In-Home Personal Training for Thunder Bay Seniors: What to Know Before Starting
December 15, 2025
Thunder Bay’s Growing Senior Population & the Need for Safe, At-Home Training
Did you know that in Thunder Bay, more than one in five residents is aged 65 or older? As our community ages, the demand for safe, accessible fitness and mobility support grows especially for those who want to stay independent at home.
I’m Melissa Gunstone, founder of HomeStretch. Over many years working with older adults across Canada, I've seen how quickly strength, balance, and mobility can decline when proper support is missing and how powerful the right exercise and guidance can be for reversing that decline.
Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to Frank, our dedicated Thunder Bay kinesiologist. He’s a graduate of Lakehead University, with years of clinical experience, and now brings in-home personal training and fall-prevention support to seniors throughout Thunder Bay through HomeStretch Active Living.
Meet Frank, Thunder Bay’s Local Kinesiologist for Seniors
Frank recently joined HomeStretch to help seniors in Thunder Bay access safe, effective exercise and mobility training. His background gives him the ideal skill set to support older adults rebuilding strength, balance, and confidence after injury, surgery, or simply age-related decline.
He’s currently working on bringing our signature senior fitness programs to local community hubs including the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, the local Royal Canadian Legion branches, and the Canada Games Complex with the aim of offering structured, guided sessions for seniors who prefer group settings, while still being tailored by a kinesiologist.
What Kinesiology Means for Seniors, A Conversation
Here’s a short interview with Frank, followed by my reflections.
Melissa: “What is something that has stuck with you from your kinesiology degree that you now use with your clients?”
Frank: “I think the biggest thing that stood out to me … was the knowledge of exercise throughout our lifespan … and really the importance of building a foundation … and that even as we continue to age … we can adapt our activity to our current abilities … that can increase our overall health, our longevity … just because we're getting older doesn't mean we stop doing what we want to do.”
I completely agree with Frank. That mindset of adapting and evolving with age rather than giving up is at the heart of why HomeStretch exists. Many of our clients are not looking for intense workouts: they want to walk safely, maintain independence, climb stairs without fear, and reduce fall risk. Consistent, well-designed movement can do exactly that.
Melissa: “Why did you choose HomeStretch? And in particular, what makes you want to work with older adults?”
Frank: “I really respect and value … this idea of giving this population of seniors … a solid chance at finding their place in the world of exercise … an individualized program that gives them control or independence over their physical activity … Not just a cookie-cutter ‘one-hour fall prevention class,’ but a program that puts them in the driver's seat and gives them knowledge of what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. … I’ve seen firsthand … the value … what it does for their overall health, their mood … mental health as well … It’s needed in our community for sure.”
This is one of the biggest differences with HomeStretch. Too many senior exercise options are generic or volunteer-led, with no individual assessment, no progression plan, and no regard for each person's unique history. With in-home kinesiology, we evaluate movement, balance, strength, and home safety then design a plan tailored to each individual’s needs, abilities, and goals.
Melissa: “If you have a unique approach to training … what is it? What is your training philosophy?”
Frank: “I always try to keep people in as much control as possible of their exercise. I have the knowledge ... but I want their feedback. People’s feedback and their goals drive what we work on. … If it’s meaningful to the person … they’re probably going to like it more … they’ll do better than someone with a less individualized program … someone who doesn’t feel as in control.”
I couldn’t agree more. When seniors feel ownership and understand the “why” behind their exercises, compliance goes up and so do results. That’s why we always involve clients in the planning process, adjust as we go, and encourage feedback.
Melissa: “What separates our fall-prevention programs from the generic free programs being offered in the area?”
Frank: “It’s the education. We don’t just tell people to do exercises we explain what fall prevention really is, why movement matters for the brain and balance system as we age, how to improve it, and the best way to progress. Whether it’s one-to-one or in a master class, letting people give feedback and tailoring the routine to what they need or want makes a huge difference.”
This educational component is a core part of what we do. It’s not enough to give someone a list of exercises. Seniors deserve to know why each movement helps, how to correct their technique, and how to safely progress over time. That knowledge empowers them not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Melissa: “What’s your advice to a senior curious about in-home personal training with you?”
