Makayla Barker

I’ve struggled with weight my entire life, getting made fun of as a child, well into adulthood. About 10 years ago, I took control and lost almost 50 lbs. However, in 2017 that all changed. In January of that year, my dad had a stroke and passed away a month later. It was an unexpected and devastating loss. Less than 5 months later, my grandmother died, and shortly after that, I lost a job. On the year anniversary of my dad passing, I found out I had a chronic medical condition. Needless to say, that year broke me and I gained all the weight back and then some. I finally decided to take control again and signed up for Gold’s and training with Makayla. Despite my medication making it almost impossible to lose weight and making my joints very achy most days, Makayla’s support and encouragement, as well as the friendly atmosphere in the gym, made it easy to get the process started again. I’ve been steadily losing weight and becoming more confident in my body and myself. I’m very appreciative of everything that Makayla has done to help with my success, and I hope to stay a part of Gold’s even after our sessions end.

I joined Golds Gym with a friend a little over a year ago. It was a way to spend time together while using the treadmill. The environment was foreign to me, and I felt a little uncomfortable. However, after being a member for over a year I now feel very comfortable being there. It took determination and effort to stick with the routines that my trainer would work with me on. I had very little muscle in my overweight body and aches and pains that just seemed to get worse. There was also the family history of high blood pressure that ran in my family and which seemed to be inching higher for me too as I aged. The thought of going on medications in the future scared me more than any soreness and aches that I felt after a workout. Then too, I kept remembering how my mother had lost her sense of balance and strength as she got older. I didn’t want that to happen to me. It is clear to me at this point that I am stronger than I used to be. My balance seems to be good and I am not on any medications. At 68 Years of age, I feel that the decision to stick with the program has been a good one. Last but not least is the prospect of being able to hold and move and play with grandchildren. I get up every day thankful that I feel strong and healthy. I am happy to have Mikala as my trainer. She is absolutely terrific! Without her encouragement this would have been much, much harder. I feel very lucky indeed that I have remained at Golds.

Im 73 and overweight, have COPD and havent been in shape in decades. Last summer I started visiting Golds Gym every day. Then, last August (1918), I signed up for once-a-week sessions with a trainer.

Has it been worthwhile? Well, Im no longer out of breath after climbing to my third-floor walk-up. I can stand straight up from our low-slung couch without strain and grunting. Bending to pick something up isnt a major operation anymore. Friends tell me Im walking more steadily. And I weigh 25 pounds less than i did last August.

My trainers have been excellent: patient but demanding, continually pushing me to do a bit more. An example.... In January, my trainer taught me to use the leg press machine, doing 30 repetitions with weight set at 40 pounds. Im now doing 50 reps at 240 pounds.

Ill confess to being a demanding consumer. When I pay for goods and services, I insist on getting my moneys worth. At Golds Gym, Ive gotten just that: a pleasant facility, good equipment, and first-rate trainers. Im one very satisfied customer.

I met Makayla in October if 2018. My goal at the time was to firm up and gain muscle. Thru the year I have done both by losing 41 inches overall, increasing my strength and feeling stronger. No longer are the grocery bags too heavy, a 5 mile walk is not exhausting and my clothes looking and fitting better. It was Makayla’s fun personality and encouragement that made the physical changes possible.

Last September after two friends of mine died suddenly and unexpectedly, I did a lot of emotional eating and I was at my heaviest weight ever. I knew I needed to do something drastic. I joined Golds Gym on November 1st and decided that personal training was what I needed. I remember the first time Makayla had me plank, I was able to do a minute even though it was REALLY hard. At the beginning I was frustrated that the scale wasnt moving as much as I wanted it to. Makayla said it was ok because she knew my inches had changed. She was right! Eventually I made some big changes to my diet and I lost 26 pounds! Makayla was always super encouraging saying, look how little you are! I could see myself changing... looking in the mirror during workouts wasnt so scary anymore. I was up for anything Makayla threw at me. I crave healthy food now. My kids plank with me at home. I know how to make the gym work for me. Im comfortable in my gym clothes. I got rid of all my fat clothes because Im never going back there.

About a year ago today i started my journey at golds gym with Makayla. I was not new to the gym but i wanted more results. When i started with Makayla i could not do 1 push up, squating felt weird, never in my life would i have done a box jump because it scares the crap outta me! I can now do 5 push ups sometimes 6 when she tells me she knows i can do it( i know thats not a lot but to me its everything). I now can squat with 200lb (maybe even more she be tricking me all the time!) with the bar! I remember in the beginning everything felt weird i felt like my brian wouldnt connect to where she would tell me to squeeze, now shes like squeeze this and that and i can feel the muscles and see them! My confidence level went way up! I used to never wear shorts and dress skirts ex. Becuase i didnt like myself this summer thats all i wore because i felt great and am proud of the body i worked hard to get. Makayla makes me feel like a true badass thats for sure but in this journey i didnt only gain self confidence i feel like i gained a friend ! Working out with her is always fun we laugh we talk about hard times and shes is always very supportive! Thank you Makayla for helping me be the best me! I am now down 45lb and 48in and it fells great!