Mannon Motion, Ltd. Co. and The Jungle Gym
Sierra County's FIRST and ONLY COMPLETE Physical Therapy and Fitness Facility
Success Stories
Mike Kmatz
Mike Kmatz quit smoking 34 years ago after hiking Diamond Head in Oahu, Hawaii; he sat on the grass at the bottom of the mountain and said "no more lighting up." He added exercise to his life in 1993 then retired in 1995 exchanging a stressful position at Sandia Labs with that of being an Amateur Bass Tournament Fisherman. Now he exercises, only in the morning, five days a week, generally around 6:30AM, because he says it "wakes him up, gets him going, strengthens his body, helps him control weight, and makes him feel better all day." On Monday and Wednesday he concentrates on upper body toning using free weights then sets aside Tuesday and Thursday for lower body strength training using the machines. He begins each workout by giving the stationary bike and treadmill equal time of twenty minutes. On Friday he does "freelance" exercise, which he describes as working with weights without a specific plan. At 67 years of age, Mike has had three stents inserted in his arteries and is taking cholesterol-lowering medicine; however, he readily admits that if it weren't for exercise his heart problems would be worse and his cholesterol would be even higher. Mike eats what he wants proclaiming, "Exercise is more important than diet because consistent exercise burns calories." Mike's goal is to use the Jungle Gym for continued toning, heart health and overall well-being that will take him far into the future.
Jerry Kloeppell
Jerry Kloeppell played four major sports throughout his high school and college career; later in life he suffered numerous serious back, shoulder and leg injuries in a Jeeping accident and then had a total knee replacement eighteen months ago. At 56 years of age, Jerry took early retirement and quickly became bored and agitated, so he joined the Jungle Gym to basically fill time and relieve stress. Soon he set additional goals to lose weight, increase endurance and stamina, and build muscle strength, especially in his shoulders, back and legs, by lifting weights three times a week; for cardio, he walks. Jerry has lost 26 pounds in six months and states that he eats and sleeps better, has more energy and endurance, a better attitude, and with a chuckle said, "I even interact with my gym mates with civility!" He then adds, "The Jungle Gym in this small community is a god-send because I would basically be inactive without it. Retirement is good but is not enough. Activity leads to physical and mental well being which offers an inner strength." Jerry plans to lose more weight and continues to improve his healthier lifestyle by increasing his fitness activity at the gym.
Mario Maez
Mario Maez follows a tight schedule with his multiple local businesses that focus on real estate, finances and rentals. He worried about what others thought of him as an out of shape thirty-five year old businessman, so he joined the Jungle Gym to fulfill his New Years Resolution to become more self-confident through losing weight and getting in shape. He has missed only eight days in the last fifteen weeks and emphatically states exercise is so much a part of his daily routine that when he misses a session, it really messes up his day. His daily routine includes a two mile run plus he sets aside 6 AM each day to work on particular muscle groups with extra emphasis on cardio moves such as the elliptical machine on Friday's. Mario readily admits he has less stress, more energy, and a better overall attitude and mood. Even though he has lost 28 pounds in less than four months, he wants to meet future goals of increasing the amount of weight and repetitions to build his chest and legs and to lose seven more pounds. He then plans to maintain his lifestyle in a healthy manner. He ends by saying, "stick with an exercise plan because it supports and sustains a good mood, which in turn makes you feel better about yourself."
Shelley Morgan
Shelley Morgan is 5'1", 35 years of age, married, one son, 11 years old. Shelly works full time at Ben Archer Family Clinic in patient records. Her duties include delivering patient records between clinics, which demands a lot of walking. Shelly woke one morning with pain as usual and said "I am too young to feel so damn old." She suffered from long term lower back pain, had no energy and was overweight; she wanted to be pain free, gain mobility and lose weight so she worked six weeks with a Mannon Motion-Jungle Gym physical therapist to address her back problem, to learn how to gain strength and lose weight; she worked hard with the physical therapist, committed to a physical fitness routine, joined Weight Watchers and lost 17 pounds in eight weeks. Today, Shelley fits exercise three times a week into her tight schedule. For cardio strength, she uses the stationary bike and elliptical machine; she uses weight machines for resistance and body strength exercises and includes ab work with each workout. Shelley stated she now has pain free days, more energy and hasn't felt this good in years. Her husband and son enjoy her being a different person and are supportive of her efforts. They compliment her willpower and future goals which are to lose 43 more pounds, be able to ride her horse free of back pain and be able to lift her leg high enough to get in the stirrup without her hip and back giving out. She plans to include exercise in her daily routine for the betterment of her health and that of her family far into the future. Her eyes glow as she shares her desire to ride horses with her eleven-year old son. Her departing words are "Never give up."
Chuck and Pam Looney
Chuck and Pam Looney are both 65 years of age and married with grown children; neither had ever been in a gym. Chuck stayed in shape by riding his bicycle to work for at least twenty years, but as a retiree, he listened to a neighbor who recommended the Jungle Gym. Chuck wanted to tone, increase his range of motion and lose weight, so he set a routine to include cardio exercises two days a week with a concentration on weights the other three days; he continually works hard to gain flexibility, endurance, and overall physical and emotional strength. Pam had total knee replacement simultaneously on both knees that required physical therapy, which she sought at Mannon Motion/Jungle Gym. Her goal after surgery was to walk again meaning she had to relearn the skill because she dragged her left leg and couldn't lift it for safe mobility. Pam followed through with consistent exercise after physical therapy ended including Yoga which made her more aware of the value of breathing properly thus leading her to become more flexible. Today, Pam fits exercise into her life five days a week. For cardio, she uses the stationary bike and elliptical machine then uses weights for building strength, plus she walks four miles three times a week. Pam states exercise including Yoga has led her to slow down and concentrate on the task at hand and then adds that her balance, coordination, flexibility and alertness are much stronger. Through her Yoga experience she became certified to teach the art twice a week at the Jungle Gym and with a smile adds that doing "stuff" at the gym keeps her interested in her health and overall physical and emotional well being. She leaves us with this advice: Stay moving. Exercise every day. Take a walk. Chuck states that he now has more stamina for early morning fishing trips, more energy throughout the day, and a long-lasting positive attitude. His goal is to keep exercising everyday for as long as his body allows and with a grin states: Maintain a positive attitude toward exercise and regularly come to the gym. Gym mates of Chuck and Pam will be counting on them for continued inspiration.