30 Nov 2009

Healthy and Strong on the Hill

For personal trainer Katherine Hambrice, a healthy, strong body is the best vehicle for a vibrant body and soul.

Hill resident and personal trainer Katherine Hambrice was a successful travel manager with a bright future in the business, but, like so many women, she found herself “limited by her hours spent behind a desk.” Looking for a release, the health-minded Hambrice turned to running. “About 20 years ago, I started running for weight and stress management. I loved the community aspect of events such as the Capitol Hill Classic, the Army 10-miler and the Komen Race for the Cure.”

When Hambrice began to develop a runners’ posture, which included slumped shoulders and a forward head tilt, she turned to Pilates, a decision that would eventually change her life.

In 2005, at 35 years old, a car hit Hambrice when she was riding a motor scooter. Her injuries appeared almost insurmountable. “I had multiple breaks in both my arms and legs. The doctor gave my right leg a 50/50 chance of surviving, given the lack of blood flow.” Hambrice spent a month in hospitals, followed by four months in a wheel chair. In the course of a year, Hambrice progressed from crutches to a cane. While Hambrice was able to walk, she found the loss of her physical life devastating. “Doctors and physical therapists were focused on getting me walking; nobody wanted to talk about running.”

Fortunately, Hambrice found a physical therapist who understood “the value of an active life” and encouraged her to stay active and not accept a life of limping along, to not accept simply being happy because she survived. “Pilates helped me heal. When I couldn’t bend my legs, I could do leg circles, spine stretch forward and saw. When I couldn’t walk, I could do lower/lift, cork screw, and teasers–lots of teasers. My awesome physical therapist incorporated the Pilates I once practiced as a runner into the exercises I did from my bed.”

As her body and her spirit began to heal, Hambrice was then able to recognize the role that physical fitness played in her life and set out to become a trainer. “I knew I wanted to help people incorporate health and strength into their everyday lives. With fitness comes confidence, a better relationship with your body, your community and the world. And as we go from our 30s into our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, we need to build on our baseline of fitness to keep us involved with our families and communities. Fitness becomes less about vanity, and more about a full physical integration of body, mind and spirit.”

In 2007, Hambrice enrolled in a personal training course at City Fitness in Cleveland Park and learned everything from nutrition, to motivation, program design and business practices. “I am certified through American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a personal trainer. My Pilates certification is from Power Pilates.”

Hambrice also offers clients the opportunity to train at home, on their schedule. “I offer personal training in people’s homes here on Capitol Hill. My focus is on core work using Pilates exercises.” Through a series of six lessons, clients learn both the exercises at the core of Pilates, as well as the reasoning behind the specific movements. “We go into detail about breathing, centering, opposition and precision, offering a comprehensive approach to understanding the program.” Some clients then move on to classes at their local gym or studio while others prefer the personal attention and convenience of in-home lessons, where Hambrice has been known to work around play dates and nap time.

Hambrice, a runner at heart, also offers cardio programs. “One of my happiest accomplishments to date is training a working mother in her mid 30s, who returned to exercise in February after a seven year hiatus that included having two children. I created a program of Pilates, walking, running and stretching,” said Hambrice.  To date, Holly Takamura has completed two local 10ks and reduced her waist and hip measurements two inches. “I haven’t felt this good since I was in my twenties,” said Takamura. “Plus, I didn’t even have to change my diet!”

If you would like to take a class with Hambrice at a local gym, she can be found at Results Gym on Capitol Hill and at City Fitness Gym in Cleveland Park. To schedule a consultation for personal training at home, contact Hambrice at healthyandstrong@gmail.com or at (202) 460-5284.

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10 responses to “Healthy and Strong on the Hill”

  1. Pat says:

    Great article about a Great person.. Way to go Kathe….Now how about a Martini???? ;o)

  2. Carol says:

    Kuddo’s Kathe! What an inspiration to lots of folks.

  3. Dee says:

    Way to go Kathe! You have truly found your niche. I only wish I lived closer so I could become one of your clients.

  4. Jennifer S says:

    Awesome Kathe!!!!! I wish you could be my personal trainer. What a true inspiration you are.

  5. Gwen says:

    Great accomplishment, in spite of the obstacles.

  6. Julie (Sullivan) McGoo says:

    Hey Kathe – how awesome are you??? So happy that you are working and living as you should – with the wind in your face and a firm belly!!! Great stuff….keep up the good work.

    Merry Christmas!
    Julie

  7. Mo says:

    You are such an inspiration! Not only to folks who have to overcome horrendous obstacles, but little old ladies, like me! You go girl! Merry Christmas!

  8. Jeff Zovak says:

    Thats My Kathe. My lifelong Friend.

  9. Toni Lesko says:

    Kathe, Your determination and accomplishments are truly an inspiration. Keep up the marvelous – positive work.

    Toni (friend of your wonderful Mother)

  10. Uncle Philip says:

    Fantastic Kathe. May GOD bless you and keep you strong. Now I will join you and uncle Pat wit that martini

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