Assessing Fitness for Older Clients

Meet Jackson Lohr: The Shenandoah Valley’s Go-To Trainer for Older Adults

Jackson Lohr is a personal trainer based in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, located near the mountains and close to the University of Virginia. With six years in the industry, Jackson brings a deep background in sports medicine and strength and conditioning, holding an undergraduate degree from Messiah College and a master’s degree from Liberty University. His journey started in athletic training, where he spent three years working full-time before launching his own business, Fitness for Life.

Who Jackson Serves: Specializing in Unique and Older Populations

Jackson’s focus is on helping adults 60 and up-especially those with unique anatomical needs, disabilities, or chronic pain that hasn’t been resolved by traditional physical therapy. He’s passionate about empowering his clients to regain confidence in their bodies, improve their strength and bone density, and ultimately reduce chronic pain. His mission: to ensure that no one is limited by what a doctor says and help people live —and even die —on their terms.

A Funny Sideline Story: When Passion Meets Soccer Etiquette

Jackson’s love for soccer runs deep. He shared an early-career story from his time as a student in athletic training at Messiah College. At his first-ever sideline assignment for a conference championship soccer game, his passion got the better of him. Started yelling instructions to the players (who were way more skilled than he was) from behind the coaches. One of the coaches turned around and, in a pretty polite way, told him to “shut up” and let them handle the coaching. Lesson learned: sideline etiquette is a real thing, and sometimes your enthusiasm needs a filter!

How Jackson Attracts and Retains Clients

* Facebook Community: Jackson runs a free Facebook group with a couple of hundred members. It’s a hub for nurturing leads, keeping in touch with clients who “graduate” from his programs, and providing ongoing motivation and information.

* Free Community Classes: He hosts a four-part class series with the local library for seniors and also teaches at a local college’s lifelong learning institute. These sessions, called “Reframing Fitness,” are all about providing older adults with actionable, trustworthy fitness information in a world full of bad advice.

* Long-Term Relationships: Most of Jackson’s clients stick around for a year or more. He credits this to getting real results, building strong relationships, and vetting clients well so he can focus on unique, longer-term pain cases.

Assessment Process: Deep Dives for Complex Cases

Jackson’s intake process is super thorough, especially since his clients often have complex medical histories. He digs into:

* Exercise and training background

* Experience with physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, and surgeries (think reconstructions, fusions, nerve ablations)

* Main challenges and goals, like regaining the ability to walk unaided

He’s learned that every client is different - sometimes someone surprises him with unexpected strengths - and a detailed intake conversation is key to understanding where to start.

Continuing Education: Staying Sharp and Up-to-Date

Jackson’s certifications and credentials include:

* Certified Athletic Trainer (licensed in Virginia)

* Master’s in Exercise Science

* Girls Gone Strong Women’s Coaching Specialist

* RPR Level 1 (Reflexive Performance Reset)

* NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist

He keeps learning by:

* Following thought leaders and peers on social media for the latest trends and research

* Subscribing to journals and email newsletters so new studies land right in his inbox

* Relying on his network of friends and colleagues to stay in the loop (especially helpful as a busy dad!)

Final Thoughts

Jackson Lohr is dedicated to helping older adults and those with unique challenges take control of their health and live life on their own terms. He’s a lifelong learner, a passionate soccer fan, and a community builder who’s making a real difference in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/jackson.lohr/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessforlife_jacksonlohr/

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