Paulette Heppner

Fitness Goals: To pass a military strength and fitness test in my 50's!

I started working with a Lewis when I needed to pass a military strength and fitness test and was frustrated with "trainers" at my gym that seemed to know little more than how to work the machines. I simply wasn’t improving in the way I had hoped. I wanted someone with a trained background who could build me a program to help me improve and meet my fitness goals without injuring myself or spending my life in the gym. As someone who is not a natural athlete, I was also concerned about injury prevention.

After working with Lewis, I discovered to my shock and dismay that many of the "trainers" at many gyms have had only a two week course to become certified. Yet gyms are charging the same amount to work with them that I am paying to work with someone with five years of post secondary study. Lewis is able to continually analyze my strengths and weaknesses and work out a program that meets my changing needs and addresses the challenges of keeping fit in your 50s. He teaches me proper technique to prevent injuries and designs exercises to help me when I am injured. He has taught me how to adapt exercises so that I am working strength, core and balance all at once.

I am no longer intimidated to walk into a gym full of athletic and fit men and women half my age. More often I think “He’s going to injure himself doing that exercise like that” or “She could be maximizing her time by changing that a little bit”. Lewis not only gives me exercises to do, but is able to tell me why I am doing that particular exercise and what we are trying to achieve by doing it in a particular sequence with others. I know what to work on when I work out on my own and why I’m doing a particular number of reps at a particular weight. He encourages and inspires me when I am tired and has not once given in to my suggestion that we go for a beer or an ice cream instead of working out.

I strongly advise anyone who is serious about fitness to work with a kinesiologist, or even better, someone with a Masters degree in Sports Science like Lewis. Athletes know the value of working with professionals to maximize their training, but I believe the benefits are even greater for non-athletes and aging, former athletes. Personal training programs can be designed to complement your other activities, from potential hockey professionals to skiers, golfers and those who are just getting started or coming back from injury. I have seen him train a woman in her 70’s who had never been to a gym, people coming back from hip and knee replacements and teenagers hoping to make a team. Training is done in a non-intimidating environment where there are only other kinesiologists working with their clients.

That military test? I not only passed it, but at age 54 met the standards for women under 35 years of age in every section except for the run.

Jerry Lampert

Fitness Goals: To lose weight, improve cardio and build strength; and as a result improve overall health

Lewis has been my personal trainer for 13 years and I've enjoyed and benefited from every minute of it!

16 years ago I had a minor heart attack. It was the warning that not everyone gets. My recovery included participating in the Vancouver General Hospital Healthy Heart program which included regular workout classes. At the end of the program I had to decide how to maintain a training regime. Through my downtown office I was able to utilize a fitness club close-by.

That ended with my "semi-retirement" at the end of 2007. It was shortly after that I discovered Lewis at a facility near my home, and what a worthwhile discovery it was.

Lewis understood the needs of a "60 something" and quickly had me on a program that addressed my cardio, strength and core training needs. He explained the purpose and benefit of particular activities, relating them to the particular needs of my body and mind.

In 2012, I had my annual checkup. My doctor advised that my blood pressure was well within the normal range and took me off one of the heart medications that I had been on for six years. My doctor attributed this development to my regular workout regime and I in turn can thank Lewis for this success.

Most importantly, and something one does not always get in a trainer, Lewis is genuinely interested in your individual needs and interests. This goes beyond physical exercise and includes regular exchanges on lifestyle activities. Sharing experiences, from family gatherings to travel to the latest movies, is in its own way therapeutic. Lewis has the kind of personality that allows for the easy exchange of these experiences.

Lewis has been a great help to me over the past few years. I look forward to continuing our collaboration. I highly recommend him to others seeking a knowledgeable and experienced trainer who brings something extra to each and every session

Testimonials

My fun loving demeanor resonates well with clients of all fitness levels, from experienced athletes to those just wanting to improve their lifestyle.

Nancy Ryan

Fitness goals: To lose weight and learn the correct exercise techniques for independent exercise.

Lewis Morrison was my choice for rehabilitation. My daughter called him my "survival guide." My world turned upside down when my husband suddenly passed away. I left my work and tried to think about how to manage these next days, months or years. The only thing I knew for sure was that the mind needs a well body and so that became my goal. I made my decision to work with Lewis after our first meeting.  He is an amazing listener and fed back to me what I hoped to achieve.

Over the next months and into another year, every week Lewis taught me how to safely perform exercises, how to breathe and how to work-out.

I strengthened my core, lost weight, improved my posture and cleared my mind - and Lewis did it all with patience, professionalism and respect.

Lewis believes in stretching out after every session which we did and I never, ever, suffered any muscle pain or discomfort.  And we did have some fun!

I know my 3 grand-daughters can now count on me to be physically present and involved.  It takes an expert!

Phyllis Laschuk

Fitness Goals: Golf specific strength and conditioning. To rehabilitate from injury, improve strength of the core and start hitting the golf ball further.

I began going to physiotherapy and working with Lewis, who put me through rehabilitation exercises. My work with Lewis increased my strength, as well as toned my muscles. Lewis has a very well-planned sport specific training program, which targets overall body and core strength, power and flexibility. I'm an example of an age group who wants to enjoy sports activities well into the future, and with injuries that just happen to show up, it's great to have people like Lewis to give us the help we need.

Musqueam Golf Ladies

Fitness Goals: To improve general and golf specific fitness in a group setting.

- Lady #1

Lewis is very helpful in keeping us on the right track and I like his very positive attitude. He keeps the class fun which I think is an important aspect. The exercises are good and are helping with my strength build-up. Lewis is fun, yet extremely professional. I feel really confident that he knows what he's doing and he's not going to hurt me. And I say that even though it hurts!

-Lady #2

I am feeling great and have noticed my waistline is coming back and I have actually had to roll the top of my skirt to keep it on. I find that I have now started to want to work out more than once a week so I have gone back to the gym for 90 minutes on Saturdays and Tuesdays. The elliptical machine has now become my new friend for 25 minutes each visit and we continue to build on this relationship weekly. I also use weights and try to remember some of the reps we use in our class. But saying this I wish I could have more than one "kick my butt" class a week. I will miss this small group training program when it is over because I love the fact that someone is pushing me to go beyond my normal limits.