Planet Fitness^® encourages its members to step out of their comfort zones in a safe, inclusive Judgement Free Zone^®. For Christina Everson, a 52-year-old retired accountant from Stanwood, Washington, that meant focusing on ways to improve her health and fitness. After being advised by her doctor to start weightlifting, she signed up for a Planet Fitness membership at Ohana Growth Partners’ Marysville (Smokey Point) location in September 2023.

“I am blind and over 50, so having a safe place to maintain a healthy body is important. I feel I would not have the strength and energy to take care of my household and grandchildren if I didn’t work out,” Everson said. “I also feel it helps keep me from depression and isolation, and having the Hydromassage after every workout keeps my pain levels down enough to return for my next workout.”

Many would allow excuses to get in the way of exercising, but Everson has not allowed her age or sight disability to stop her. She worked with Planet Fitness Trainer Michelle Harrington to come up with a three-day-a-week routine, which includes a warmup, stretching and core stabilizing exercises, full-body workouts on the Matrix electric equipment, and then a cool down on a Hydromassage chair. It only took about a month for Everson to notice improvements, including losing weight in her stomach and gaining physical strength. A year later, she continues to push herself with increasing weights.

“Christina is a wonderful advocate for herself and how she responds to strength training. We go at her pace, and she’s made real, tangible strength gains,” Harrington says. “She has more than doubled the amount she lifts for most of her exercises! We have also added in more exercises and new equipment as she’s progressed. She’s been a real inspiration to our other members.”