I was a patron of OsteoStrong in 2 different locations in Northern Virginia for several years prior to Covid. I was unable to afford more than $50/mo, and since I got in on the ground floor, the owners in both locations were willing to let me in for that amount and I maintained paying that amount throughout my use of the services. In other words, people offering OsteoStrong cared more about helping me increase my physical dexterity as well as strength and quality of life than they wanted to get rich off of my membership. This is indicative of the type of intrinsic integrity of the OsteoStrong program, exercises, and movement. Yes, I would call it a movement, and it was growing prior to Covid.
I LOVED OSTEO STRONG!
It made a huge difference in my ability to walk, climb stairs, lift things (like small boxes, maybe 30-45 lbs). I felt strong, constant energy, and felt like I was back in my early 30s or 40s, but worked with Osteostrong throughout my 60s. 15-20 minutes a week. It made such an incredible impact on my ability to walk and feel strong and move that I thought it would last forever.
When Covid hit and they closed down the 2 OsteoStrong franchises close to me, I tried to keep up the movements. But without the machinery, it became more & more difficult to do the things I had gotten used to doing.
Now 5 years later, I find it difficult to go up stairs w/out using banisters and almost impossible to go down since I have an injury on my right knee. The knee injury was present the whole time I was working in OsteoStrong and doing the machinery regularly diminished the pain and the disability to the point where it was negligible. I forgot I had a problem with my right knee. I was able to stand up straight, carry myself with good posture, feel energetic and able to do things to take care of myself & my home. For example, carry groceries & trash, carry the cat in her crate for vet appointments, and this included working with my grandchildren and horses on the farm, mucking out stalls, lifting tack (saddles, bridles), large hay nets etc.), general gardening, housework in a three-story house.
I'm constantly checking to see if there's an OsteoStrong starting up near me again. I'm in a Section 8 housing for independent living and becoming very sedentary. I'm having trouble walking distances, can barely carry anything and only go up the stairs when I absolutely have to anymore. I used to enjoy going up the stairs! I'd go out of my way just to carry boxes up and downstairs because I was so joyous being able to do it again.
Losing this physical ability to move and feel capable of taking care of myself is not only physically difficult but also having an impact on my increased depression and overeating.
OsteoStrong gave me the opportunity to live again, to move and feel confident and independent. If there's ever any chance I can get back into working with OsteoStrong I'd be willing to drive 50 miles one way just to take part in it once a week. When I saw online that some people think it was a scam I was shocked. It is so the opposite of a scam! The people I worked with were caring and careful, and did everything they could to encourage all of us and keep us working out once a week. That's all that's necessary - not hours and hours at a gym. It seems basic isometrics, but the impact it had on me was so much more. I could watch my results increasing exponentially every week. If the two locations where I worked out still have my weekly sheets I'd be happy to give them permission to share them with you.
Please reply to my email if you need more information or if I can help encourage the resurgence of OsteoStrong in any way! It works! Without it, my quality of life has definitely taken a nose dive.