Karrie
#Whyweloveher
Karrie
#Whyweloveher
WHAT WAS YOUR FITNESS EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO MOVE?
As a yoga instructor I've always been drawn to mat related forms of movement. I used to run when I was younger but sore knees made this impossible. I tried to workout in a gym but really didn't enjoy it. I found yoga as a way to remove the impact on my knees and still get daily movement and flexibility. I have never lifted weights or any strength training except one CrossFit session years ago which I thought was not for me.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?
Whilst pregnant I developed PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain) and have been suffering ever since. I've seen doctors, physicians and numerous physiotherapists. Once I arrived in Toronto I was told I needed to strengthen my glutes and limit the stretching. I walked past MOVE a few times - I loved the aesthetics and the fact that it was women only, but the RIG looked intimidating and I was terrified to go in. I plucked up the courage and Kelly greeted me and showed me around - she instantly made me feel comfortable and accepted in her studio even though I was totally out of my comfort zone. Her approachability to the workouts made me forgot that I would have to actually lift weights at some point. I instantly knew this is where I was going to train.
HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?
This was not my world, I came in with flexibility and flow so I had to retrain my posture and learn new skills from scratch. The whole process has been so exciting and I was pumped by the challenge of something new - to push my body in ways it's never been pushed before.
HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?
I feel strong and healthy, my hip pain only crops up now and again when I get sloppy on my form, but the instructors are quick to notice and refine. I have definition in my arms, legs and abs that I'd never thought I have and I'm proud at the body staring back at me.
WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENT AT MOVE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I went from struggling to hold a kettlebell to lifting over my own body weight in back squats. Everything I've done at MOVE is a fitness first and I'm just so amazed at what my body can do with training.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FITNESS GOALS FOR 2019?
To do at least 10 unassisted pull ups and be able to hold handstands for longer than 20 seconds.
Alex
Alex
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?
I had signed up my daughter for a MOVE after school program and Kelly asked me why I hadn't been in her gym yet. I told her I had never been to a gym in my life and that I only did ballet and Pilates. Kelly explained how good it would be for me to try a different type of movement and told me a story about the journey of another Move member that I knew. I was extremely inspired and Kelly's enthusiasm was infectious. She wasn't giving me a typical fitness club spiel but seemed legitimately excited for me to try something new. I signed up for a class the next day and absolutely loved it. I was totally hooked!
HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?
MOVE has brought me back to my original love of movement and given me new ways to express it. I'm so incredibly proud of myself for leaving my comfort zone and trying something so foreign to me. It has given me new challenges and goals to meet and I love pushing myself just a little further with every class. I feel so strong and toned and happy with my body these days. I love how I feel in my own skin and the icing on the cake is that I also love how I look - something I never had over 30+ years in the ballet world. I have also found a community of amazing women who support and inspire me and whom I'm excited to see every day.
HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?
So much for the better. I spent my life as a ballet dancer, constantly looking in the mirror and identifying all my physical "flaws". I also got to hear all about what was wrong with how my body looked from most of my teachers and directors. I have spent most of my life thinking "just 10 more pounds" but it never seemed to make me feel good about myself and there was always another 10 pounds and another. These days I feel so strong and healthy. Nobody talks about how I look, they are just focused on my technique and helping me achieve my goals. I'm no longer ashamed of my body and hiding it under big t-shirts. Now I love to show off what all my hard work has given me and I'm proud of my body, instead of hating it. It's such an incredible feeling!
WHAT IS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT AT MOVE YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
Specifically that I can lift my own body weight in a dead lift. In general i'm just so proud that I started something new and now I'm feeling like I'm getting pretty good at it!
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FITNESS GOALS FOR 2019?
I would like to be able to do normal push-ups and at least one pull-up. I also want to get my dead lift to over 150. Generally my goal is just "more"!
Brooke
Brooke
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?
I chose MOVE because I heard an inspiring woman named Kelly Taphouse speak so genuinely about her passion for women's fitness and her dream of creating a unique space. A space where women can become comfortable, confident and strong while free from the pressure to achieve the unachievable bikini body.
HOW HAS MOVE CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
I became a member just over a year ago after finishing a course in Gerontology, in which I learned that strength training is vital to aging well and living longer. I'm a mother of three and want to be there for my family for as long as I can. I had never really been inside a gym before and I joined MOVE to get stronger, not look better. The changes to my body and my new love for fitness are the side effects that help me stick with my goals.
HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?
After doing personal training and classes at MOVE I'm doing things with my body that I could never do before I turned 40. I would never have imagined doing five pull-ups, deadlifting my body weight or demonstrating an animal flow scorpion for the class! I'm constantly looking for new ways to challenge myself physically and I fell sexy AF no matter what I look like on the outside.
