-
October 2023 by Jennifer W. Burt
I have benefited greatly from my physical training at FIF with Eric Kenyon and am grateful for the experiences and improvements I have made in my physical fitness and resilience to injury with his help. I have had some predisposition to joint injuries over the past decade especially with my low back, that started after my first child was born. In most recent years, I had gotten to a place where I was living in some cautious avoidance of having a low back flare up, because those injuries would derail my life for weeks, requiring scheduling physical therapy sessions and taking time off activities that I love doing, just to try to get back to baseline again. When I wasn't in pain, I would do pilates or crossfit type classes or home workouts with no clear positive outcomes towards physical resilience, and occasionally I would just end up with another injury setback from something I did pushing myself too hard or doing something with bad form in a group exercise class, which was always so disappointing. When I started training with Eric, I admit it almost felt like the things we were doing were almost too easy or pain-free to work. However, after some months I could tell I was quite a bit stronger, and over a year later I am undeniably so much stronger than I was, and stronger in a very functional way. I feel much more resilient to injury than I had before starting with his coaching. I occasionally still have some minor flare ups in my low back when I overdo something (like an overly long day of intensive yardwork, or sitting way too long on a long travel day, or similar), but these events have been less frequent, much less painful, and have resolved much more quickly (and without requiring any physical therapy) since I started working with Eric. He has also given me a lot of tools that I use when I do experience some discomfort to help flare ups resolve quickly. Also, the workouts he leads me through in his small group classes are always completely tailored to my specific situation and how strong and capable I am feeling that day, and he does that for each person who comes to class. Top two rules in his physical practice are no fear and no pain (though some muscle soreness after a good workout does not count, that's good pain), and it turns out for me that is a good recipe for success and for wanting to continue training with Eric. Thanks Eric!
-
September 2023 by Marina Gage
Last year I decided I was going to actively fight the slow decline of my aging body. 2023 was to be the 'year of self-care' and at the top of the list was to get in shape...but how?...where to start?I wanted to do it right this time. I had tried joining gyms [and the personal training sessions that came with new memberships]. I had tried online classes, and in-person classes. Nothing felt right, so nothing stuck. And this time I wanted real results that I could see and feel, quickly. And I wanted to make sure those results didn't go away if I went on vacation for a couple weeks.I had seen the Form is Function website the previous year, but had hesitated assuming the lack of information about the cost meant it was too expensive. But in January, a year after seeing the site the first time, I found myself back there and clicked on 'Book an Appointment' to schedule a 60 minute consultation with Eric. It was free so, at the least, I would get 60 minutes worth of discussion on my physical condition and habits and hopefully some feedback from a professional, which is a substantial amount of time. He gave me even more than 60 mins, and a follow-up call. Again, I was hesitant about cost because he has you commit, and what if I didn't like it, or couldn't figure out how to make it work with my schedule, but something about Eric's approach to what is important, smart, safe, achievable, and good in fitness made sense to me...and this was the year of self-care, so I signed up! And I'm so glad I did.The initial commitment was to sign up [and pay] for 3 months, a beginner's period. Each session I got noticeably stronger, breaking personal records at almost every visit. I had to travel a lot and missed sessions, but Eric didn't measure 3 months with a calendar, he measured it by number of sessions, so I never felt like I was missing out or losing money on my investment. Not only did the periodic neck and back pain that I had considered to be my new normal gone away, I now do things I couldn't even do as a teen. I have achieved goals I almost had stopped believing were possible.I just finished my first 3 months [chronologically 6 months due to my traveling] and have more strength, and confidence in that strength, that I had expected. Everything else I had tried made me feel like a failure, like I wasn't trying hard enough, working diligently enough, doing it right. I have never felt anything close to that here...quite the opposite. I have a pride in what I can do and how I got there, which is invaluable. Now it's time to come up with new goals and blow those out of the water ;-)
-
September 2023 by Google user
Last year I decided I was going to actively fight the slow decline of my aging body. 2023 was to be the 'year of self-care' and at the top of the list was to get in shape...but how?...where to start? I wanted to do it right this time. I had tried joining gyms [and the personal training sessions that came with new memberships]. I had tried online classes, and in-person classes. Nothing felt right, so nothing stuck. And this time I wanted real results that I could see and feel, quickly. And I wanted to make sure those results didn't go away if I went on vacation for a couple weeks. I had seen the Form is Function website the previous year, but had hesitated assuming the lack of information about the cost meant it was too expensive. But in January, a year after seeing the site the first time, I found myself back there and clicked on 'Book an Appointment' to schedule a 60 minute consultation with Eric. It was free so, at the least, I would get 60 minutes worth of discussion on my physical condition and habits and hopefully some feedback from a professional, which is a substantial amount of time. He gave me even more than 60 mins, and a follow-up call. Again, I was hesitant about cost because he has you commit, and what if I didn't like it, or couldn't figure out how to make it work with my schedule, but something about Eric's approach to what is important, smart, safe, achievable, and good in fitness made sense to me...and this was the year of self-care, so I signed up! And I'm so glad I did. The initial commitment was to sign up [and pay] for 3 months, a beginner's period. Each session