Vancouver Fitness, Injury Rehabilitation | Testimonials

Fascial Stretch Therapy™

“I have never been stretched or stretched on my own the way that Alfred does during our Fascial Stretch Therapy Sessions. I use these sessions as part of my recovery because I am training hard as I work towards my dream of winning the Olympics for Skicross. With my goal, I know that I have to be very selective of who I work with. I'm so fortunate to have Alfred and Lifemoves on my team.”

“I use the stretchband to improve my recovery time so that I can get back out there and train 'harder, better, faster' than my competition. They really do work.”

“I have had heel spurs for several years that I didn't know were impacting my skiing. I now have more freedom in my ankles so I can react more quickly to my competitors and the snow. The heel spurs are not as painful and are even softening. Thank you Alfred and Lifemoves for helping me become the best Ski Cross Racer in the World.”

“I feel like I am working on specific goals/areas. I notice a difference in my body as a result of the stretch sessions and Alfred’s various stretching suggestions that I could do on my own at home or after a run.”

“I have been working with Alfred for 4 months now. My skating coach Lorna Bauer found the Stretch to Win® program for me through Stephie Davis, in Alberta, who also has her Fascial Stretch Therapy™ certification. Stephie referred me to Alfred. He has helped me become more flexible, and has also helped me stay free of injury as I train pretty intensely 5 days a week.”

“I sought the assistance of a Lifemoves® Kinesiologist due to chronic back pain from a car accident in 1987. I feel so much better after the Fascial Stretch Therapy session. I normally visit a chiropractor every 3-4 weeks; I have made one visit to a chiropractor in the last four months.

I was given proper instruction with weight machines I should be using and shown stretches to target a specific area.”

“My husband referred me to Alfred, whom I found kind and considerate. The stretching sessions help reduce the pain and stiffness I have from Parkinson’s”

Active Rehabilitation

"I have found our sessions to be excellent. I was suffered a career ending knee injury in soccer and have since had several surgeries. I feel as though I am progressing at steady pace, faster than I thought I would. I am now able to run with confidence."

"With the help of Alfred I have improved my posture, increased strength in my left shoulder and arm. Without the help and encouragement I would still be suffering pain in my shoulders. I have also started to work towards reducing fat content and increasing cardio."

Adapted Physical Activity

"I am a quadriplegic and therefore very challenging client; my trainer has made this challenge with great success. Because of capacity to innovate, experiment and tailor my program to my unique situation with excellent results. During our sessions Alfred has shown that he is caring, professional, courteous and knowledgeable. I now have increased flexibility, suppleness and strength."

"My thirteen year old daughter has cerebral palsy. Alfred is always checking to make sure that she is safe and feels well because she can sometimes tire easily. She always laughing and having fun during their sessions. The balance, co-ordination and gait work that he has been doing with her has allowed her to use her crutches less often. Her reflexes have improved so that she isn't falling as much. I was originally only going to get her started into personal training, but now myself and my son are also working with Alfred to reach our own fitness goals."

Brain Injuries

“I chose a Kinesiologist because they have more qualifications to assist someone with the rehabilitation of a long term disability (LTD), such as the effects of an aneurysm I had in 1985. Lifemoves® was also located in Fitness World, the gym I already use.

“From my point of view, I have seen vastly improved strength, balance and general abilities plus regeneration of abilities formerly lost to a TBI. Alfred always has fresh solutions any going challenges.”

Fibromyalgia

“After suffering another physical setback due to fibromyalgia, I was referred to Alfred for rehab training. He started me with exercises and stretches to correct my posture alignment and not too long after, I was able to enjoy resistance training again.

I still suffer setbacks, but I bounce back much faster with Alfred’s encouragement. He is very knowledgeable and technical, everything you expect from a Kinesiologist. I look forward to training under his guidance for many years. Thank you, Alfred for listening and for supporting me. You keep me motivated. I couldn’t have got this far without you!”

Heart Conditions

“I have had a fitness club Membership for nearly 20 years but not used it much for 6 or 7 years and had never used a Personal Trainer. I have two pre-school boys and my days are long and mentally exhausting. A serious heart arrhythmia in 2007 made me realize that I needed professional help for my rehabilitation. I was frankly skeptical of real gains. The varying regime that Alfred sets for sessions provides a re-focus and drains away the stress. I am surprised at what my older body can accomplish and I feel more energized at the end than the beginning.

After two months of endlessly inventive (and often humourous) sessions the results speak for themselves. I have seen very significant improvements in my cardio fitness, my stamina and core strength, not to mention balance, reaction time and energy level.”

Osteoarthritis

“With an arthritic hip inducing compromised motion and discomfort, I engaged Alfred to customize a fitness program for myself. In the course of our sessions he carried out my mandate with a strong degree of professionalism, sympathy and effectiveness”

Parkinson’s Disease

“I initially contacted Alfred in October 2007, because I needed help with restoring my sense of balance and my fitness level, both of which had deteriorated as a result of Parkinson's disease. I inquired about the availability of such expertise within the Fitness World facility in North Vancouver where I am a member. They directed me to Alfred.

