February 8, 2021
FitForever: The Must-Have Fitness App That Takes At-Home Workouts to a New Level
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 4 MIN. SPONSORED
I was gloating en route to my annual physical. A gay man living alone in New York City, I weathered nearly a year of pandemic solitude and hadn't gained a pound. True, I had depleted my home bar early on but quickly shifted to moderate drinking and eating habits. Then one day, my shoulder froze. And six months later, the other. Pesky tinges in my back cropped up now and then. I was doing OK. But not really.
"Can you believe it?" I boasted to my doctor. "A global pandemic, and I still look pretty good."
On the outside, I looked fine, but my body was sending a different message. Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, is natural –most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetimes, according to Harvard Medical School. But a newly imposed sedentary lifestyle wasn't doing me any favors. My doctor told me that most of his patients (a predominantly LGBTQ clientele) had maintained their weight, but their exercise routines had gone over the cliff. I was a prime example, having canceled my gym membership and spending most days and nights inside since winter's onset.
The $100 billion fitness industry has quickly pivoted online, from familiar national brands to your local trainer hosting a Zoom workout from his living room. But few have the depth of expertise and medical knowledge as FitForever. Designed by top U.S. doctors and biomechanics experts, the at-home fitness program offers customized, video-based plans to build a healthy, pain-free body that doesn't break down.
FitForever's creator Jeremy James spent more than a decade working with everyone from Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 CEOs. His combined training as a chiropractor and certified strength and conditioning specialist gave him a unique perspective on developing best practices for body movement and strength training. Partnering with specialist Bill Fabrocini and spine expert Dr. Todd Albert, the trio created a customizable platform that's earning raves from users for its easy-to-follow yet carefully constructed program.
"After 30, you should consider other reasons for exercise besides just looking good," says James. "Rather than focusing on aesthetics and calorie burning, FitForever helps you
Source: FitForever
A fitness program should evolve as you get older. Beyond muscle mass loss, age-related body changes can include bone density loss, structural changes to the large intestine (aka constipation), and weakening of the bladder muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Rather than burying my head in the sand, I downloaded the FitForever app and committed to a change, one day at a time. FitForever's initial assessment consisted of several video exercise evaluations to determine my core strength and balance. An advanced algorithm then calculated a wellness program ideally suited to my needs with two daily routines and access to more than 1,000 more in the program's video library.
Two programs – Fundamentals and Strength – comprise each day's workout. The daily routine, combined, takes less than 30 minutes. I noticed fundamental changes in how I carried myself after just a few days. After months of slouching at my desk then migrating to the couch for a night of Netflix, the FitForever program offered just the right nudge to re-engage me toward a healthier lifestyle.
James describes FitForever's strength workouts as loaded movement, with precise instructions on moving in multiple planes. I realized, having sampled other home workouts, that few acknowledged or explained our bodies' dimensionality. In short: we're not flat. Even though the delivery is through a computer screen or mobile phone, the instructors' medical and sports performance backgrounds elevate FitForever's content to a best-in-class product.
For some, building a community is an equally important part of their fitness routine. FitForever's recently launched private Facebook group connects users to share their successes and support one another. Additional planned features include live group classes, more robust interaction with FitForver experts and functions that widen the lens on self-care to include eating habits and stress management.
Affordably priced at $14.99 per month or $99 annually, FitForever is also addressing one of the major barriers to optimal health: accessibility. Numerous studies indicate health disparities facing the LGBTQ community, including higher odds of obesity and greater risk of heart disease.
FitForever is my first step toward rewriting the statistics stacked against the LGBTQ community. But more importantly, as the world begins to right itself amid a global pandemic, I'll be ready to step out with pride.
Ready to try FitForever? Save $20 on the Yearly Membership with a special offer for EDGE readers. Use code EDGEMEDIA at checkout.
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
