Greg Springman, Regional Owner

Live 2 B Healthy, Minnetonka Minnesota

It Started With Grandma

In the mid 1990s Greg’s grandma in southwestern Minnesota was lacking socialization in the care she was receiving. His cousin noted this and vouched that someday he would do something about it. In 2008 the company was founded. The formula is simple: renew older adults’ independence by developing falls prevention through education, fitness, and community.

Hard work pays

In the early 1990s Greg moved to the twin cities from Adrian, Minnesota by way of South Dakota State University with his new exercise science degree in hand. As a personal trainer he put in his years with the big names like Bally’s and Lifetime as well as others. Greg trained several groups of people from business professionals, athletes and housewives to seniors and special needs children. So, in 2010 when the company began growing through franchising Greg was well suited to jump on board and run with it.

Today with fifteen owners across six states there are about 400 Live 2 B Healthy class locations operating regularly. Sites include community centers, senior centers and over 300 senior living communities. In the twin cities alone there are dozens of locations.

Socialization, Simplicity And Assessment Makes The Secret Sauce

The gathering together is the draw and then the approach is very flexible. Accommodations are plentiful so everyone engaging will be successful. Finally, participants are assessed on several measures bi-annually to build a visible track record of improvement.

The benefits are many for the participants from improvements walking and bending to easier breathing, showering and dressing. Then there are those that are able to give up canes and walkers. There are payoffs too for the trainers. Greg says “The seniors speak freely. It’s pretty refreshing!” It’s one of the perks of aging apparently. When asked about any notable memories he laughed “Years ago I remember one woman who, after improving her upper body strength and flexibility, wasn’t shy about telling me how happy she was to be able to put on her bra without help, like she used to!”

A Capstone of Compassion

It became clear in speaking with Greg that he is very compassionate in his work and accepts his participants with whatever it is they come to class with, be it physical or emotional. A gentleman with Parkinson’s recently approached Greg in tears to say how he missed being able to do more with his wife and Greg simply listened and accepted him.

“ Live 2 B Healthy and Greg have served our seniors for over two years. They have become healthier, more physically fit, energized, and positive about their physical health. He goes above and beyond making sure residents have what they need to succeed providing instruction on safely for our Fitness Center equipment and exercises to help define and meet their goals. The residents love him. They also love Sue, who leads seated exercises and yoga. We are so impressed and grateful to them for keeping our residents fit and healthy!”

~Laura Mazhari, Resident Experience Director, Amira Roseville, a 55+ community