From Aquacise to Powerlifting!

Karen’s fitness journey began at our old Station Sports Centre in Mablethorpe.

Back then, her gym use was limited—“just lay on the floor and try and do a sit-up,” she recalls with a smile. When the venue temporarily closed, she moved to Aquacise in Louth, looking for something gentle to help manage her arthritis.

That’s when everything started to change.

Aquacise helped Karen build consistency and confidence. Now, she’s lost 4 stone, continued her fitness routine at the new centre and found a fresh goal: strength training. But getting there took support.

“One day I met Steve. We’d maybe said hello a few times. Then he started helping me with my form… Now I listen to everything he says!” she jokes.

Karen wanted to tone up alongside her weight loss and began exploring weightlifting—something completely new.

“I had never picked up a barbell before… I didn’t even know it was called a barbell!”

Throughout this journey, Karen has also been managing menopause and is on HRT.

“When I start my progestogen patch that week, I know I won’t be able to lift as much.”

But this hasn’t held her back—it’s become part of the learning process, not just for Karen but also for Steve.

“The hot sweats, the brain fog! Steve has been very patient.”

Together, they’re adapting and learning how training and menopause interact—proof that the gym isn’t just about fitness but understanding and support.

“My confidence has gone through the roof! I used to cower away in the gym and try to get in the pool as quick as possible. Now I go up to the weightlifting corner and I put my pink bag there! I feel like I belong there now.”

Karen now sets her sights on competing and hopes to attend the qualifiers for the WRPF (World Raw Powerlifting Federation) East Midlands soon!

Thanks to her own growth and a chance conversation with Active Lincolnshire’s Laura Spurr, Karen has even qualified as a Gentle Aquacise instructor—but that’s a story for another blog!

We were also lucky enough to witness Karen achieve a huge personal best in the gym — deadlifting an incredible 120kg!

Her journey is a true testament to resilience, patience and self-belief.

Karen is a beacon of inspiration and wants her story to inspire others to show that it doesn’t matter what your age is, or what your ability might be — when you put your mind to something, anything is possible.