Laurie Martin

Home Town:   

Bode, Iowa

Education:

• NIACC
  • Associate’s Degree
• University of Northern Iowa
  • Bachelor’s Degree:
    • Exercise Science

Motto:  Act as if it were impossible to fail!

Experience:

• I have been involved in health and fitness for 4 years
• I Coach a High School Wrestling Team

Specialties:

• Building Lean Muscle Mass
• Decreasing Fat Mass
• Sport Specific Training
• Healthy Meal Planning

Accomplishments:

• Finished ahead of Lance Armstrong in the Tour De France
• Knocked out Muhammad Ali

Finished a 2 mile run

Member of the Month

Larry Reuter

Trainer- Tyson

          For 4 years I had irregular heartbeats and then found out in the Fall of 2010 my heart was enlarged. On November 9^th, 2010 I had open-heart surgery to replace my mitral heart valve. At thanksgiving, I was back in the hospital with a rapid heart rate. During the treatment to slow my heart rate, I coded. As part of my recovery I completed cardio rehab but didn’t feel it was doing enough for me.

My wife was working with Tyson and so we talked to him and felt comfortable with his training and knowledge to be able to adapt a workout program for me.

When I started working with the Tysonator in January 2011 I couldn’t even do 2 minutes on the elliptical without being exhausted. With Tyson’s help I have gradually increased my cardio workouts and now can do over an hour on the elliptical, as well as doing high intensity intervals. Not only did I need the improved cardiovascular strength, but I also needed to regain the muscle I had lost over 2 months of doctor prescribed inactivity. Tyson has helped me to not only gain the muscle and strength that I lost, but exceed it. He never makes me do exercises; he just has a way of making me want to do it even when I don’t think I can.  He has kept me motivated and has constantly pushed me to more than I think possible.

I had my 7 month post-op check-up and the tests showed my heart was back to its normal size and my cardiologist was very impressed with my progress. The doctor told me most people 7 months post-op have gained 20+ pounds and are unable to do extended cardio workouts. I have maintained my pre-surgery weight and am able to do 2-3 days of strength training and 4 days of cardio each week. If my progress continues at this current pace the doctor hopes to be able to take me completely off my heart medication by the end of the year.

I can honestly say, I would not be where I’m at health wise or be doing as well as I am without Tyson and Snap Fitness.