Retired Nurse Reveals Strength Training Cured Her Osteoporosis Pain

By Jacky On Mar 12, 2023

A retired nurse who struggled to walk and lift heavy objects due to osteoporosis is now virtually pain free after beginning strength training.

Anne Somauroo was forced to take daily medication after being diagnosed with the disease four years ago.

The 65-year-old, from west London, had always been active in her job as a nurse but suddenly had trouble lifting heavy objects and walking due to the painful condition.

In a desperate attempt to try to ease the mounting discomfort, he signed up for Roar Fitness in London, a transformational gym that focuses almost exclusively on lifting heavy weights.

In just a few weeks, Anne found that her pain had lessened and that she could walk up to 12,000 steps a day. She now lifts 100kg weights and has even lost 11kg in the process, which she credits joining the gym as “the best decision she’s ever made”.

Anne Somauroo with Roar PT, Jack Pressling. Working with Jack three to four times a week, the 65-year-old can now enjoy long walks and is no longer in excruciating pain.

Founded by three-time Olympian Sarah Lindsay and her husband Rich Phillipps, Roar’s clients include Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, Graham Norton and Pixie Geldof.

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens the bones, making them brittle and more likely to break.

It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a sudden fall or impact causes a bone to break (fracture).

The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are: wrist fracture, hip fracture (hip fracture), spinal bone fracture (vertebrae).

However, fractures can also occur in other bones, such as in the arm or pelvis.

Sometimes a cough or sneeze can cause a broken rib or a partial collapse of one of the bones in the spine.

Osteoporosis is usually not painful until a bone is broken, but broken bones in the spine are a common cause of long-term pain.

Although a broken bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis, some older people develop the characteristic stooped (forward-leaning) posture.

It occurs when the bones of the spine break, making it difficult to support the weight of the body.

Osteoporosis can be treated with medicines to strengthen the bones.

Fountain: Royal Osteoporosis Society, National Health Service

Anne decided something had to change as her weight slowly increased and the pain began to become unbearable.

Anne told MailOnline: ‘I was diagnosed with osteoporosis three or four years ago and started taking medication for it.

‘Two years ago I told my daughter that I was finally going to find a PT because I didn’t know anything about the gym so I needed someone to show me the ropes.

‘When he suggested Roar, I remembered thinking how the hell I was going to lift weights, because my bones are pretty brittle. Why would someone with osteoporosis lift weights? But she was sick of me and she told me to try.

“I had a right shoulder injury after tearing a tendon years ago, so it was very difficult to lift anything, and very bad pain in my knees.

‘After about 15 minutes of talking to Sarah Lindsay, she sold it to me. I can honestly say it’s the most life changing thing I’ve ever done.

‘Once I start exercising and warming up, the pain goes away, it’s almost strange.

‘Osteoporosis will always be there and although medications slow it down, they will never stop it.

‘What the gym is doing is strengthening the muscles around the joints so they are protected.

Now I’m hooked and being able to lift weights is really phenomenal.

“Now my shoulder is like new and I take 10 to 20,000 steps a day that I couldn’t before because I was in a lot of pain.

‘Strength training is probably one of the best things I’ve chosen to do in my life.

“It just makes me feel better, I feel great when my clothes fit well. It gives me more energy and now I sleep much easier.

‘I wish I had made it younger, but it’s never too late. I’ll keep it unless something stops me. I am retired, I have the time and freedom to do it.

“I would break easily, whereas now there is much more strength in me than ever before.

“That’s what’s so appealing about the gym, it’s osteoporosis relief. I’ll go until my clogs bust.

Anne, 65, is not only fitter and stronger…she can now pull 100kg dumbbells across a track, almost twice her body weight.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society recommends exercising more, rather than less, if you have or are at risk of the condition.

Anne said that while fat loss wasn’t the main goal, it was a ‘bonus’. At 5ft2, she started at 63kg and lost over 11kg, now she is 52kg.

Although she was already at a healthy weight, she followed a high-protein diet, with plenty of carbs and fat to fuel her workouts.

She added: ‘I’ve never been on a diet, but I never would have been able to follow one.

‘Learning about the importance of food and water was a real education, a revelation that changed my whole perspective on life.

‘The meal plan gave me more energy, more vitality.’

For Anne, going to train with Roar PT Jack Pressling three to four times a week became a hobby rather than a chore.

“I’m aware that I have time to go to the gym three or four times a week, not that I’m retired, and I’m sure there are people who can’t do that,” she said.

“But I wish I had the opportunity to do this 15 years ago.

“It can be hard to stick to a fitness program, until you discover that it can really change your life. People do quick fix methods in three months, but for me the goal was longevity, to keep going as long as I can.’

Jack Pressling tests Anne at the Kensington gym three or four times a week

Not only has her mind and body changed, the retiree is enjoying a new lease on life and has become the envy of friends and family.

“My family looks at me and thinks, ‘My God,'” he added. People say I don’t look 65!’

Anne has followed the strength training regimen for two years since signing up in August 2021, training for an hour three to four times a week.

In addition to the gym, eat a high-protein diet with lots of fiber, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, as well as up to three liters of water a day.

Working with PT Jack, she does ‘push and pull’ exercises; a squat machine, leg press and curl, bench press, push-ups and squats, and finish the workout with the weighted sled.

Anne now encourages her friends her age to go weightlifting.

‘Thanks to the staff at Sarah and Rich, you see why people come together. It’s so infectious.

“I think there’s actually a niche for older people who need it the most and have money available, but don’t think about spending it at the gym.”

“They may think they wouldn’t want to go to a gym and don’t know what to do, but that’s why physical therapists are so important. The PT is a break or makes you.

She said: ‘If you follow the plan, you can lose weight without any doubt. It can really be done if you follow what they say.

He Royal Osteoporosis Society advises combining weight-bearing exercise with impact and muscle-strengthening exercises to promote bone and muscle strength.

According to the society, research studies have shown that progressive resistance training is likely the best type of muscle-strengthening exercise for strengthening bones.

Sarah Lindsay told MailOnline: ‘Strength training can help improve bone density, which in turn helps conditions like osteoporosis. As with any disability or condition, the stronger you are, the more stable and agile you will be, and the less likely you are to fall and injure yourself.

“With issues like osteoporosis, recovery can be a real problem when people get hurt, so staying injury-free by doing things like strength training is really helpful.”

Roar Fitness has gyms in London and Dubai, and classes in Kensington and online.

Roar Fitness was founded by three-time Olympian Sarah Lindsay (pictured)

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