Healthspan vs. lifespan

When he founded MaxStrength Fitness in 2007, Jeff Tomaszewski created a science-backed methodology that favored intensity over time spent in the gym, transforming lives with a better-built mousetrap that’s been featured on ABC, CBS and CNN, and in Newsweek and The New York Times to name a few.

With a background in therapy and sports medicine, Jeff is uniquely qualified to focus on a modality that safely fatigues the muscles, so you get the most from your trainer-led workout. Slow, low-friction equipment is a hallmark of the protocol. The specialized machines take stress off the joints while effectively building muscle and dictating change in the body.

“We’ve evolved to become a perfect fit in busy people’s lives,” says Jeff. “The workouts are no sweat by design, since we keep the studios at 67 degrees. Our members can come in and go back to their busy days without worrying about showering.”

The concept was so novel—and proven to produce results—that over the years it was a natural for Jeff and his team to explore franchising. Today, in addition to locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Jeff’s 20-minute, twice-a-week concept has exploded on a national level, with 21 franchise partners with 43 studios awarded and 11 opened across 10 states.

Meet Tonda

As a senior marketing strategist with Mimi Magazine since 2014, over the years Tonda has had a front-row seat at photo shoots and interviews with people who have had success at MSF.

“I believed in Jeff’s approach from our strategy sessions and all the impressive testimonials,” says Tonda, who swam competitively from school age through college. “Still, as a lifelong athlete with a ‘go big or go home’ mindset, I couldn’t imagine 20 minutes twice a week working for me. I’ve boxed, done yoga, worked with trainers, lifted weights and done HIIT, TRX and spinning—hours spent trying to stay strong and in shape—so this felt counterintuitive.”

Inactivity, Injury, Pain

Several circumstances over a several-year period culminated in a decline in Tonda’s health. In 2019, she lost her beloved dog and hiking companion, Rebel, to cancer. Her father’s dementia and Parkinson’s worsened, and her husband fell, breaking his foot and knee, leaving him home bound. Then her father passed away. She felt herself get increasingly stressed and out of shape.

Walking a dog in 2023 led to an unexpected knee injury that left Tonda with pain and an occasional limp.

“It really slowed me down,” says the 64-year-old. “I still walked, biked and swam, but much more cautiously. Walking dogs is my stress relief and joy, but I stopped taking the active ones because I didn’t trust my knee.”

When her daughter got engaged in June 2024 and set an October 2025 wedding date, Tonda decided it was time to see if MaxStrength could help her rebuild strength, reduce knee pain, and make sure she could move confidently at her daughter’s wedding. 

“Very quickly I discovered the testimonials were completely true,” she says. “I feel better than I have in years. When I walked down the aisle (wearing heels!), my own brother said he didn’t even recognize me—that absolutely made my day!”

Protein is Key

Tonda’s trainer, Bobby Ford, says she is one of those members who likes to push herself and learn about the “why” behind the exercises she’s doing.

“We customized workouts around her knee injury, keeping tension on it to strengthen the muscle without straining the joint,” he says. “Change came about in small increments, which we saw as big wins over time.”

Six months in, Tonda’s knee felt great, and her whole body was noticeably stronger. She began asking Bobby more about nutrition and learned just how important protein is for building and maintaining muscle. He recommended tracking her intake with a simple app—a game-changer. Adequate protein, she discovered, is key to preserving muscle, staying strong, and aging well, especially for older adults. Today, Tonda has lost 40 pounds, and at a recent physical, her doctor noted significant improvements in her health markers.

“At MaxStrength, we feel you can’t put a price on your healthspan. It’s invaluable,” says Bobby.

Thankfully for Tonda, that span is looking bright.

“I may have joined because of my daughter’s wedding, but I plan to do this the rest of my life,” she says. “Fact is, none of us knows what the future holds, but through MaxStrength training, I believe that my body will be as strong as possible to handle whatever comes next.” 

MaxStrength Fitness is located at 4212 State Route 306 in Willoughby. Call 440-226-8080 at 2211 Crocker Road in Westlake, 440-835-9090 and at13500 Pearl Road in Strongsville, 440-467-0700 or for more information or to view more testimonials, visit MaxStrengthFitness.com.