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Stronger Together: How 2 Grandmothers Found Friendship, Strength, and a Healthier Life
When you meet long-time friends Kandy and Martha, you’re immediately struck by their warmth, laughter, and undeniable strength, not just physical, but the kind that comes from years of life experience and perseverance.
Both women, training at PowerStrength’s Jenison facility, are walking proof that aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. In fact, for them, it meant picking up speed—literally and figuratively.
FRIENDS AND FITNESS PARTNERS
Kandy and Martha first met years ago at another fitness facility, bonding over their shared values and goals.
“We had a group of us that had been working out together for a while,” Martha said. “It was fun and social, and I liked it.”
But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. Kandy, who lives close to PowerStrength Jenison, was the first to make the switch.
“I saw an ad and ended up here,” she said. “I’ve always liked lifting weights, and PowerStrength’s small group training—five to six people per expert coach—fits perfectly into my schedule. It wasn’t just the workouts, it was the attention to detail. Having someone critique your form and walk you through it made a big difference.”
After seeing the strength changes in Kandy, Martha took notice. Kandy invited her to a training session for her to experience personal training firsthand.
Martha didn’t join right away. In fact, it took her a year after that session to join PowerStrength.
MEETING YOU WHERE YOU ARE
What sold Martha wasn’t flashy marketing or a sales pitch—it was the trainers’ ability to meet her where she was.
Martha has lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over two decades. She needed more than just a hard workout; she needed a smart one.
“I had a setback with my joints,” Martha recalled. “I knew I still needed to work out, but I couldn’t do what I was doing. PowerStrength worked with me—modifying exercises, making sure I was pain-free, and still building strength. It changed everything.”
For both women, the expert-level coaching has been the foundation of their success.
“I’ve done group classes before,” Martha said, “but you don’t get help with form. You’re just taught as a whole. Here, it’s like, ‘Martha, this is what you need.’ That has made a world of difference.”
STRENGTH WITH PURPOSE
The benefits of their training extend far beyond the gym walls. Both Kandy and Martha are grandmothers, and their strength has become a cornerstone of their roles in their grandchildren’s lives.
“I have 3 young grandkids,” Martha shared. “When they say, ‘Grandma, pick me up,’ I never want to say, ‘I can’t.’ One day, I even said out loud, ‘Grandma can do this. I’m strong.’ Now they say, ‘Grandma, you are strong!’”
It’s a full-circle moment for Martha, who remembers struggling to care for her own kids when her autoimmune disease first emerged.
“To go from not being able to tie their shoes to now being able to give my kids that care to their kids—that’s a huge turnaround in my life.”
Kandy echoes that sentiment: “If I have my grandkids on a day, we’ll even work out together. We foam roll, and Barbie works out with us. I go swimming with them, run at the park—I can keep up. That means everything to me.”
Whether it is with the grandkids or not, she feels the benefits of training when it comes to staying active and enjoying life outside.
“We also do a lot of hiking and camping, and I notice my balance is probably better now than it was 10 or 20 years ago,” Kandy said. “So I’ve been able to continue doing other things in life that I want to do, and I think it just builds confidence as much as anything.”
A NEW OUTLOOK ON HEALTH
Kandy, who also manages Hashimoto’s disease, knew she had to make a change.
“When I came into PowerStrength, they almost discouraged me from starting, saying I needed to get things under control first. But I said, ‘I know the results might be slow, but I need to start now.’ And I did. The inflammation is gone, and I feel so much better.”
Her mindset has shifted, too.
“I’ve taken the priority off the scale and put it on how I feel. And I feel a whole lot better.”
Martha has seen measurable gains as well.
“One of the trainers pointed out that I used to lift just 10 pounds—now I’m doing 70. I can feel the difference every time.”
MORE THAN A GYM
What keeps them coming back, beyond the results, is the environment. PowerStrength serves adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s—many are Grandmas—like Martha and Kandy.
The camaraderie among members and the relationship with the coaches have made PowerStrength a second home.
“They push and encourage in a very positive way,” Kandy said. “We’ve built a group here. We even go out for breakfast together after workouts sometimes. It feels like family.”
Martha adds, “I love what the sign says when you walk in: ‘You’ve done the hard part, now let us take over.’ That nails it for me. I’m not disciplined enough to work out at home, but when I walk in here, they take over—and they know exactly where I’m at and what I can do.”
INVESTING IN LONGEVITY
Both women acknowledge that PowerStrength is a bigger financial investment than some other gyms. But to them, the value far outweighs the cost.
“That’s what kept me from coming at first,” Martha admitted. But after I started, it benefited me so much that I wasn’t going to quit.”
Kandy agrees. “The money’s going to get spent either way—on medical bills or on being healthy. I’d rather live longer and stronger.”
A MESSAGE TO OTHERS
To those who are hesitant or unsure if it’s the right fit, Kandy and Martha have a simple message:
“You need the weights,” Kandy said. “Osteoporosis, balance, strength—it all matters as you age. You don’t want to wait until you’ve lost it to try and get it back.”
Martha adds, “This is about being strong for your life—for your kids, your grandkids, and yourself. Strength is a pillar of aging well, and we’re proof that it’s never too late to start.”
At PowerStrength, Kandy and Martha didn’t just find a new gym. They found the next level of life. A stronger one. A more confident one. And thanks to that strength, they’re giving the next generation of their families the greatest gift: an example to follow.
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.
