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A New Beginning: How Tim Made More Progress in 1 Year Than in 25
For 25–30 years, Tim Ballinger did what many lifelong gym-goers do.
He showed up. He lifted consistently. He followed his own programs.
He considered himself a “gym rat.”
And yet, after just 1 year of training at PowerStrength, Tim says something that stops people in their tracks:
“I’ve actually gotten more gains here than I have in the last 25, 30 years from lifting.”
That’s not hype. That’s the perspective from someone who’s been doing this for decades.
FROM INDEPENDENT LIFTER TO COACHED ATHLETE
Tim spent time at a couple of different chains.
Like most commercial gyms, there wasn’t much structured coaching.
“There’s not a whole lot of trainers there,” he said. “So you got to go by your own program… I did bro splits. 3 days one, 3 days another, then a day of rest. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last 10-15 years.”
When his wife gave him a VIP gift to PowerStrength for Christmas, he figured he’d try it.
“She said, ‘Here, try this place out, see what you think.’”
He had never worked with a trainer before.
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE: COACHING + CAMARADERIE
The change was immediate.
“The biggest difference is the trainers… and the camaraderie with the people.”
Instead of guessing his way through workouts, Tim now trains inside a structured small group setting — typically alongside 2 to 5 other adults in their 40s, 50s, or 60s — with certified coaches designing and progressing his program.
The environment added something he didn’t expect:
Friendly competition.
“There are a couple of people that we kind of go back and forth. I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re picking up that weight? Okay.’ So then I take 5 pounds more. And he’s like, ‘What are you doing?’”
It’s not ego lifting.
It’s accountability, energy, and progression.
“It changes every month,” he said. “And you’re getting gains — a few pounds here, losing some body fat there. It’s made a big difference for me.”
STRONGER THAN HIS 20S
If you asked Tim’s wife what’s different, the answer would be obvious.
“Clothes fit differently. I’m a lot stronger by all means. I’m lifting more now than I did in my 20s, to be honest with you.”
Let that sink in.
He’s lifting more now — in his 50s — than he did in his 20s.
But he’s doing it smarter.
“I don’t have to lift so hard that I can’t walk the next couple of days,” Tim said. “The weight’s down, feeling better, more energy. Things are easier. It’s easier to do everyday stuff now.”
At work, that strength shows up too.
“When somebody says they can’t move that, I’m like, let me take a look at it… I’m not showing off. I’m just a lot stronger.”
IT’S NOT JUST PHYSICAL
Tim trains on set days each week. He knows who’ll be there. He knows his training partners.
“Mondays. I know Jason’s there, Mike’s going to be here. So I got a training partner. 3:45 — time to get ready.”
When he was sick and had to miss time, he felt it — not just physically, but mentally.
That structure, consistency, and community matter.
LONGEVITY OVER EGO
Tim doesn’t train to impress anyone. He trains for longevity.
“Lifting is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Each day you’re getting better in increments.”
He sees what happens when people don’t prioritize strength as they age.
“Some of my friends are having a hard time tying their shoes or walking… I’m like, this would benefit anybody.”
His kids are grown now — triplets who all train at PowerStrength when they’re home from college — but Tim is already thinking about the next stage.
“Soon, they’ll have kids down the road. It’ll be easier to play with them.”
That’s the vision—strength not just for now — but for decades.
GUIDED PROGRESS BEATS GUESSWORK
Tim trained on his own for decades. He wasn’t lazy. He wasn’t inconsistent.
He simply lacked individualized programming and professional progression.
“You get a trainer, and they set the program up for you based on your goals. They work with you to reach those goals.”
And when setbacks happen?
“Last year I pulled what I thought was my hamstring… I talked with the trainers… they worked with me. And over time, I just get stronger.”
That’s the difference between wandering and advancing.
A SHIFT IN NUTRITION
With coaching came better nutritional habits.
Through member challenges at PowerStrength, Tim has adjusted his approach.
“No more chips… more chicken, broccoli, healthier snacks. That’s helped quite a bit.”
Small adjustments, applied consistently, produced measurable change.
A NEW BEGINNING
We asked Tim to finish one sentence: PowerStrength is…
He didn’t hesitate.
“PowerStrength for me is a new beginning. I just want to see what I’m really capable of.”
After 25–30 years in the gym, that’s a powerful statement. Because the lesson isn’t that Tim wasn’t working hard before. It’s that there was more potential there than he realized.
Under the guidance of certified coaches, surrounded by accountability and progression, he finally unlocked it.
Tim’s story is proof that sometimes the biggest gains don’t come from doing more.
They come from doing it right.
READY TO MAKE YOUR NEXT 10 YEARS YOUR STRONGEST EVER?
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, Holland, or Byron Center.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.