Name: Robert Armstrong
Position/Title: Manager

LWHS: Have you always been a fitness enthusiast?
RA: No, not really. I have exercised on and off for several years but it has been only for the past 2 years that I have I formally followed a program.

LWHS: What does your regular Fitness/ Wellness regime look like?
RA: I really try to make use of the onsite facility and programs by doing my fitness on my lunch hours. A typical week looks like this: on Monday’s and Friday’s I attend the onsite ABT Fitness class and Core Class and sometimes add some cardio, Tuesdays and Thursdays I do my own strength Training circuit (program created by my LifeWorks Personal Trainer), Wednesday I’m back at the gym doing cardio and abs on my own. On the weekends I don’t do any specific training programs but I try to remain active overall by taking my son swimming or kicking a ball around with him or going for a nature walk/hike.

LWHS: What benefits do you feel a program of regular fitness/wellness gives you?
RA: Having a regular program increases my energy level and helps me sleep better. I also find that any aches and pains that I have go away with regular exercise. In addition I have better cognitive function – I find that exercise makes me think faster and work more efficiently than someone who does not exercise. The final benefit I experience is that I find I don’t get sick as often, and when I do it is usually less sever than if I weren’t exercising.

LWHS: When did you start working with a trainer and why?
RA: I first started working with Allison (LifeWorks Personal Trainer) about 2 years ago. She’s helped me develop some fun programs for me to do on my own that keep me challenged and interested.

LWHS: What is the experience of being trained like?
RA: The experience of being trained has been great - I’ve made significant improvements in my fitness level by following the exercise programs that Allison has created. I find I don’t workout quite as intensely on my own but still, but I am getting better results than when I created my own exercise programs. Working one on one with a trainer is the most ideal situation as a trainer pushes you harder than you would work out on your own.

LWHS: Why do you continue to work with a trainer?
RA: Trainers have the expertise needed to design a well balanced workout that I can then take and use on my own for maximum results.

LWHS: On a personal note, how have you enjoyed working with LWHS fitness/wellness professionals and practitioners?
RA: I have enjoyed working with the LWHS staff at my corporate site.

LWHS: On a corporate note, what do you enjoy about working with LifeWorks?
RA: Having the expertise and guidance right here onsite is very convenient – it really enables me to have mid day workouts and get the most out of my time.

LWHS: What does LifeWorks bring to your Corporate Wellness/Fitness Program?
RA: Having a facility and staff onsite provides me the opportunity to join in on training groups during working hours (lunch times). Also, by providing Personal Training, employees have the opportunity to have tailor made exercise programs that meet their personal needs and goals. As a corporation this access and quality means that overall we experience greater working efficiency. While I may take time away from work to exercise during lunch or breaks, my overall working efficiency has increased which benefits me as an employee and my company as a corporation.

LWHS: What does wellness mean to you?
RA: Wellness is mental and physical health, muscle tone, cardiovascular endurance, energy level,…

LWHS: What does wellness mean to your company as a corporation?
RA: I think wellness is well promoted throughout my company as an corporation as an organization; having on-site fitness centers and onsite trainers really attests to that.

LWHS: What inspires you to lead a balanced life?
RA: I don’t know if I would say I lead a balanced life yet… my eating habits are not so good but my fitness regime helps. :)

LWHS: What is your best piece of wellness advice?
RA: Stick to a schedule; don’t let interruptions get in the way because there will always be interruptions. Set your priorities and stick to them. Once you are in the habit of exercising, you actually really miss it when you are not able exercise on any particular day. I put my workout in MS outlook as a scheduled meeting and do not cancel these scheduled workouts unless I am not feeling well – I find that really helps me!