January Member Spotlight: Sarah Bookser

When 38-year-old BZ member Sarah Bookser would dedicate time in her busy life to working out in years past, she’d go on walk jogs here and there, and often lean towards cardio activities more than strength or dynamic training exercises. Her workout regimen was ultimately not satisfying her wellness goals though, and when she joined Body Zone in August through a corporate partnership with her employer, Power Kunkle, she’s notched up her workout game quite a bit.  Her biggest hurdle? To make time for the gym. But she’s finding there is always time — you just need to build it into your schedule.  Her biggest achievement?  Like most us it’s simply just showing up. “Making my self accountable to my overall well-being and starting my day with a workout has improved my energy level and helping me sleep better at night,” she says.

The new year has come — along with several resolutions for us all — but Sarah’s determined to make it work in 2018.

Since joining BZ in August, Sarah’s gained a newfound appreciation for working out on the training floor and in her private training sessions with her BZ trainer and friend, Lindsay Hetrick. Sarah, a registered nurse,hairdresser and mother of two, does three personal training sessions a week, and tries to work out four-to-five times a week at Body Zone. Sarah loves the variety of options at BZ, and she says it’s impossible to get bored working out as a result!

When Sarah commits to a personal training session, making time in her busy schedule to devote energy to her fitness, she’s concentrated on toning and gaining muscle. Lindsay tailors Sarah’s training sessions to focus on the mechanics and form of every exercise, as well as different muscle groups every day. “I initially wanted to concentrate on one muscle group at a time, so we could really emphasize the form and the mechanics of each exercise, Lindsay said. “Once we established more familiarity with the movements, we gradually started to perform some compound exercises that would increase the heart rate a little bit; for example, a squat to a bicep curl.”

Now, Lindsay has built in circuit training for Sarah, which not only works her muscles, but elevates her heart rate considerably too. In a span of a few months, Lindsay says that Sarah has been making incredible strides in her fitness: “Sarah has really embraced these workouts like a champ. She’s been busting out everything from box jumps to jumping lunges, to even burpees! She’s a rockstar.”

Sarah’s advice to others looking to commit to wellness and fitness as the new year rolls?
“Push yourself. Be aware of how you feel and what your body is telling you. Wellness is very important for your body and mind. I am not one who “loves” working out but I do “love” how I feel after I complete a workout.”

Side note: Sarah’s a familiar face at Body Zone. When she isn’t working out or working, you’ll find her making a difference in her fellow members lives by offering Body Zone’s complimentary blood pressure screening several times per month courtesy of Power Kunkle Wellness Matters, the company’s corporate wellness brand.