Alfred pushes me to do more and more, but has a friendly demeanor and encourages me with compliments and a "you can do it" attitude. He doesn't shout at me or demean my less-than-stellar efforts.

As a result I have seen my balance, stamina and strength gradually improve. I started out barely being able to walk at a speed of 2 1/2 miles per hour, but now can walk at 3 1/2 mph and run at 5 mph for 8 or 9 minutes out of 20 minutes at grade of 1% on the treadmill. This may not seem like much to the healthy 30-year-old, but for me at age 76, I feel it is real progress.

Also my muscles have grown stronger so that my posture is better and I can lift heavier weights. My sense of balance has also improved a little. I work out regularly ( 3 times per week including the session with Alfred), golf 2 or 3 times per week walking and pulling a cart for 18 holes and get other exercise by going for walks over the hilly terrain near my home and working in my garden.

Of course, my medications for Parkinson's are extremely important and my physical improvement with exercise would not have been possible without them. In short, taking my medications and exercising regularly (the latter under Alfred's guidance) have made a great difference to how I feel.”

Pilates

"In just the first four sessions I have found my posture improve dramatically. I was hunched over from playing the piano all the time and now I am more balanced."

"After our first session I felt that I was taller. I left feeling more relaxed, confident and energized. It is amazing and subtle."

Rheumatoid Arthritis

“I feel taller, and I do have more energy. I thoroughly enjoy learning how to use the equipment, and have learned not to tell you that I find it easy, when I do you increase the weights. I am hoping that this training will equip me with the tools needed should I get another attack of arthritis, and if I do, I believe I will be stronger and more able to cope. I will also seek your help immediately.

I have quite a few sessions left but even when these are completed, I would hope to book more sessions as I believe a Kinesiologists’ knowledge will aid me for the future years. I enjoy Alfred’s sense of humour and am so happy I have you as my personal trainer.”

Sports Conditioning

“I was referred to Alfred two years ago by my husband who had been a client of Alfred’s for a year. He spoke very positively about Alfred and had trained successfully for half- marathons with him.

I feel like I am working on specific goals/areas. Alfred definitely individualizes each workout for each client. Alfred has a very open, positive approach to personal training. We did weight training and stretch sessions and Alfred also put together a running program developed for my specific needs and abilities. I feel more confident running as I feel the weight training improved my running ability.”

"Last season I injured my neck and I wasn't sure if I was going to play again. Alfred has helped me overcome this injury and increase my confidence so that I can play again. After not skating for so long I was surprised to hit the ice and feel as confident as I was. I had compliments on how well I was playing and the great contribution I was making to the team."

"I am feeling much better and have more energy. I am getting stronger and improving my ability to skateboard with higher ollies (jumps). I have greatly improved my cardio and have had less stress plaguing my day. I am really excited about what I've accomplished in 8 weeks."

Shoulder & Rotator Cuff Injuries

“I contacted Lifemoves® due to rotator cuff problems and lack of feeling and numbness of the toes. I know Alfred spent time doing research into areas of my problems as he came up with specific exercises to deal with my problems.

The symptoms of rotator cuff injuyr have been reduced by 90 percent following the prescribed exercises. The numbness in my feet persist, but the ball trigger point therapy do result in some relief.”

“I have been a client of Alfred Ball, Kinesiologist for approximately 4 years now. I originally wanted to work out with a personal trainer as I had on going shoulder problems which were not resolving and I did not want to just accept this. I am a member of Fitness World and when I decided to begin with a trainer it was suggested that a Kinesiologist would be a good place to start.

He had the knowledge and experience to help me. During the earlier workout sessions Alfred guided and encouraged me towards my goal of a pain free shoulder while making the sessions fun.

I feel good about working out with Alfred and appreciate his encouragement and experience during the sessions. Exercise is fun when you know what you are doing.

Setting and achieving goals is a large part of this, and working out with Alfred is part of this process for me. I get great encouragement and motivation from our workout sessions; it actually is the shortest hour of the day.”

“I was referred to Alfred by my wife, a Pilates client of his since 2005. In less than five months, the stretches and exercises have thawed my frozen shoulder and increased my mobility and strength. I am also noticing better tone and appearance.”

Total Joint Replacements

“Alfred Ball was very knowledgeable especially since I was recovering from hip surgery.
He has a very caring way about making sure that I did not go beyond my limits during this recovery time. I would certainly recommend him.”

“I sought the help of a Kinesiologist at the suggestion of my physiotherapist to help me return to Golf and strength from a hip replacement and Golfer’s Elbow. I found his instructions to be very good. My strength improved quicker than expected with the weight training.”