Congratulations to Rhonda Johnson, our April Fitness Patron of the Month!

Check out her story here:

My name is Rhonda Johnson. I serve as the Director of IT Networks, Infrastructure and Communication Systems at Aims Community College. As a lifelong equestrian, I help 4-H kids learn to ride, care for and exhibit horses in a variety of disciplines.  I am honored to be chosen as the fitness patron of the month.

I’ve been blessed to be able to compete with my horses at the national and world levels in several different classes. However, aging and riding don’t play so nicely together, and I’ve had more than my share of injuries. Arthritis and tendinitis are presenting more and more barriers to movement and comfort.

I had been a member of a wonderful local gym for many years. Recently, doing many of the activities such as weight lifting and elliptical work have caused pain and injury. I was discouraged and I dreaded going to the gym. I felt that, while I need the work so badly, I couldn’t continue with these activities.

I started attending the aqua fitness classes at Carbon Valley Recreation Center.  All of the Aqua Fitness instructors are so encouraging and inspiring. They make the classes fun and challenging, and they’re wonderful at adapting the material to the abilities of the participants.

I made the decision to switch to all water workouts. I attend two aqua fitness classes per week, and more whenever I’m off work. I also swim laps twice per week, working with water weights and doing pull-ups and chin-ups.

Working out this way has increased my mobility and decreased pain and stiffness. The classes are enjoyable and incredibly beneficial. I think it’s important to find some fitness activity you can do that you love, rather than something you dislike. I appreciate the opportunity to attend aqua fitness classes and I hope that everyone can find and follow through on activities they enjoy and that benefit them physically and mentally.