Helen Z.

{Member} Raleigh

Trax Transformations

“I’m 75 years old and I have done CROSSFIT for over 10 years.  I want to see how you do your personal training here.”  

Those were my words to Huw when I first met him at Healthtrax. It was mid- Pandemic, but the gyms had re-opened.  I am a self-described “gym-rat” and have been weightlifting for about 25 years. 

Back in the day, I could leg press 350 pounds and deadlift 185 pounds.  After 12 months of doing almost nothing during the Pandemic; that was what I could lift – almost nothing.

I had returned to CROSSFIT for about a month, but at my age progress came very slowly.  I needed help.  When you need help, Huw is the person to meet.  The first day we met, he made an appointment with me to discuss my needs. Every minute he has spent with me after that has continued to be about meeting my needs.  

Huw is very patient with me, and he certainly knows what I need. The cornerstones of Huw’s workouts for me are flexibility, balance, mobility, form, endurance, and strength. “Rolling out” on the foam roller for flexibility helps get rid of those pesky back aches that I thought I would always have.  Proper balance and mobility are parts of every movement that is performed in the workouts Huw plans.  His coaching is extremely exacting as to the detail of proper positioning, which is how Huw teaches proper form, leading to the ability to lift more weight.  

I am happy to report that Huw’s training has improved my overall physical well-being in so many ways. 

  • It has improved my squats – which get old folks like me into and out of chairs

  • My balance which guards against falls

  • And my mobility which allows for kneeling on one knee (the trick is getting up again!).

I have gained more physical fitness with Huw than I was even paying attention to! The point is that Huw was paying attention to all of this, all the time.  No matter the age of persons he trains, Huw will get them where they want and need to be.  

 About a month after I started training with Huw, one of the other trainers asked me how I was enjoying working out at HEALTHTRAX.  My response was “I’m doing great – I’m a Lifer”.  I look at Huw not just as my Personal Trainer – but my Life Coach.  I trust him. I have recommended Huw to all my friends, and I recommend him as a Trainer/Coach to everyone who cares deeply about their physical fitness.  Just not on Thursday afternoons at 1:00.  That’s my time.