Your body will adjust. These are the words of Don Lowcavage, my new trainer at Greer Athletic Club (GAC). He said them during our assessment session, my first workout session and again during group personal training.
I’m still trying to figure out all of the different ways my body will adjust. Adjust to 5 a.m. workouts twice a week? Adjust to the intense rapid pace? Adjust to Guerri, a 71-one-year-old regular, calling me out for stopping to catch my breath?

I’ll just have to trust that he knows what he is talking about. I’m at the beginning of a 12-week program. GAC is utilizing the most up-to-date knowledge available to shake up the way people get their bodies in optimal shape. When GAC owner George Gagnon asked me to participate, I eagerly signed the dotted line.

I’m starting the program in fairly good shape. I ran a half marathon in February and did a triathlon in May. But I’ve been amazed at how these workouts have found a way to exercise every muscle in my body. My abdominals are sore and I haven’t done the first crunch or sit-up. This approach engages my core (the entire width and breadth of my stomach) in other ways. I perform balance exercises using planks and suspension ropes. My workouts will consist of group personal training, Afterburn sessions and solo workouts following a plan made for my specific capabilities.

More adjusting will come as my body adapts to the program. Don said once my body begins to flourish in one program, he’s going to throw another one at me. When we continually sustain the same workouts, our bodies tend to adapt so much that we have to shake them up to keep making fitness gains. Over the course of the program, I’m going to take you with me as I learn to “adjust.” I know that even though I’ve practiced a lifetime of fitness, there is always more to learn, especially as I hit those middle years of life.

The program is for beginners too. Whatever a person’s goals, a program can be designed for them. The best part is that I should see changes earlier in the process, according to Don. Even though I can run five miles, my endurance will increase through short burst cardio activities. That’s the beauty for beginners too. Even if you can’t sustain a long session on the treadmill, you can do anything for 20 or 30 seconds.

My first full week started Monday. I’m stocking up on Epsom salts, both the regular and eucalyptus varieties, for soaking. I’m drinking lots of water and starting to track my calorie intake. I’m looking forward to showing Guerri that I can keep up with her, because at 5 a.m., she can rock out circuits with more vigor than I can.
If you want to know more about the program and learn to adjust, call Don or George at 877-4647.