Frank: “Give yourself the best possible chance to try something new and be open to having a conversation with us. Maybe you haven’t even gotten out of your chair in years but there's still benefit to moving in an organized way. There are incredible health benefits. Don’t think you’re too far gone or way ahead. Give yourself the opportunity to see if it can benefit you.”
That’s powerful, and I want every senior reading this to hear it directly from me: it’s never too late.
Watch the full interview with Kinesiologist, Frank below
Why We Do This Work, A Broader Mission for Seniors and Canadian Kinesiologists
At HomeStretch, our vision goes beyond individual clients. We believe in creating a movement one where older adults across Canada have access to safe, professional, effective in-home personal training; where kinesiologists are recognized for their specialized expertise; and where we work together to reduce ER visits, falls, and loss of independence among older populations.
Too often, seniors are redirected to overcrowded clinics, long waitlists, or generic “senior exercise” classes that fail to meet their needs. We want to change that. By offering personalized, evidence-based programs, tailored to each individual, we aim to empower seniors to stay active, confident, and safe.
And for Canadian kinesiologists, we’re working to show the value of what you do. Your training matters. Your knowledge, about mobility, strength, aging bodies, balance systems, and safe progression helps older adults preserve independence. This is more than a job. It’s a calling, a movement, and we’re honoured to lead it through HomeStretch.
In-Home Training in Thunder Bay, What’s Coming Next
We’re actively planning to bring our senior-fitness and fall-prevention programs to key community hubs across Thunder Bay, including:
The Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, a central venue for recreational and wellness activities for older adults.
Local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, community-based locations familiar to many older adults.
The Canada Games Complex, a city-owned facility that can host fitness and mobility classes.
Our goal is to provide accessible, affordable, and professionally supervised movement programs that blend the social benefits of group programs with the quality and oversight of kinesiology.
If you are part of one of these organizations, or know someone who is, and think seniors in your network would benefit, please get in touch. We’d love to help set up something in your community.
Why Thunder Bay Seniors Benefit Most from In-Home Exercise
High need. With approximately 22% of Thunder Bay’s population aged 65 or older, there’s a significant portion of the community that can benefit from professionally guided mobility and fall prevention.
Accessibility. Northern winters, icy sidewalks, and limited transportation can make it difficult for many older adults to travel, especially if balance or mobility is already reduced. In-home personal training removes those barriers.
Individualization. Generic classes don’t account for joint replacements, past injuries, chronic conditions, or personal comfort levels. With a kinesiologist, exercises are tailored, safe, and scalable.
Education + Empowerment. Seniors learn what to do, why they do it, and how to progress, not just follow along randomly. That knowledge promotes long-term adherence and safer movement.
Prevention & Independence. Regular, guided movement reduces fall risk, improves balance, strengthens muscles, and keeps seniors living safely at home, often reducing hospital visits and strain on caregivers.
If you're a senior in Thunder Bay (or know someone who is) and want to explore safe, personalized in-home training, contact HomeStretch Active Living today. Let’s help you stay active, stable, and independent for years to come.
Book your free consultation now, I personally answer every call.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Ideally 2–3 times per week.
Balance is like brushing your teeth it needs consistency. Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference. -
Anywhere you want us to!
If you have a connection to a senior centre, retirement home, community space, church basement, Legion, or museum, introduce us our team will coordinate from there.
-
Yes — we serve:
✔ Greater Hamilton
✔ Dundas
✔ Niagara Region
✔ St. Catharines
✔ Norfolk County / Port Dover
✔ Burlington & Oakville
✔ Ottawa
-
A Kinesiologist is a regulated health professional trained in:
Aging bodies
Injury recovery
Falls and balance
Joint replacements
Chronic conditions
It’s safer, more specialized, and far more effective for seniors.
Related Posts
Author Bio - Melissa Gunstone, BSc, Kinesiologist
Melissa Gunstone is the founder of HomeStretch, a kinesiologist with years of experience supporting seniors across Canada. Her mission: to give older adults safe, effective, and individualized movement programs, from in-home training to community-based senior fitness classes and to build a nationwide movement that elevates the role of kinesiology in healthy aging.
The 3 Biggest Barriers to Aging in Place - Niagara - St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Burlington, Toronto - Fall Prevention | Strength & Mobility | Caregiver Resources
