In 2016, Bailey started out as a clinical massage therapist. Although she is trained in a wide variety of massage modalities, Bailey was frustrated that her clients were not experiencing lasting results with massage and stretching alone. She began looking for more resources. In a “Couch to CrossFit” class, Bailey realized that her own hypermobility and lack of stability made many movements difficult. She couldn’t increase the weight on the barbell until she stabilized her joints. As she began developing the necessary stability, she noticed lifting weight became easier.
Then she started regularly weight training. Bailey began noticing the subtle changes in her body. Daily pain from a physical job disappeared. She was had more energy. She slept better. And she moved better.
That’s when Bailey began advocating exercise to clients. In addition to clients stretching, they were now strengthening and stabilizing muscles. These exercises helped to correct systemic dysfunctions. As they did their bodyweight and lightweight exercises, they noticed the same changes Bailey did. Their back pain disappeared. Their chronic headaches decreased. They felt stronger. As clients reported back, Bailey began finding more movements to add to their daily routines, not only strength and stability but functionality.
Nearly all clients are given burpees and squats modified to their ability and reevaluated at each session. “I use to think burpees were awful but then it hit me why they’re important. It’s the movement that you need if you fall in order to get up. This is especially important to our aging population. I also recommend squats so that clients can continue to use the bathroom in privacy. If you can’t perform a bodyweight squat, eventually you will need someone to help you get on and off the toilet.”
Although personal training is not regulated in South Carolina, Bailey is working with the National Academy of Sports Medicine to become certified. “When we do movement assessment and I see that the posterior chain is weak, I start them doing deadlifts. As their needs grow, I want to grow with them. It’s incredibly rewarding to have 70+ year old clients deadlifting regularly because they’re no longer in pain. They see the benefits of what we are doing.”
While Bailey is advocating functional wellness to clients, she is also leading by example. She takes time every week to train her own body’s weaknesses and develop endurance. Her favorite movements are deadlifts, cleans, squats, and anything on the Assault Bike. One of her 2020 goals is to bike 26,000 calories along with several athletes.
In addition to promoting functional fitness locally, Bailey has joined the Atlantic Grid League to make functional fitness a team sport.