It has been three weeks now since I began a three month, three-times-a-week fitness campaign with Workout Anytime Powell after becoming acquainted with the owner John Heifner during an interview for an article in the Health/Fitness section of the Knoxville Journal.

My goals were to build up my heart and muscle tone, increase strength, become more active, improve my overall health and hopefully lose a little weight in the process. 

Working out at Workout Anytime Powell on Emory Road at Clinton Highway three days a week is becoming a habit. I notice that on workout days, I seem to get more done at work. I believe the morning process of “getting going” at Workout Anytime Powell sets the pace for the day. On other mornings, I tend to drag a little, spending too much morning time in front of the television, or on the sofa with my computer. I have also found a good balanced nutritional morning breakfast makes the days go better.

Workout Anytime Powell owner John Heiffner gave me some really good nutritional tips and good advice about where to find more free information. He arrives shortly after I do in the mornings.  John encourages me to get plenty of protein for muscle building. I find myself going for the mixed nuts snacks rather than the Little Debbie displays in the convenience store.

As for my progress, I feel better and have more energy. My heart rate no longer jumps to 130 when I step up my treadmill pace. I am not running on it yet, but by the end of my “Boot Camp” I just may be. Nine pounds have burned off so far. It will be up to me to keep them off during my long weekend mini-vacation. I am also learning that it is too early in the program to expect extreme improvements.

I work with trainer Alex Stephens who monitors my activities and guides me to those workouts that provide a well rounded body workout. Sometimes it’s squeezing a beach ball between my knees. Other times it is holding a weight while stretching, or a chest squeeze pulling up to 70-pounds weight. Alex makes certain we don’t overdo activities that would hurt or injure our bodies.

Workout Any Time has several trainers in addition to Alex. Another trainer at Workout USA is former NFL football player, Jerry Dorsey. Most just call him Dorsey. Dorsey has completed advanced personal training certification through the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM) and for the past five years has specialized in developing personalized training and nutrition programs for numerous athletes who want to take their training to the next level. As a former NFL football player, Dorsey understands the importance of delivering a maximum performance every game. As a Certified Personal Trainer, he understands that it takes time and commitment to excellence to do this. Dorsey says, “Everyday people need greater physical fitness to accomplish activities of daily living and to live a healthier, more active, life. Having a personal trainer is not just for celebrities anymore. With today’s busy lifestyles and demanding work schedules, being fit is more important than ever. Busy schedules don’t have to mean ignoring exercise and nutrition.”

Next week, we will examine the results of another week of training interrupted by a mini-long-weekend vacation. We will see how important it is to maintain the program and interview some others involved in Workout Anytime Powell Boot Camp.

Visit the website www.workoutanytimepowell.com/ to get more information and watch a short video I recommend. Please call (865) 441-4471 or come into the Workout AnytimeWorkout Anytime Powell Powell location and ask us how you can join today!