This month, I celebrate 20 years since I qualified as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist and moved to the Algarve.
During this time, I feel I have grown and evolved along with my business, and it is interesting to reflect back and look at the changes that have happened and how the fitness industry has changed, especially with social media. Twenty years ago, Facebook had only just been launched!
Unfortunately, there are still many quick-fix promises and fad diets, but there is a growing trend around longevity and the need to incorporate fitness into our everyday lifestyle. There is more and more evidence that maintaining muscle mass as we age can help our health in many ways. One of the biggest changes I feel over the last 20 years is for women (and men) to realise that lifting weights is essential as we age, and it is never too late to start. In the past, the free weight area of a gym would be very male-dominated, with women using a gym for classes or the cardio machines, and you would very rarely see women in their 60s, let alone 70s or 80s, using them.
Another change is realising that our health and well-being are very much more holistic. Over the years, as I have continued my learning and education, these areas have all blended when I am with clients. It is not just about gym training but also incorporating yoga, breath work, meditation, nutrition, injury rehab, menopause, sleep, stress and other areas that impact our health.
As I age, it is one area I become very passionate about, and I love that I can help people build strength, mobility and flexibility as they age.
I feel very privileged to have worked in this role over the last 20 years, and I will continue to do so for the next 20 years to ensure that we all are ‘fit2lovelife’!
To celebrate my 20th anniversary, I am having an open day and drinks on Tuesday, 10 December, from 3 pm to 8 pm at Fit2loveLife in Burgau. Everyone is welcome to come along.