I got noticeably stronger, breaking personal records at almost every visit. I had to travel a lot and missed sessions, but Eric didn't measure 3 months with a calendar, he measured it by number of sessions, so I never felt like I was missing out or losing money on my investment. Not only did the periodic neck and back pain that I had considered to be my new normal gone away, I now do things I couldn't even do as a teen. I have achieved goals I almost had stopped believing were possible. I just finished my first 3 months [chronologically 6 months due to my traveling] and have more strength, and confidence in that strength, that I had expected. Everything else I had tried made me feel like a failure, like I wasn't trying hard enough, working diligently enough, doing it right. I have never felt anything close to that here...quite the opposite. I have a pride in what I can do and how I got there, which is invaluable. Now it's time to come up with new goals and blow those out of the water ;-)
-
July 2023 by Carol Riggs
When I first met Eric in mid-January, my goals related to overall fitness and improved health. Although I knew I needed to lose weight, I saw that as a side benefit, and I wasn’t counting on it. Honestly, I didn’t believe I could lose weight, and I didn’t want to set myself up for failure.Although I prided myself on eating healthy foods, the truth was that ice cream and baked goods had been my Achille’s heel for years. I couldn’t resist a fudgy brownie or mocha almond fudge ice cream, not to mention the sugar lurking in many other foods on my ‘healthy’ diet. Life had been stressful, and I loved delicious foods! Eating was my emotional crutch.About five weeks in, Eric presented me with my eating plan to help me reach my goals, and I knew it was time to get real and clean up my act! Starting in March, I cut out all foods containing sugar, substitutes for sugar, and foods that quickly turned into sugar. I eat as much as I want of the foods on my list, and I don’t have to count calories or track what I eat, thank goodness!To date, I am 24 pounds lighter. As I’ve released excess fat, I’ve increased muscle mass with the daily exercises and strength training I’ve been doing for the past five months. I am almost 5 inches slimmer in both my hips and waist.I now look in the mirror, and I recognize myself! I’m proud of myself, yet more important is the change I see in my overall health and well-being. I needed Eric’s expertise and coaching to get where I am today! Thank you!
-
May 2023 by Annie Keville
It's really all in the name- Form is Function will help you make your form more functional and your function more formidable. I'm not an athlete, don't have many fitness goals other than staving off the inevitable entropy, being fit enough to move about as needed: gardening, kayaking,the occasional hike or skate. I like to not be in pain . I originally took to kettlebell practice over 10 years ago after a bout of shoulder bursitis. I liked my instructor and his practice helped me. During Covid when our practice space closed I slacked off a little until i found Form is Function. From across the country, via video , in my own living room I benefitted from the astute perceptive teachings of Eric and his modest adjustments to techniques I had been practicing. Frankly the results were immediate and kind of astounding. you get out what you put in to it and Eric is extremely encouraging of one's efforts and shares in your joy of movement improvement. Online class was sometimes one on one and more frequently involved local folks in studio and others scattered throughout the country. It provides a supportive community and you can watch others attain and surpass their own wellness goals. During that time i sustained a non-workout related reactivation of an old leg injury- Eric's knowledge and intelligent questioning enabled me to continue working out in a safe manner that did not cause any pain or lengthen healing time. Highly recommend to the casual and professional athlete,anyone hoping to get back in shape after an injury , and my fellow slackers, wherever you are, in studio or from a completely different part of the country.
-
May 2023 by Jill Mahanna
I am so grateful to have found Form is Function and Eric! I arrived a year ago pretty disheartened with the fitness culture and my own fitness journey. Even though I enjoy exercise, it felt like a full-time job to figure out how to stay fit and prevent injury as I age. I have practiced many different fitness modalities (crossfit, fitness clubs, pilates, yoga). This is the first one that has felt simple, clear, and effective. I experienced results at FiF immediately--in my mood, my confidence, and my strength. I have retained excellent mobility without all the tricks and recipes and overthinking. Pain that I had in my right hip and right foot has disappeared. I have osteopenia but my bone density has not declined; I fully expect it to increase in the next couple of years as I solidify my practice at FIF. Eric helped me to get clear on my fitness goals and the process to get there. I want to be able to camp and hike with my family for decades to come, I want to continue my acro yoga practice and remain injury-free; I want to garden and care for my land into my 80s and beyond (I'm 58 now.) As with most people, my schedule is quite full (full-time job, ailing mother, children, land to steward); I am thrilled to know I can accomplish my goals with a mere three hours a week training. I had always thought I needed to be at it hours a day most days a week. Actually, so many of the things I used to believe about fitness I have (thankfully) learned are not true. I can honestly say that my time with Form is Function has been life-changing in the best way and I give them my highest recommendation.
-
April 2023 by Betsy Lombard
The knowledge and experience I've gained working with Eric Kenyon at Form is Function have truly created a roadmap for healthy aging. My bone density has remained the same for the 7 years I have been doing this work and that is remarkable because I am the classic type for osteoporosis and just turned 67. I am strong, flexible and resilient. I also notice that when I almost fall, my body corrects itself and I am back up again. That is an instinctive move and I am always pleasantly surprised! Also, of course the mood benefits....the days that I lift kettlebells and do pullup practice, I am better at painting because there is a layer of deep bodily satisfaction and contentedness that puts my chronic pain from arthritis in the background, and my life happiness in the front of my mind. Thanks, Eric for teaching me all this.
