🔥 Friday Fire: Karen’s Journey — “I Never Thought I’d Be This Strong”

GB1
Jul 11, 2025
2 min read

“I always said I’d never run… and circuits? Absolutely not for me.”

Like many people, Karen thought group fitness just wasn’t her thing.

The idea of circuit training felt intimidating.

She had doubts — about her fitness level, about fitting in, and about whether it was even possible to change at this stage of life.

But as she approached her 50th birthday, she knew something had to shift.

Karen review after a GB1 fitness session with her training group. — Social media post from Karen

Starting is the Hardest Part

Karen joined GB1fitness in April last year, battling self-doubt and uncertainty.

But what she found here wasn’t what she expected — it was better.

“The hardest thing was finding the confidence to give circuits a try. So much self-doubt and nerves. But I joined GB1fitness April 2024 and haven’t looked back.”

Since then, she’s trained consistently, found a new level of confidence, and seen major changes in her physical and mental wellbeing.

Stronger Core, Stronger Life

This week’s “Build a Better Core” blog post explains how core strength isn’t just about visible abs — it’s about stability, posture, and making everyday life feel easier.

Karen lives proof of that:

“I’m stronger now and it’s helped my stamina and stability as I’m engaging my core muscles. Even simple things like carrying shopping or walking up stairs feel different.”

She’s discovered that training your core doesn’t just support movement in the gym — it changes the way you move through life.

And she’s not alone.

Core strength is one of the biggest game-changers for our members, especially those over 40.

Karen smiling post-workout at GB1 Fitness after a core-strengthening session with her training group. — Karen receiving a GB1 handshake following awesome press ups

Fitness in Your 50s — and Beyond

Approaching 51, Karen says she’s healthier now than she was in her entire 40s.

Circuits have given her strength, resilience, and most importantly, a support system that lifts her up.

“It’s a great mix of cardio and strength, and it’s helped me improve my blood pressure too. It’s always fun and such a lovely mix of people. We all have our own goals.”

Whether Karen attends once or twice a week, the key thing is showing up consistently — something we explored in “Discipline Over Motivation”, where we shared why relying on habits matters more than waiting to feel ready.

Karen is proof that consistency, community, and a strong core really can transform your everyday life.