PowerStrength’s coaching and community for their success. Unlike other gyms where members are left to figure things out on their own, PowerStrength provides hands-on guidance, accountability, and a welcoming environment that makes training enjoyable.
“I think the difference is the results,” Russ said. “The difference is a journey that I’m not trying to do alone. It’s an investment, but if you just have a small investment, it’s kind of a small commitment. The benefit is the coaches and the mentality that this is normal. These workouts are part of our lives now. Here, I’m motivated.”
The couple sees their training at PowerStrength as an investment in their health. happiness, and future. They know the long-term benefits far outweigh the cost—staying strong, active, and full of energy is priceless, especially when the alternative comes with its own expenses.
“Not being able to move costs a lot too, there’s medical costs, landscaping costs, painting costs, anything you need to do for your home when you can’t move. The cost of coming here is a lot cheaper than all of those things. I had to pay a kid to weed my garden because I couldn’t get down on the ground. This spring, I can take care of that myself and not pay somebody.”
At PowerStrength, the Millers have found more than just a gym—they’ve found a new way of life. And for Russ and Karen, the future has never looked brighter.
“My mom lives with us, and I know at 91, she can’t weed a garden or paint walls,” Karen said. “I don’t know where I’ll be at that point, but I don’t want to give up yet. I’m going to weed my garden, I’m going to paint my walls, it’ll be great.”
READY TO TAKE CONTROL?
Men and Women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who want to get stronger and have more energy can join the Personal Training Program at PowerStrength at any time. No previous workout experience is required as each program is customized to the fitness and ability level of each individual.
Multiple personal training sessions are offered in the early morning, mid-morning, late afternoon, and evening. Find your nearest PowerStrength location – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.