Tania
#Whyweloveher
Tania
#Whyweloveher
WHAT WAS YOUR FITNESS EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO MOVE?
Mostly I was a jogger and was pretty obsessed with Inferno Hot Pilates. I was in a car accident in 2014 which sort of changed my world so I had to start from ground zero and work my way back.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?
I knew a couple of fearless females that were working out there so I started to watch the insta feed and was like ‘ I have to be there ‘. I have ALWAYS been intimidated by “gyms” and weights so for me learning something new in a place that was so supportive and judgement free was pretty important. From the first time I stepped in the door, I felt at home and supported! That was 2 years ago!
HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?
After my accident, my life was filled with things I couldn’t do anymore. As I slowly recovered and started to get my mobility back, I was able to challenge my body in ways I never thought possible. I had massive surgery on my shoulder and balance issues but in time I was able to do a handstand…..that was pretty life changing for me as you realize how powerful your mind can be in convincing you what you can’t do and channeling that mindset to help you realize what you can do instead.
My mental health has taken a beating and joining MOVE and giving myself the respect to put myself first, my mind, heart and mood has definitely been positively impacted
HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?
I still have my moments where I feel meh about a part of my body, don’t we all? I will say that I honestly give way less fucks about my body in the sense that I am in awe of the fact I grew 4 healthy amazing humans in this body and I can deadlift and backsquat and row 10,000M - who cares if my arms aren’t perfect!
WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENT AT MOVE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
OMG there are WAY TOO MANY!
Definitely being able to lift some pretty heavy weights. My deadlift is probably what I am most proud of.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FITNESS GOALS FOR 2019?
Mastering the damn pull-up. If I can get one unassisted pull up under my belt, I will be very happy! I would also like to be more consistent with my nutrition and put the same amount of energy into that as I do into my fitness!
Rose
Rose
WHAT WAS YOUR FITNESS EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO MOVE?
Before MOVE, I focused a lot on weight loss and thought I could achieve that through cardio and conditioning alone. I joined a few different bootcamp style gyms over the years and while they were enjoyable and somewhat effective, I never felt as though I was progressing with form or being challenged to be better.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?
I immediately fell in love with the MOVE studio, I mean who wouldn’t love the rose gold fixtures, white marble and chic vibe! It wasn’t until my second class where I began to appreciate the drive and motivation of Kelly and the trainers - they really wanted to focus on making women stronger and confident. I enjoy the small size of the classes, the awesome trainers, and diversity of classes offered. I’m not the type of person who can motivate myself through a work out, I need direction in order to push myself - MOVE has provided me the exact push I was looking for!
HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?
My goal after joining MOVE was to get back into shape after having my son, gain back strength and get toned. After 2 years of training at MOVE, I feel the strongest I’ve ever felt, I’ve definitely gained significantly more muscle. I never really ENJOYED working out until MOVE, now I look forward to classes (even at 6am!)
HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?
I no longer focus on the scale. I truly enjoy pushing myself beyond my mental barriers to do things I never thought I was capable of and appreciate my body for what it can do!
rishma
rishma
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?
I was feeling very overwhelmed with being back to work after mat leave and dealing with my new life of motherhood and work. I had gained over 25 lbs after having my daughter, my clothes did not fit, my curly hair would not curl anymore, I missed my team sports and I was really down on myself, emotionally and physically. My husband would drive by MOVE so he looked it up and one day said to me that maybe it would be a good idea for me to see what it's all about. I kept telling him I could never do it, it wasn't for me as I only like team sports and I would not fit in…he never stopped bringing it up. I finally decided to do the 1 week trial.
HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?
First the coaches are amazing. The music, also amazing. The venue, also amazing. So you’re already winning when you walk through the door.
I started with my history and how I was really intimidated as the other girls knew what they were doing and I had not exercised for at least 3 years. Coaches never let me fall- literally and figuratively. Watching my positioning, making modifications for my terrible knees and wrists, encouraging me, and most of all believing that I could do it, could swing that kettlebell, could deadlift, that I could plank and that I could pull myself up- they believed in me so much that I started to believe in myself.
Struggling at work when I went back from mat leave, my confidence was so low. Looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person, I felt so bad about myself. As I started going to more MOVE classes, I started getting stronger- mentally and physically. I used to wait for my husband to move boxes or lift things for me, all of a sudden I found myself doing those things. I found myself walking into work with more confidence, finally starting to feel better about myself. MOVE has helped bring back my confidence, bring energy to my life and has shown me that I can do it- and quite honestly because of the coaches, I never feel alone in their classes, I know they have my back and will make me put down the lighter kettlebell to get the one I can really handle.