Gaining strength while losing weight

Rowing is a uniquely demanding, high-endurance sport, engaging 90% of the body’s musculature and requiring a massive aerobic base to sustain effort and anaerobic power for intense pushes of strength. Each stroke recruits the legs, core, back, shoulders and arms in a precise sequence. 

Despite the physical exertion, Nancy Schillig decided to join an all-women’s rowing team called 34W that races through the Western Reserve Rowing Association down in the Flats.

When the 50-something had found that her weight creeping up was affecting her rowing, from getting in and out of the boat to the strokes that propel it, she decided it was time to seek professional help. The trainer-led protocol of two 20-minute workouts a week at MaxStrength Fitness filled the bill.

Gains with the Losses

She began her weight-loss journey two years ago, going from 198 to 130 pounds, a size 12 to a 6 (numbers she had not seen since the 1990s). Today she feels like she’s more than pulling her weight on the boat.

“Gaining strength was as much a goal as losing weight,” she says. “I had begun taking GLP-1 medication in April of 2024 and was concerned about losing muscle mass, as so many people do.

I felt that preserving muscle mass was essential to better balance and, frankly, better aging.”

Timing was important, too. Nancy has a full-time-plus job with KeyBank.

“The MaxStrength model fits seamlessly into my busy schedule,” she says. “You walk in and everything is ready for you. It’s not a loud class, waiting for machines or a guessing game. The trainers tell me exactly what to do. By the time we’re done, I’m feeling energized.”

Her progress is even more meaningful following foot surgery five years ago, which required an extensive and grueling 11-week recovery and left her with lingering balance issues. After two years at MaxStrength, she’s moving with greater stability and confidence.

“I brought the issue up with my trainers when I began and achieving better balance between my feet became a goal we’ve worked toward,” she says. “I’m walking and going up and down stairs better now.”

“What are You Looking at?”

MSF Founder Jeff Tomaszewski publishes a motivational e-newsletter for members, filled with science-backed content and ideas to elevate the training experience.

This month he starting to take a deeper dive into the small details of form that can make or break the results of your training, specifically your head and neck position.

“You might not realize it, but your head weighs 10-12 pounds,” says Jeff. “That’s like holding a bowling ball on top of your spine. The position of your head matters more than you think it does.”

When your head is properly aligned, the muscles in your neck, shoulders and spine distribute the weight evenly, allowing you to safely generate more power.

“Rather than letting your head drop or tilt back, keep it in a neutral position, with a fist-width distance between your chin and chest, and gaze fixed straight ahead,” he says. 

With the MaxStrength training protocol, members know their trainer is watching every detail of their form so they can get the most bang for their buck.

MaxStrength Fitness

• 13500 Pearl Road, Strongsville, 440-467-0700
• 4212 State Route 306, Willoughby, 440-226-8080
• 2211 Crocker Road, Westlake, 440-835-9090

MaxStrengthFitness.com