Standing Strong and Being Heard
C o v e r S t o r y
The Gym Buds
Standing Strong and Being Heard
Gym Buds Assemble ! L to R Trainer Iris Greco , Nancy DiCicco , Pam Rosenfeld , Gracie Moreo , Charles Torres , and Tommy DiCicco
We have all heard that running , brisk walking , biking , and swimming are some forms of aerobic exercise which help to strengthen our cardiovascular system . By making our hearts beat faster aerobic exercise improves circulation thereby allowing our bodies to use oxygen more efficiently .
But did you know that strength or resistance training is also good for strengthening your heart ? By the time we reach our 30s muscle wasting has already begun , especially if we are sedentary or have neglected to nourish our bodies appropriately . Activities of daily living as simple as walking up the stairs , getting up from a chair or carrying groceries become more difficult as our muscle mass decreases . As movement becomes more difficult and painful , we move less , and muscle wasting is exacerbated .
Loss of mobility then leads to weight gain , disease , accelerated aging , and loss of independence . Muscle wasting also increases our risk of falling and the complications caused by falling , such as loss of mobility which in turn leads to , you guessed it , more muscle loss .
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Somebody , please get me off this hamster wheel !
Spring 2017 FIT to Print
by Iris Greco
Don ' t despair . All is not doom and gloom , and it ' s never too late to reverse the effects of muscular atrophy . * A study from the University of Michigan has shown that seniors can build about 2.5 pounds of lean muscle mass over 19 weeks of progressive strength training , and strength increased by 25-30 % over the same period .
Anyone and everyone can benefit from properly executed strength training . As an example , I would like to introduce you to the “ Gym Buds .” The Gym Buds are a group of five very different individuals who have improved their quality of life through strength training . They are different in personalities , gender , age , abilities , health goals , and needs . If you ' re in the habit of coming to Fitness Incentive in the very early morning hours , then you have certainly seen them or most definitely have heard them .
Allow me to introduce you to the Gym Buds , an extraordinary group of friends brought together by strength training .
I first met Grace ( Gracie ) Moreo when she joined our gym in 2009 after suffering the devastating loss of her fiancée due to a heart attack . As the mother of 5-year-old Casey , Grace was determined to improve her health through exercise and better eating habits . I was immediately drawn to Grace because she is genuine , kind , and one of the most positive people I have ever known . Fortunately for me , Grace hired me as her trainer , and she has worked and continues to work tirelessly to improve her health . Grace is the glue that keeps the group together . She keeps them organized , keeps track of their progress and never , ever , forgets anyone ' s birthday .
Pam ( Spamalot ) Rosenfeld started strength training with me about seven years ago because she had been diagnosed with arthritis in her knees and had been told that she eventually would require total knee replacement surgery . Pam exhibited muscular atrophy ( muscle loss ) which caused her to be in pain and greatly affected her mobility . She was receiving injections into the knees to alleviate her discomfort . Unfortunately , the relief was temporary , and Pam ' s frustration was growing . We embarked on a total body strengthening program with an emphasis on her legs and core , and the pain in her knees gradually started to disappear until she no longer required the gel injections . In the process , Pam has experienced increased bone density among other health improvements . Pam is the quietest of the group and often , stoically , takes the fall for her mates ’ wrongdoings .
I first met Tom ( Baby Toe ) DiCicco when he started taking my spinning classes and Jenn DiPalma , a former trainer at Fitness Incentive , used to come in to check his blood pressure . Tom was new to Fitness Incentive and was being monitored because he had suffered a stroke and a heart attack . As his cardiovascular fitness improved , the blood pressure monitoring was no longer necessary . When Fitness Incentive announced the Fantastic Four fitness challenge , Tom was determined to participate and asked me to lead his team . He enlisted his wife , Nancy , who in turn enlisted a fellow indoor cyclist , Charles , to join the team . The fourth spot was filled by Gracie , and that ' s how it all began . I was nervous to work with Tom at first because of his health history , but I ' m glad that I accepted the “ challenge ” and have never regretted doing so . Tom pushes himself harder than anyone I ' ve ever worked with . He seldom misses a session or a day at the gym for that matter . When he started training , he would have to take numerous breaks to bring his heart rate down but can now complete an entire hour session with the same rest periods or “ two-minute warnings ” as he calls them as the rest of the group . He is an inspiration to us all through his hard work and dedication to his family and friends . He makes us all laugh - actually , he makes the whole gym laugh !
Nancy ( doesn ' t have a nickname ) DiCicco used to take my spinning classes at the YMCA back in the day . Because of her beauty and grace , she is a person who is easily noticed and not easily forgotten . When she joined Fitness Incentive , at her daughter Michelle Pepito ’ s urging , I recognized her immediately and was very happy to have her once again riding in my class . Nancy was already in terrific shape ,
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