-
March 2023 by Lauren Trecosta
Form is Function is more than exercise. It's a mind-body-spirit experience. The information I learned has transferred into how I engage in physical activity -- and how I engage with life. Eric and the teaching will meet you where you are at and -- if you are willing to show up for yourself (and your experience is similar to mine!) -- move you surprisingly forward in a relatively brief amount of time.
-
March 2023 by Wrenna Young
I am incredibly lucky to have found Form is Function and Eric! I'm in my mid 20's and have been dealing with nearly daily pain from knee and tailbone injuries years back and after only a few months with Eric that pain was reduced about 90%. It has changed my life. I never thought it was even possible for me, I thought I had just started my journey into a chronically painful adulthood, but not now! Eric worked with my specific needs and body to tailor a training program just for me. It's always a safe and communicative training environment. His goals are to see you succeed in what you want and also to be happy and healthy so he'll never push you to do something that is dangerous for your body. I also find the mindset I've learned at FIF has beautifully leaked into my everyday life. I have a more positive outlook on what I think I can do, I've completed tasks I would have usually given up on because I'm developing a real intuition about my actual limits and abilities and they're a lot higher than I ever thought they could be. If you're unsure about coming to Form is Function, I'd recommend just doing the free consultation with Eric! Even if you don't end up doing FIF, you'll probably get a lot out of that one consultation!
-
November 2022 by Valerie Goulding
I've practiced many fitness systems and engaged in a lot of movement and routines in my lifetime: Crossfit, olympic weightlifting, yoga, martial arts, hiking, etc... but when I began to experience chronic neck pain that affected every area of my life, I went to Eric at FIF.I'm glad I did.The movements and techniques he taught me healed my neck (and knees and lower back) pain by activating, engaging, and strengthening muscles I wasn't using - and kind of didn't even know were there. Hard to describe - but there's a psychological component to it. The retraining he takes you through also leads to some healthier perspectives and attitudes. It gives you a few things to think about, not to mention tweak. Call it soft skill training and development? Let's go with that.I was compensating for a lack of full mobility by overusing muscles I was historically comfortable with to perform repetitive movements. Meanwhile, a whole series of muscles were atrophying. This created problems for the vertebrae of my spine, began to distort posture, and cause severe pain.My work with Eric has changed the way I stand, the way I regard integrated movement and weight training, and has enabled me to live and do my job pain free - as long as I keep up with the training, which is easy to do at home.Consider spending some time and money with Eric getting to know and retraining your body dynamics. You can't put a price tag on a pain free existence, but you sure can measure the ways pain holds you back from a full and happy life.
-
October 2022 by Missouri Belk-Hurst
Form is Function has been there to support me across my entire fitness journey. My deadlift went from barely my bodyweight to a PR of 300lbs. When I wanted to build mass, my bodyweight went from 145lbs to 170lbs. When I got climbers elbow, FiF helped me heal and prevent future injury. FiF gave me confidence in my strength on the climbing wall and helps me feel anti-fragile. Eric is an incredibly knowledgeable instructor and always fascinating to have a conversation with. No matter what your fitness goals are, I believe Eric and FiF can help.
-
September 2022 by A J West
Working with Eric changed my life. Form is Function is a world class strength & conditioning program. The work I've done here has benefited me in my athletic activities from skiing to Jiu Jitsu, my physical performance in the skilled trades and in my ability to prevent and recover from injuries. I can't over state how pleased I am with the training methods I've learned here.
-
August 2022 by Ania Przybycien
The work I've been doing with Eric has been life-changing. I spend a lot of time at a computer, and I've had severe lower back issues from improper posture and too many hours of sitting. Maintaining a strong body with proper functional movements is the only thing that keeps my back from going out. Learning about what works and doesn't work for my body is a continuous discovery process. With Eric's training, I've learned correct movements and how to use weights safely. The knowledge and strength I've gained have carried over to my everyday life – which is incredibly helpful even in the garden and carrying groceries!I can attribute my mountain biking, snowboarding, etc., capabilities to this work. I've even had some serious falls that have thankfully only resulted in minor injuries because my body is strong and adept. I also love that this is helping build my bone density which is essential later in life.Now, after four years of training, my strength doesn't disappear even if I have a few weeks break from training. I highly encourage anyone with injuries or looking to improve their strength or athletic performance to work with Eric. You won't be disappointed.
-
August 2022 by elisabeth linsky
I love Form is Function. Eric has completely changed my understanding and relationship with my body and strength. I can’t suggest him highly enough.
-
October 2021 by Zeph Lock
Eric at Form is Function is a phenomenal instructor. His depth of knowledge is unmatched. I very highly recommend him to anyone looking to gain a higher quality of life, physically speaking. I can not express enough the benefit I have found in his classes.