JENNIFER
GERARDI
As a mother of three, Jen is committed to living a healthy and active lifestyle to support herself as she supports her family. She's been passionate about strength training for years, but unlocked a new level of performacne when she joined APS. As a member of The Athletic Clubs for years, she's proud of her fitness journey thus far - but she's only just getting started.
Hometown
NEW ORLEANS/
LOUISANA
Based in
NEW YORK/
NEW YORK
When I get to the gym, I zone out, focus on myself, and it really gives me clarity – for the day, for the week. I need to do it. There's no question about it.
ABOUT JEN
Fun Fact: Met her husband in a non-traditional way...​
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Coffee order: Non-fat cappuccino, two Splenda
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Ergometer of Choice: Row
THE NUMBERS
APS athletes undergo strength and conditioning testing in five key areas every 12 weeks. Testing data is used to quantify strength and conditioning adaptations and inform new training targets.
Week 0
Week 12
Back Squat
(lb)
165
175
Deadlift
(lb)
185
200
Benchpress
(lb)
100
100
Weighted Pull Up
(lb)
1
2.5
Row Ergometer
(m/6 min)
1326
1391
IN CONVERSATION
M: HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN AN ATHLETE? HOW DID YOU START STRENGTH TRAINING?
J:
I swam when I was in high school, but that's about it. Then the big trend became jazzercise. I didn’t need that much cardio, so I started exploring strength training by just going to the gym and working with dumbbells. I gradually progressed and hired trainers. When I had children I knew I needed to do something else so I hired some personal trainers to help me with my form and to learn more about strength training. But I needed something more consistent. I was loving it and I saw results that I liked, but I wanted to push that further, so I joined APS.
M: DID YOU ENJOY STRENGTH TRAINING FROM THE START?
J:
I loved it. It was something so different for me. It was challenging. Something where I can get in the zone out and really focus.
M: WHO ARE YOU OUTSIDE THE GYM?
J:
I'm very multifaceted. I'm a mother, which I love. I really cherish that role that I have. I'm a wife. I'm a daughter. I'm a sister. I'm an accountant. So my life is very all over the place. A lot of people need me and sometimes that's hard to balance.
M: WHO ARE YOU INSIDE THE GYM?
J:
In the gym, I leave all of that behind and I just focus on myself. I'm not, you know, hardcore, but when I get into the gym, that's my release and I do get competitive. I love to lift heavy. I love everything about it.
M: WHY DO YOU TRAIN?
J:
It helps my mental health and physically it helps my stamina. I’m not tired. It helps me get through the craziness of the day.
M: WHAT BENEFIT OF STRENGTH TRAINING IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
J:
My number one is my mental wellness. The physical aspects are wonderful, but for me it’s more of the mental challenge. When I get to the gym, I zone out, focus on myself, and it really gives me clarity – for the day, for the week. I need to do it. There's no question about that.
But I also love strengthening because I love the changes that I see in my body. When I wasn't strength training, I just wasn't progressing. As soon as I introduced it, I definitely saw the changes.
M: FAVORITE POST-WORKOUT MEAL?
J:
It's always grilled chicken, quinoa and maybe some broccoli.
M: WHAT'S A TYPICAL WEEK OF TRAINING FOR YOU?
J:
Monday and Wednesday I do APS and Tuesday and Thursdays I'll either do a squad workout or Pilates. I'll take a rest day on Friday, then I'll fit in Brunch Burn on Saturdays.
M: WHAT'S YOUR IDEAL SATURDAY NIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY?
J:
Going out to dinner with my friends and my husband.
M: FAVORITE RESTAURANT/DISH AT THE MOMENT?
J:
We are really loving I Sodi right now - the lasagna.
M: ANY UPCOMING FITNESS GOALS?
J:
I'm always looking to progress. I love following a progressive overload program. I always want to lift heavier and get better at my bench press.
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