Chad’s Transformation: Consistency, Strength, and a Pain-Free Run

For Chad Ackermann, athletics have always played a central role in his life. As a former college football player and longtime fitness enthusiast, Chad was no stranger to working out. But after years of wear and tear on his body—nagging injuries, chronic knee pain, and the demands of everyday life—his training had become inconsistent. 

Running, something he once loved, had become nearly impossible due to sharp knee pain. Lower body workouts had all but disappeared from his routine, replaced by cautious upper body lifting at home and Peloton sessions.

Fast forward six months into his PowerStrength Training Systems journey, and Chad is not only running again—he’s running pain-free.

“I didn’t know if I was always going to have pain in my knees,” Chad said. “It had been five or more years since I could run without sharp pain in my knee. But a couple of months after I started here, I felt good enough to try again—and I was able to do it.”

A FAMILY DECISION, A NEW BEGINNING

Chad’s introduction to PowerStrength’s Personal Training Program for adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s came through his wife, Stephanie, who joined in August of 2024. She was battling significant health issues, including cancer and autoimmune conditions, and couldn’t even lift above her shoulder at the time. But the way the PowerStrength team worked with her moved Chad to take a closer look.

“She was my inspiration,” Chad said. “They were able to help her adapt and still get stronger. I could see how they were working with her and the impact that was having on her.”

Chad officially joined three months later, in November. At that point, he had spent the past 15–20 years avoiding leg training entirely to protect his back, and the results of that were starting to catch up with him. 

His goals were simple: regain consistency, reduce pain, and get back to doing the things he enjoyed—like running and feeling strong.

FROM SETBACKS TO STRENGTH

What stood out to Chad almost immediately was the structure, variety, and attention to detail at PowerStrength.

“I just felt better,” he said. “We warm up properly. That’s something I haven’t been good at historically. It’s just taking the time to stretch and do the things to get your body ready. We use bands and other things, which I think have helped my knees and other areas that have been sore in the past, to strengthen some of the tendons and muscles around my joints. I haven’t had that pain anymore in my shoulder or my knees. So that’s enabled me to run and to do some things that I haven’t done in a long time.” 

One of the reasons Chad avoided lower body lifting for so long was the fear of reinjury. But the intentional progression, mobility work, and customized coaching at PowerStrength helped him build confidence. 

“I haven’t had any pain when I’ve been lifting,” Chad said. “I just went out and tried running, and it (knee) was fine. I kind of gradually started to build up where I’m doing a mile, a couple of miles, three miles. It’s been good to be able to get out and do that again.”

RESULTS THAT STICK

Chad’s transformation hasn’t just been about performance. He’s also well on his way to achieving his weight loss goal, having already lost 12 pounds of his targeted 20, while simultaneously adding muscle.

“The first time I weighed in, I dropped 2% body fat. I’ve dropped about 3–4% total, and now the weight is starting to fall off, and I’m getting much closer to where I want to be.” 

The key has been daily habits—nutrition, hydration, sleep—and a member challenge called Spring Leaning. PowerStrength offers member-challenges throughout the year. This guided program was specifically designed to finish Spring confident, build habits, and tackle goals ahead of the Summer, which has helped Chad take things up a notch.

“It just makes you aware of what you’re putting into your body. And I think when you do that, you get more disciplined and see results faster. It’s just kind of a compounding effect, it just gets you into good habits.”

FULL-CIRCLE STRENGTH

Today, Chad is a different person than the one who first walked into PowerStrength last fall. He’s leaner, stronger, pain-free, and more motivated than ever. He’s found a training environment that supports his goals, adapts to his body, and pushes him without breaking him down.

“I can feel muscles in my legs that I haven’t felt in like 20 years. As we’re doing different exercises, I’m starting to add on a lot more weight than I had when I started six months ago.” 

His journey has come full circle, and with his wife also thriving in the program and his son having trained at PowerStrength during his high school and college years, the Ackermanns are a true PowerStrength family.

“I knew PowerStrength was good for athletes who were in high school and in college. But what I didn’t really understand is the program they had for older people like me. They’ve got a really good program for people of all ages. They can work with you, where you are, and tailor the programs to help you get done what you want to.”

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.