Senior Fitness in Hawthorne, New Jersey

NASM-certified trainer Trevor Cassidy brings senior fitness expertise to Hawthorne, New Jersey. In-person and online sessions available.

Trevor Cassidy offers expert senior fitness training for clients in Hawthorne, New Jersey. With 4 NASM certifications and 13+ years of hands-on experience, Trevor designs programs that deliver measurable results — whether you train at a local gym in Hawthorne and the surrounding area or work with him through online coaching. Stay strong, steady, and independent — at every age.

Training in Hawthorne

Hawthorne is a residential borough of about 19,000 in Passaic County with a small-town downtown along Lafayette Avenue and Goffle Road. The borough sits between the higher-end Bergen County communities to the east and the larger Passaic County cities to the west, offering a middle-ground of affordable housing and strong community spirit. Goffle Brook Park runs through the center of town along the brook, providing a green spine for recreation and outdoor fitness with walking paths, ball fields, and picnic areas.

Popular Training Venues

  • Goffle Brook Park
  • Hawthorne Municipal Fields
  • Louis Bay 2nd Park
  • Rea Field

Hawthorne is a working-class and middle-class community with strong family values and active youth sports programs in baseball, football, and soccer. Clients here are often parents in their 30s to 50s who want to set a healthy example for their kids, or former high school athletes looking to recapture their fitness after years away from structured training. Late afternoon and early evening sessions (4 to 6:30 PM) are the busiest times.

Key Benefits

Preserved and Improved Strength

Adults lose approximately 3-5% of their muscle mass per decade after age 30, accelerating after 60. Resistance training reverses this trend, rebuilding strength that makes daily tasks — climbing stairs, carrying bags, getting out of a chair — feel easy again.

Dramatically Reduced Fall Risk Through Proprioception Training

Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over 65. Trevor programs targeted proprioception work — balance on unstable surfaces, single-leg stance progressions, reactive balance drills, and lateral movement patterns — that train your nervous system to respond quickly and keep you upright on subway platforms, icy sidewalks, and uneven terrain.

Stronger Bones Through Progressive Resistance

Weight-bearing exercise and resistance training stimulate osteoblast activity, slowing bone density loss and potentially increasing bone mineral density by 1-3% annually. This is especially critical for postmenopausal women and anyone with osteopenia or osteoporosis risk factors. Trevor programs exercises that load the skeleton progressively and safely.

Greater Independence and Confidence

Strength and balance training directly preserves your ability to live independently — shopping, cooking, traveling, playing with grandchildren — without relying on others for physical tasks. Clients report feeling more confident and capable within weeks.

Improved Cognitive Health

Emerging research links regular resistance training to improved cognitive function, reduced dementia risk, and better mood in older adults. Physical strength and mental sharpness are more connected than most people realize.

Our Methodology

Trevor's senior fitness programs prioritize progressive overload within the context of age-appropriate exercise selection and recovery timelines. Training typically begins with machine-based and supported exercises that provide stability while building baseline strength. As competence and confidence grow, clients graduate to free-weight movements — goblet squats, dumbbell presses, supported rows — that challenge balance and coordination in addition to raw strength.

Every session includes four components: a thorough warm-up with joint mobility work, balance and stability training, resistance exercises targeting the major muscle groups, and a cool-down with flexibility work. Fall prevention is woven throughout — not as a separate module, but as an integrated part of every exercise selection and progression decision. Rest periods are longer, load increases are more gradual, and communication about how exercises feel is constant. Safety is never compromised for intensity. NASM-certified trainer Trevor Cassidy follows NASM's Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model, which uses 5 progressive phases that are especially well-suited for older adults — starting with stabilization endurance before progressing to strength training, so every client builds a safe foundation first.

How It Works

1

Health History Review & Physical Assessment

Trevor reviews your medical history, medications, and any physician recommendations before training begins. A physical assessment evaluates your current strength, balance, mobility, and functional movement capacity to establish safe starting points.

2

Individualized Senior Training Program

Your program is built around your current abilities, health considerations, and goals. Exercise selection prioritizes functional movements that improve daily life activities, with clear progressions planned for each movement over multiple weeks.

3

Supervised Training Sessions

In-person sessions with Trevor provide hands-on guidance, safety spotting, and real-time feedback. You will learn proper breathing, bracing, and movement mechanics for every exercise — building the competence to eventually train with confidence.

4

Ongoing Assessment & Gradual Progression

Trevor reassesses your strength, balance, and mobility regularly, progressing your program at a pace that challenges you without exceeding your recovery capacity. The goal is steady, sustainable improvement over months and years.

5

Independence-Building Education

Over time, Trevor teaches you the principles behind your program so you can maintain your fitness between sessions and make smart exercise choices on your own. Many senior clients eventually transition to semi-independent training with periodic check-ins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to start strength training at 65 or older?
Yes, and the <a href="https://www.acsm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)</a> specifically recommends resistance training for older adults. Starting at 65 or later is not just safe — it is one of the most impactful things you can do for your health. Adults who strength train 2-3 times per week reduce all-cause mortality risk by 23% (<a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/13/755" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022</a>). Trevor starts every senior client with a thorough health history review and physical assessment, then builds a gradual program that prioritizes safety at every stage.
I have arthritis. Can I still do strength training?
In most cases, yes. The <a href="https://www.acsm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ACSM</a> and the <a href="https://www.arthritis.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arthritis Foundation</a> both support moderate resistance training for people with osteoarthritis — research shows it reduces joint pain and improves function. Trevor selects exercises that load the muscles around affected joints without aggravating symptoms, and adjusts range of motion as needed. Always consult your physician first, and bring any exercise recommendations to your initial assessment.
How often should seniors train with weights?
Two to three sessions per week is optimal, with at least one rest day between sessions. The ACSM recommends this frequency for older adults because it provides enough stimulus for strength and bone density improvements while allowing adequate recovery. Functional training at this frequency reduces fall risk by 30-40% (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23314757/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cadore et al., 2013</a>). Trevor builds programs that match your schedule and energy levels within these evidence-based guidelines.
Is Goffle Brook Park good for training?
Yes, Goffle Brook Park is excellent for outdoor training. It has a paved walking path of about three-quarters of a mile, open fields, and playground areas. The park runs through central Hawthorne, so most residents are within a 5-minute drive. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to use it.
Do you train former athletes in Hawthorne?
Yes, Several of my Hawthorne clients have an athletic background. I design programs that respect what your body used to do while addressing the reality of years away from structured training. Most former athletes regain a solid fitness base within 8 to 10 weeks when training twice a week consistently.

Client Results

“Trevor is the best in the business. He is incredibly knowledgeable, motivating, and genuinely cares about his clients' progress. Every session is challenging but structured perfectly. I've seen results I never thought possible.”

James S.

Start Senior Fitness in Hawthorne

Book a free consultation with NASM-certified trainer Trevor Cassidy to discuss your goals and get started with a personalized program.