Jennifer Lormand is the owner and head trainer of Ascension Fitness in Metairie, Louisiana and author of the mommymovement. Watching the video testimonials of Jennifer’s clients, it’s obvious that her mission to break down long-standing barriers for her clients to achieve success in a private, comfortable, motivating training environment is having a real impact in her community. Her commitment to empowerment through education and connection inspires us all to serve our clients better. Here is how Jennifer continues to raise the bar in the industry…
Full Name: Jennifer Lormand
Certifications/qualifications: B.S. Exercise Physiology, ACE-CPT, And Author of mommymovement: new baby. new body. new life. The 8-week body back program for new moms
Studio/Business Name: Ascension Fitness
Website: www.ascensionfitnessnola.com, www.jennlormand.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ascensionfitness
Year started in business: have been working in the field since 1995, opened Ascension Fitness in 2010
List any PR/recognition/awards received:
We have appeared on all of the local NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX affiliates in our area to discuss our program mommymovement and why it is different than other new mom programs out there. People in our community, see us as the mommy fitness experts.
What inspired you to start your business?
After working in a big box facility for 10 years, I knew that I wanted to give my clients more than what they were receiving and I was tired of dealing with the red tape of a big corporate business. I had developed my program and was ready to take it to the next level, and in my heart I knew that opening my own studio, was the only way I could get my message out!
What is one hard lesson you’ve learned in business you believe has been most valuable?
One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned is to stay true to your passion and vision. In our industry it is so easy to get distracted by the newest equipment and program to earn residual income. I am guilty of chasing a few of those and then realizing that I was moving away from the things that made me excited about what I do in the first place. Keeping things simple and focused I believe are the keys to success.
If I asked one of your clients why they choose you over other places/gyms/trainers, what would they likely say?
My clients have told me that they train with us because they know that we care. We create a safe environment for women to come as who they are. There are no judgments about how they look, or what they wear to work out. We make it a point to create a supportive community that congratulates one another on their successes and reach out to help when someone is struggling. And just as importantly we have been told that we are excellent at identifying weak links in the body and not just helping them get results through weight loss and fat loss but more importantly that our clients function better in their bodies in real life. Reducing chronic pain points and improving posture by strengthening the foundation of the body is always the first thing we address with any client before progressing to anything else.
Name one or two ways you are trying to raise the bar in the industry?
My passion is to create change within our industry as to how we train the female body after having a baby. My goal is to get each trainer familiar with the function of the pelvic floor, and understand that it is THE MOST IMPORTANT component of our core. The statistics are staggering on what so many women are dealing with…1 in every 9 women deal with pelvic organ prolapsed (the falling of the pelvic organs down into the vaginal canal) and 1 in every 3 women deal with pelvic floor dysfunction. A weak pelvic floor can lead to chronic back pain and injury, piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac pain, knee and ankle injuries. This is something that we as trainers can help our clients with. When you teach a women how to engage her pelvic floor it improves many of the above symptoms, and even better their relationship with their partner improves and their self confidence soars!
