September’s Member of the Month is Karina Larsson

After moving to the area from Sweden 23 years ago, she spent a little time getting acclimated to the area and then decided it was time to find a gym. Lucky for us, she found The Chatham Club and has been a loyal member for over 21 years! She even convinced her husband to join ten years ago. She loved that the club was easily accessible from her home and fell in love with the classes and the flexibility of the class schedule. From there, she moved to more weight training programs and eventually began doing Personal Training five years ago. Her commitment to staying active and healthy has driven her to great fitness success.

What are your favorite things about the club?
I love the social aspect of the club. The people here are real, and that’s refreshing from other clubs I’ve been to. I’ve met some great people and made friends with many of them. I also love the wide variety of equipment at the club. There is so much to do.

What are your favorite things about Personal Training?
I started developing back pain years ago and felt it was a good idea to seek professional guidance. I reached out to Will because I had seen him working with someone with a similar ailment to me, and he helped her feel better through training. I love how knowledgeable he is and how he drives me to find success for me. Anytime an issue surfaces, he would focus on that area, help strengthen it, and eliminate the pain. I really appreciate that commitment out of him. I am happy to say I no longer have back pain and feel very strong!

Do you have any favorite exercises?
I can’t say I have a specific favorite. I enjoy doing strength classes and lifting weights during training.

Do you have a least favorite exercise?
That’s a tough one to answer. The Captain’s Chair leg lifts were one of my least favorites when I began doing them, but now I have gotten strong on it, so it’s not as bad. Also, the Hammer Strength Dead Lift piece. Mainly because I never know what challenging movement Will would have me do with it. I love the challenge, though.

What improvements have you seen since being a member of the club?
The biggest improvement has been the elimination of pain. I’m moving well and feeling good. My core has become crazy strong, and my overall strength has seen significant gains. My flexibility has improved, as well as my sports performance. I’m hitting the golf ball further than ever!

What do you enjoy doing outside of the club?
I enjoy playing golf, taking long walks, and being by the ocean.

Do you have any upcoming goals?
I’m just working to stay pain-free, feel strong, and stay active!