Staying Strong, Active & Accountable With 1:1 Fitness Coaching
Fitness has always been a part of Kathy Denoncour’s life. In her younger years, she enjoyed competitive running, biking, and indoor soccer. Today, the 63-year-old Concord, New Hampshire resident continues to bike, run half-marathons, and do cardio and strength training.
About two and a half years ago, Kathy began one-on-one fitness coaching with Marilyn, and she hasn’t looked back.
Getting Started
As Kathy began thinking more seriously about retirement, she wanted a fitness routine she could maintain long-term. “I really wanted something that was effective, affordable, and flexible enough to fit my lifestyle,” she notes. At that time, she was participating in a local bootcamp. “I really liked it, but it was becoming too expensive.” She then signed up for a large gym membership, but that also became too costly once she reduced her work hours as part of her semi-retirement.
Kathy then joined a smaller, more affordable gym to maintain her cardio fitness and continued biking and running a couple of times a week. To maintain her strength and help reduce her risk of injury, Kathy signed up for one-on-one fitness coaching with Marilyn.
A Workout Routine That Fits Real Life
A certified strength coach and fitness trainer, Marilyn has helped Kathy build a routine with practical strength training she could do right at home. “I really don’t need a lot of equipment,” Kathy says, noting that a few hand weights, resistance bands, and a little space are enough for most of her workouts.
When she first started, Kathy met with Marilyn at her fitness studio about twice a week. Once Kathy became comfortable with the exercises and understood the routine, she started doing the workouts on her own at home.
Tailored Coaching With a Personal Connection
Today, Kathy does strength training five days per week and stays connected with Marilyn through a fitness app. It enables Kathy to view her exercises, watch demonstration videos, track completed workouts, join challenges, and keep Marilyn updated on her progress. Most importantly, the program gives Kathy structure without making fitness feel complicated. Many of her strength workouts take only about 20 minutes.
The flexible, tailored workouts became especially important when Kathy underwent ankle surgery. Rather than putting fitness completely on hold during recovery, Marilyn adapted Kathy’s program so she could keep exercising safely while her ankle healed. When Kathy was ready to return to running, she gradually rebuilt her endurance, eventually working her way back up to several miles at a time.
Strength Training to Support the Activities She Loves
For Kathy, strength training is about more than becoming stronger. It helps her continue doing the activities she loves—especially running.
“As a runner, I need to lift weights, or I’m going to get hurt,” she explains. Building strength in her legs, core, and upper body helps support Kathy’s running and reduces the likelihood of problems such as calf pulls and other overuse injuries. She also incorporates stretching after her workouts and has learned to pay close attention to what her body is telling her.
“Marilyn isn’t just throwing a bunch of exercises together for me,” Kathy says. “Every routine is personalized for me. You can tell she puts a lot of thought and care into what she does,” Kathy adds.
Fitness Coaching With a Personal Connection
Kathy also appreciates how accessible Marilyn is. If an exercise doesn’t feel right or Kathy has a question, she knows she can text Marilyn. “She always responds quickly and can help adjust virtually any workout to suit my needs. Marilyn is very, very approachable, and knowledgeable,” Kathy says.
Staying Accountable
That ongoing connection brings another important benefit: accountability.
Kathy is already highly motivated, but she says that knowing Marilyn is following her progress gives her an extra reason to stay consistent. “Having a coach just makes you more accountable,” she says. “I know she’s watching, and she’ll know if I didn’t work out,” she adds, laughing. “That’s huge.”
Still Running Toward the Next Adventure
Kathy has no intention of slowing down. Her typical day starts early with a 5 a.m. walk with her dog, followed by cardio at the gym. She does her at-home strength training five days a week and bikes or runs at least twice a week.
Even with a semi-retired work schedule that includes evening hours, Kathy
prioritizes fitness. For her, the benefits go beyond the physical. “I really feel better mentally when I work out,” she says.
Participating in half-marathons and other running events remains a big part of Kathy's life. Over the years, she has run numerous races and events, including the Reach the Beach Relay, the Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race, and the Delta Dental New England Half Marathon. She and a close friend also enjoy turning running into an adventure, traveling to destinations including Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, and Florida for various races.
"Kathy’s goal isn’t simply to finish another race; it’s to stay strong enough to keep enjoying an active life," Marilyn notes.
Kathy’s goal isn’t simply to finish another race; it’s to stay strong enough to keep enjoying an active life. —Marilyn Nylen
A Simple, Personalized, and Sustainable Workout
Kathy says Marilyn’s one-on-one personal fitness coaching is especially valuable for people who want to exercise but struggle to know where to begin—or to stay consistent once they start.
The exercises are straightforward. The equipment requirements are minimal. The app makes it easy to see exactly what to do. And Marilyn provides the expertise and accountability that can be difficult to create on your own.
The Results of Consistent Fitness Training
Kathy sees the difference consistent fitness training has made in her life: Her arms are more toned, her core is stronger, and she has more energy when she runs. She attributes these improvements to having a fitness routine that works with her life rather than taking it over.
“It isn’t about spending hours in a gym. It’s about having the right plan, the right support, and the consistency to keep moving forward.” —Kathy Denoncour
Kathy says this combination makes one-on-one coaching with Marilyn something she can realistically sustain long-term. “It isn’t about spending hours in a gym. It’s about having the right plan, the right support, and the consistency to keep moving forward,” she says.
Personal Fitness Coaching in Concord, NH
Whether you want to build strength, support the activities you love, or simply become more consistent with exercise, Marilyn’s one-on-one fitness coaching is designed around your goals, abilities, schedule, and lifestyle. Contact Akasha Massage & Bodywork to learn more about personal fitness coaching in Concord, NH.
