Dee Dee Szal
What being a Les Mills Body Pump instructor means to me: I can continue to lead a full and pain free life, while teaching a muscular conditioning class that I love! My heart swells (I know it sounds corny) when I see a more mature participant really get motivated and excited when they begin to see results. My participants of all ages really, really trust me as their role model when I tell them they too can do it... as I have been there.
I am a 55 year old woman who since 1985 had been an instructor of step aerobics, muscular conditioning, high impact or what else the latest fad was of the time. Six years ago I was very depressed after months of experiencing excruciating in my lower back and down the side of my right leg. After several tests I was told that the pain was from the impingement of my sciatic nerve and that I had 5 bulging discs from L5 to S1. I was advised to discontinue any weight bearing exercise of any kind, or I would need to have an operation. After years of teaching I was being told to give it up, stay out of the GGX room, and especially the weight room.
Nine months later, fat and depressed, and still with back pain I went to see another doctor. Thank God I did! This doctor was an athlete, who also had back problems. He said I should start an exercise program doing light weights with high reps to strengthen my rib cage and lower back area. I walked into Gold's gym at just the right time as they were advertising the launch of Body Pump, - a safe, barbell workout, using low weights with high repetitions! I began taking the class 3-4 times a week. My back pain went away as my trunk area got stronger. No longer did I feel like a 50+ year old, has been, over the hill instructor. Instead I got certified as a Body Pump instructor. Gold's Gym gave me prime time slots. My classes are packed by participants of all ages. The rest is fabulous history!