There’s a particular kind of frustration that comes with loving movement… but no longer being able to move the way you used to. Doreen knows that feeling too well.
At 66 years young, she has been active her whole life. Movement wasn’t just exercise, it was part of who she was. But over the years, injuries began to stack up: Osteoarthritic knees, hip issues, neck and shoulder pain.
Then in September 2023, a slip in the bathroom caused a lower body injury that stopped her from doing any cardio at all.
“I couldn’t raise my heart rate without pain.”
For someone used to being active, not being able to get her heart rate up to 120–130 bpm without triggering pain was incredibly frustrating. Every attempt to do some cardio felt like a risk. Every workout came with painful consequences the next day.
She was slowing down, not because she wanted to, but because her body wouldn’t cooperate.
Then her physiotherapist recommended The Ripple Club and she hasn’t looked back since!
“Now I try to join classes twice a week”
Doreen started attending classes in September 2024. She tried two formats: Signature and Circuit, but Signature quickly became her favourite.
Why? Because it gives her everything she was missing, safely.
HIIT segments to elevate her heart rate, spinning for lower body strength and endurance and strength training for upper body.
All in all it was a perfect combination: a full-body workout without the joint stress.
“Finally, I could do cardio without fear”
One of the biggest shifts for Doreen isn’t just physical. It’s psychological. “With TRC, I can do a very decent cardio program without fear of injuring my knee, hip, neck or shoulder.”
Fear of aggravating injuries can quietly hold people back for years. Being in the water changes that equation. It reduces load on the joints while still allowing intensity.
And here’s something she loves: there’s no pressure to keep up.
If the instructor cues to stand up while cycling, she can stay seated because she knows her knees too well. And that’s perfectly okay. Everyone goes at their own pace and gives their best. And if something doesn’t feel right? The instructors offer alternatives. No judgement.
Just movement that feels good!
The unexpected benefits
Since joining, Doreen has noticed: better sleep, feeling more relaxed, mentally and physically and looking and feeling better overall.
Class sizes are small and instructors know everyone by name. The energy is high, the laughter is real, and the atmosphere is warm. “It’s serious exercise… without taking yourself too seriously.”
“Only good can come out of attending a TRC class.”
Before Ripple, her osteopath and TCM physician had encouraged her to exercise in the water. She tried swimming — it aggravated her neck and hip. She tried walking in the water and quickly decided she’d save that for her 80s. She needed something effective, challenging and structured. The Ripple Club was the missing piece.
Her words say it best:
“TRC classes are for the young, the not so young, the fit, the less fit, those with and without injuries. Only good can come out of attending a TRC class. Just make sure you tell the instructors how your body feels!”
If Doreen Can, Why Not You?
You don’t have to give up cardio because of your knees.
You don’t have to accept slowing down as inevitable.
You don’t have to choose between intensity and safety.
Doreen is back to raising her heart rate, doing strength and cardio confidently.
If you’ve been looking for a way to move that respects your body while challenging it…
Maybe The Ripple Club might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for. 💙