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Name and age: Sabrina Jones, 47 years old

Occupation: Owner, Movher

My favorite exercise at FGF: Wall Balls/Slams. Even though I run out of breath during this exercise, I can get a lot of them in before I feel like I need to rest.

My least favorite exercise at FGF is: Box Jumps. Holy cow, was I ever frightened to do these when I first started! Did they not know how uncoordinated I was?! And although it’s still my least favorite exercise, I can do them pretty darned well, so bring ‘em on!

Tell us about your fitness journey.

Being active has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. Growing up on a farm on the Palouse gave me numerous opportunities for that, whether it was chasing cows, bucking bales of hay, playing with my three sisters, or running lunch out to my dad on the combine.

I was active throughout high school in basketball, volleyball and track, attempted to join the women’s college basketball team at EWU but didn’t make the cut. To continue to my love for the game, I officiated basketball games in Minnesota, Montana, Utah and Washington for 9 years. As my two own kids were growing up, I spent more time in the bleachers watching them love the sport as much as I did (and still do!). My exercise regimen turned to running, which I’m not very good at and quite honestly, don’t like very much. But it was easy to do while my kids were still sleeping!

After being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years, I accepted a full-time job at Gonzaga University, which gave me access to the school’s fitness center. It was a great opportunity to explore other areas of fitness, including free weights and classes. I also ran across a book written by a female physician, Pamela Peeke, called Fit for Life for Women, and it totally resonated with me. She emphasized the importance of resistance training and a healthy diet. Sounded like “good sense” to me, so I dedicated 12 weeks of my life exercising and eating exactly as the book had suggested — and boy, did it work! I lost 15 pounds but more importantly, I truly FELT so much better! Watching what I ate and changing up my exercise routine made all the difference in the world. This was about 8 years ago and today, while I’m not nearly as regimented as I was back then, I still adhere to the basic principles in that book and enjoy feeling GREAT.

If you could tell your Farmgirlfit story in 100 words or less, how would it read?

Scared. To. Death. Hey, I’m not 25 years old anymore, but I still enjoy being in shape and pushing myself to stay that way. I knew this place would be a challenge. I do exercises there that I otherwise would never do. And it’s awesome! While I knew I was in “decent” shape, this place has helped me get even better. I’ve never been so sore after a workout as I have been after one of their classes! But now my body has figured it out and getting used to the “punishment.” It’s pretty incredible to push yourself further than you think you can go, and even more amazing when you’ve realized that you did it.

What has been your greatest fitness (performance) accomplishment so far? Do you have a performance goal?

Double-unders! Prior to joining FGF, one of my regular workouts was to jump rope for 30 minutes once a week with a weighted jump rope. So to come into FGF and seeing double-unders on the board with a speed rope was something completely different! It took a long time for me to “get it,” but one day I finally did! I couldn’t believe it. Next goal? Kipping those damn pull-ups. I’ll get it!

How has FGF helped you become more healthy / When it comes to your health, what goals do you have?

FGF has helped me continue the importance of a healthy lifestyle, not only through their workouts, but through the “on-the-side” activities they have such as their recent Sugar-Free Challenge. They see the importance of both exercise and diet; both go hand-in-hand. My own goals for my health are to be as healthy as I can at the age I am at, and continue to do that for as long as I can.

My favorite thing about Farmgirlfit is:

The people. The people who work there, the people who come to work OUT there. It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s something so different than anything else here in Spokane, and we are fortunate to have it here. And the fact that it’s just for women – that’s pretty awesome, too. We have conversations that might be a tad bit awkward to have around guys.

How have you integrated the Farmgirlfit mission outside of the gym?

Well, it’s not like I’m lunging down the sidewalk or anything, but I tell other women about FGF all the time and that they should check it out. I think it’s too easy for people to talk themselves out of a workout. But really, when you think about it, it’s one hour of your day. And when you think about what you do the rest of the day, is one hour really that much? No. That one hour makes you feel better about yourself, gives you a better outlook on the day ahead, and makes you proud that you got off your butt and did it. So hey – go do it!

When you’re not pumping iron at FGF, what does the rest of your life look like?

I am the owner of Movher, the best moving company here in Spokane! We hire college athletes as our movers because they know the importance of being in shape and know how to work as a team. We take something that most people can’t stand (moving) and make it as fun as we possibly can. We are expanding the company into the TriCities this year, so I will be on the road a lot!

I am also a mom to two amazing “kids.” My son Evan is a 6-foot-9 sophomore at the University of Washington, and my daughter Emily is 6-feet tall and will graduate from high school this June and join her brother at the UW this fall. Go Huskies! And oh yes, I’m engaged to a man who believes in always having fresh flowers for me, opens my car door, and generally supports me in everything I do. So, hey, life is pretty good.

Any advice for new members, or your fellow Farmgirls?

Stick with it. Perseverance pays off in everything you do.