Spring is the season of rebirth and renewal, and many people choose to renew their commitment to physical fitness.
This is where 20 Minutes to Fitness comes in, and it admittedly sounds too good to be true. You lift weights on specialized machines once a week for 20 minutes with trainer supervision, according to owner Virginia Phillips, as the building block for improved strength, health and wellness.
“This all started from a study at University of Florida in the late ’70s and ’80s using MedX machines,” explains Phillips. “They realized that when they slow training down, you build muscle and bone density in a shorter period of time, using 20-second reps.”
The first difference at 20 Minutes to Fitness is the equipment: MedX machines are not found in traditional gyms. They are most commonly used for physical therapy and isolate specific muscle groups to encourage slow and efficient movement. Second, a personal trainer fits every person to each machine and adjusts their form throughout every session, helping clients lift challenging weights, slowly, to peak performance.
It all sounds intimidating, but in reality it is incredibly user friendly and safe for every age and stage of fitness, she says.
“I am the worst person with exercise,” says client Jane Kofender. “I’ve never stuck to anything for more than a couple of months, and I loved this from the beginning. It’s very different. When I go there, I feel so good, and it has inspired me to do more activity the rest of the week. I’m so much more health conscious.”
Stephanie Lang and her husband, Paul, have been part of the program for four years, and she admits that the shorter duration was the initial draw for them.
“For the time invested, it gives you a really good workout. Astonishingly!” says Lang. “It has really toned up my muscles and I have felt a difference. It makes you stronger, more sturdy on your feet, more balanced.”
Says Phillips, “No matter what you feel you are capable or incapable of, we start you where you are now and help you build bone density and muscle tissue. A lot of people who are 70, 80, 90 years old just want to be independent. They may have a lot of issues, but we can still help them reach their goals and expectations.
And the workout is not just for seniors. I am athletic and middle-aged and tried the program because it fit into my busy schedule and didn’t involve a major time commitment. Even when I’m tired, I can convince myself to push through the 20-minute session. To my surprise, I have seen double-digit improvements in my strength and know the increased muscle will help my bones as I age.
There are three 20 Minutes to Fitness locations in our area: Lakewood Ranch, downtown Sarasota, and in Tampa/Carrollwood, with plans to further expand. So this spring, commit to 20 minutes a week in a fitness facility designed to help you succeed.
