Performance Fitness Client Spotlight: Meet The Sterns

Our latest client spotlight features one of our Performance Fitness couples, Joe and Rachel Stern. The Sterns are two of my favorite people (OK, all of our clients are my favorites), probably because they give me coffee whenever I train them, or maybe it’s because we all graduated high school the same year (not telling you when that was). Favorites aside, Joe and Rachel have made a real commitment to their health and fitness. They both recently participated in our Clean Up Nutrition Program, and Joe was our winner for Most Percentage Change in Body Composition for a Male.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in this area?: 

Joe: I’m from Connecticut, and I’ve lived here since 1988.

Rachel:  I was born in Georgia, and grew up in Michigan, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. I’ve been in this area since 1988.

How did you meet?: In college. I went to Haverford and Rachel went to Bryn Mawr.

What are your occupations?:

Joe: IT Director for a market research firm

Rachel: Preschool teacher

Children?: 3 children – Alex, Andrew, and Elizabeth

Pets?: A cat named Maude, an English Cocker Spaniel named Trevor, and 3 fish named Glub, Glub Glub, and Glub, Glub, Glub

Hobbies?: 

Joe: A hobby suggests that one has time. I guess if I had to name some hobbies I’d say reading, writing short fiction, and playing cards. I also do this boot camp thing on Saturdays.

Rachel:  Reading, cooking, singing, gardening.

Sports?:

Joe: I don’t play any sports, but I’m a Phillies’ fan and an Eagles’ fan.

Favorite radio station?:

Joe: We’ve lost control of the radio [to the kids]. Whenever I’m in the car I’m obliged to listen to Mix 106. On the rare occasions I’m on my own I listen to XPN, WHYY, WRTI, and Phillies radio during baseball season.

Rachel: Ben FM, WHYY, WXPN, and 106 when [youngest daughter] Elizabeth is in the car.

How did you hear about Performance Fitness?:

Joe:  We won 3 personal training sessions in a drawing at the Penn Wynne library 5K. We officially started personal training in 2012, and added boot camp last summer.

What fitness and/or weight loss results have you achieved since working with us?:

Joe: I’m noticeably stronger, better shaped, leaner, and I weigh 15 pounds less than when we started.

Rachel: I can do plank push-ups and band assisted pull-ups [Editor’s note: Rachel couldn’t do a single pull up, not even with the heaviest assistance band, when she started working on pull ups this fall]. I have a pre-existing shoulder condition, and I’m now able to use that shoulder without fear. Before I started with you I thought my legs were strong from running, but I’ve actually found real strength since I’ve been training with weights and bodyweight exercises. I guess the most noticeable outward change is that I’ve lost over 23 pounds since October.

What are your 3 big goals for the next 3-6 months?:

Joe: 1. Stick with the eating habits I learned during the Clean Up, 2.  Increase push-up strength, 3. Own a pair of kettlebells [Editor’s note: I think we can help with that one, Joe]

Rachel: 1. Do an unassisted pull up. 2. Not stop at the 10 second mark during timed exercises and workouts. 3. Start running again.

What’s your favorite exercise?:

Joe: I like when we lie down on the floor and stretch at the end of boot camp. No, seriously I like kettlebells.

Rachel: I don’t know that I like one in particular. I just like all the different names.

Proudest training moment?

Rachel: I would never have tried free weights [dumbbells] before working with Performance Fitness, but this summer and fall I worked out on two separate trips at the hotel gym, and I didn’t feel like a poser.

I’m going to ask you a question that I ask all my trainers – bacon or ice cream?

Joe: bacon*

Rachel: both

*Joe once made bacon flavored ice cream for a coworker

I’m a child of the 80s, so when I interview someone who grew up in that decade I have to ask – what’s your favorite 80s band?

Joe: Jellyfish

Rachel: Suzanne Vega

If someone asked you about Performance Fitness what would you tell them?:

Joe: It’s fun yet very challenging. There’s a nice community that we’ve noticed at boot camp, and the atmosphere is comfortable and non-judgmental.

Rachel: The trainers push you beyond your perceived limits and keep the workouts fresh and new. There’s a “non-competitive” yet challenging vibe in the classes. There’s always something that feels like a real challenge mixed with things that feel achievable.

If you want real results like Joe and Rachel and a supportive community in which to achieve your goals, call us at 610-649-4900