62-Year-Old Gym Novice Gets Addicted, Transforms Life at PowerStrength
Mark Dunham never had interest in joining a gym for most of his life.
“I’ve never had a gym membership, ” Dunham stated. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else, because you go to the gym, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
However, he couldn’t help but notice how his boss had changed his life by coming to PowerStrength.
“My boss at the excavating company, he was coming (to PowerStrength) and I saw the transformation in his life, his strength, and losing weight,” Dunham said “It was always on my mind. I thought, ‘I gotta try that.’”
Eventually, an opportunity presented itself that he could not refuse.
Around the holidays, PowerStrength members are awarded a “gift of fitness” that they can give as a gift to anyone they choose.
“Finally he gave me the free pass, that 30-day pass, and I came and tried it, and I love it,” Dunham said. “Now I come 3 times a week.”
RESULTS
All 4 PowerStrength locations aim to foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere. No one is just another face, everyone that walks through the doors is part of the PSTS Family. The dedicated coaches are not just focused on fitness results, but building meaningful connections with each individual that walks in.
“I liked that they knew you by name when you come in the door right away, and everybody greets you,” Dunham said. “It is a very welcoming place and they look at your goals, I didn’t have that many goals. When I came in I wanted to get in a little better shape, get my balance back a little bit with age, and a little more strength.”
As PowerStrength does with all who enter, Mark met with an expert coach, in this case it was Derek Ehnis, the General Manager at the Jenison location, to learn what he was looking for, and to develop a plan to get him to where he wanted to be.
Through hard work and incredible consistency, Mark got even more than he was hoping for.
“Everybody is different, everybody has got different goals, and that’s OK, and that is what I like about it,” Mark said. “They strive to help you meet those goals.”
“I’ve lost 27 pounds, I put on muscle mass, balance is a lot better all around.”
In February, Mark participated in PowerStrength’s Strong30 Challenge, which has proven to be a catalyst for success. It revolved around 5 secret and rules that while simple, are not easy to accomplish. It’s the toughest challenge of the year, and anyone of any fitness level can do it.
It resonated perfectly with Mark.
“I did the Strong30 (Challenge), and it worked on nutrition, it starts with the mind. I like that attitude , even the spiritual side for me. It starts there and then proceeds to the strength and the well-rounded, healthier version of me, and that is what I want.”
“I learned about water intake, that even helps with weight loss, I wasn’t aware of that. We eat pretty healthy, my wife and I, but we cut out all of the sweets, and she actually did it with me and she doesn’t even go here. She dropped pounds and she is still doing it, and we both are. Dropped pounds, got into reading again, we are both reading again in the word of God, which is big for me.”
Mark’s transformation did not happen with incredible dedication on his part, he never misses a session and always shows up with a great attitude.
“Mark has had a great success story since joining,” Derek Ehnis said.
“He came to us and wanted to get stronger, but talk about a guy who is one of the most consistent people we have. I know when he trains, he never misses. He wanted to get strong again, and now he’s the strongest he’s been since he started at PowerStrength. He’s also been able to be healthier, his blood work is better, his numbers are better. He’s actually been able to improve his posture so much that he has actually gotten taller from consistent programming. He is one of the biggest success stories that I have seen in terms of what you can do with a few hours a week and not missing those sessions.”
ADDICTED TO POWERSTRENGTH
Mark is not just just getting healthier at PowerStrength, he has found a hobby that he is passionate about.
“Now, it’s almost like an addiction,” Mark said. “I want more than that, now I have goals, I want to get stronger, I just like the camaraderie, and the friendships I’ve made here. A lot of people rally around each other and that’s huge.”
“So it’s the well roundedness and it’s the whole balance of getting healthy, and I like that.”
Mark’s newfound passion for fitness hasn’t gone unnoticed by his wife, who admires his enthusiasm for going to the gym. She sees how much he enjoys his workouts and the positive impact they’ve had on his life.
“Probably the obsession, because I don’t miss my sessions,” Mark said about what she has noticed about him since starting at PSTS. “I dropped a couple pants sizes, we are going to go on a trip next week, and had to go buy some smaller shirts, those other shirts are too big. She knows I like to come, I try to maybe encourage her a little bit because everybody starts at their own level, that’s what’s neat about it, but when you’ve never been to the gym, you don’t know what to expect, so maybe with a Strong30 and a little bit of encouragement, maybe we can get her to join as well.”
DESIGNED FOR YOU
Mark’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of fitness at any age and fitness level. PowerStrength caters programs to each individual no matter the starting point.
“You come in here…. and they work with you and at your own pace, and they get you there, but it’s a process,” Mark said. “I always tell everybody that the weight didn’t come on overnight, it’s not coming off overnight either.”
No previous fitness experience is required to change your life at PowerStrength. Mark is proof of that.
“These guys (PowerStrength) come in, they have it laid out for me,” Mark said. “They tweak it to what you need at that point and time whether it be an injury or what have you. That’s what I like about it, the plan’s laid out when I come in every morning. I don’t have to think about it, I just go to work. I have to think about it over there at work everyday, and I plan for everybody else. It’s kind of nice that I come in here and I’m just ready to get after it.”
The customized workouts extend far beyond just exercises. PowerStrength coaches understand who their clients are and in what environment they thrive.
“These guys know that I like to be pushed so that helps me achieve my goals a little faster,” Mark said about the coaches at PSTS. “I think a lot of it is attitude, you come in with the right attitude and you’re going to succeed and these guys stress that, the coaches are great, I’ve made friendships with them, and they strive for that, I’m sure it’s an intentional thing, but it works.”
Mark will continue to move the chains as he only gets stronger and accomplishes new milestones at PowerStrength.
“He’s got some new goals, doing some chin-ups and things like that,” Ehnis said. “Every session we’re in here we are trying to challenge him and just move that needle a little bit more as he’s trained.”
READY FOR A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE?
Men and Women over 40 seeking a stronger, more energized lifestyle can join the personal training programs at PowerStrength. No previous workout experience is required as each program is customized to the fitness and ability level of each individual.
Multiple small group and private sessions are offered in the early morning, mid-morning, late afternoon, and evening.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.