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Charlie Banfield

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December 20, 2024

Why It’s Never Too Late to Start: Jane’s Inspiring Journey at Function Fitness

When Jane first walked through the doors of Function Fitness in July, she never imagined how transformative her journey would be. At 50, she’d never set foot in a gym before. The thought of entering a space she imagined filled with ultra-fit gym-goers was terrifying. But the stiffness in her joints, the breathlessness from climbing stairs, and the realisation that she was struggling to keep up with her family during outings motivated her to take the leap.

Here’s how Jane conquered her fears, built her confidence, and found a love for fitness that’s changed her life.

Taking the First Step

Jane admits she wouldn’t have made it without seeing a blog post from another Function Fitness member who had a similar story. Inspired by the post, she impulsively messaged the gym. Charlie, one of the coaches, called her right away, giving her little time to back out.

Walking through the doors for her first session was nerve-wracking. Jane recalls,

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I was so worried about starting classes because I thought I’d be the worst and hold everyone up. But that wasn’t the case at all!”

Setting Goals and Surpassing Them

Initially, Jane’s goal was simple: feel less stiff, gain fitness, and maybe lose a little weight. Six months later, she’s exceeded her own expectations. While on holiday in New York, Jane noticed a striking difference—her family struggled to keep up with her after 25,000 steps a day!

“I have so much more energy, and I’ve lost half a stone in the process.”

The Power of Support

Jane credits her success to the incredible Function Fitness coaches and the supportive gym community.

“The coaches help you believe you’re capable. When I started, I was so hard on myself, assuming I’d be terrible at everything before I even tried. Now, with their guidance, I’m so much more confident."

The camaraderie in the classes surprised her the most.

“Everyone roots for each other and celebrates progress. I never thought going to the gym would feel like this. I actually look forward to it now!”

Overcoming Challenges

Balancing work and fitness hasn’t always been easy. Jane’s work schedule has made it challenging to attend classes consistently, but she’s committed to showing up whenever she can and being kinder to herself when life gets busy.

One of Jane’s biggest milestones was running—a task she dreaded when she started.

“During my fundamentals, I struggled to walk 200 meters, let alone run it. A few weeks ago, I ran three sets of 400 meters without stopping to walk. It might have been a slow jog, but I was buzzing all day!”

Discovering New Strengths

Jane’s newfound love for weightlifting has been a revelation. She pushed herself during a recent assessment and was amazed at her progress. Looking ahead, she hopes to focus on improving her lifts and even attend a weightlifting workshop in the new year.

While she prefers lifting weights to cardio, Jane is determined to continue challenging herself.

“I should probably focus on cardio, but I just love lifting things more than jumping up and down!”

Advice for Others

For anyone hesitant to start their fitness journey, Jane offers this advice:

“Go for it! It’s way less scary than you think. Function Fitness isn’t full of bodybuilders and gym bunnies—it’s people just like me who want to improve their fitness. There’s no judgment or humiliation like I feared. That feeling of fear I had walking through the door on day one? It’s a distant memory now.”

Looking Ahead

As Jane reflects on how far she’s come, she’s excited for the future. She hopes to add an extra session to her weekly routine and continue building on her progress. Her story is a testament to the power of stepping outside your comfort zone, setting achievable goals, and surrounding yourself with a supportive community.

At Function Fitness, every journey is unique, and every success is worth celebrating. Jane’s story is proof that with the right mindset and support, even the most daunting challenges can lead to incredible growth.

Are you ready to start your journey? Book your first session today through the simple click of a button above and take the first step toward becoming the best version of yourself!

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