Gym Rats Need Not Join

Working as a physical therapist for the last 30 years has taught John Johnson many aspects about human nature and the bodies we covet: There is a whole population of folks who want to be healthy, but they don’t necessarily know the best ways to go about it.

Johnson runs  in the industrial center on Wallace Boulevard in Cinnaminson.

Past the lobby is a mirrored exercise room with an array of conditioning equipment found in modern health club facilities—weight machines, treadmills and stationary bikes. 

But in another room is the rehabilitation room, an environment designed to offer specialized programs by Johnson and his skilled staff of physical therapists for patients recovering from orthopedic injuries, spinal disorders, balance problems, or any back, joint and neck ailment.

Johnson launched the facility 10 years ago to offer his dual approach.

“Many people are not doing daily functions correctly, like sitting and standing,” says Johnson. “Someone might be able to put their legs around their head, but that same person’s back muscles might be weak.”

General fitness—and the ultimate way to stay "EverFit"—according to Johnson, is to focus on areas relating to the muscles, particularly for midlifers.

“More and more people have cumulative musculoskeletal stress,” says Johnson.

Often, some clients will walk into Johnson’s facility for rehabilitation for an injury. Many come referred by a physician. 

All members go through a series of tests to measure strength, balance and endurance.

After getting a patient to his or her physical potential, then Johnson encourages his patient to maintain it. That sometimes is the hardest.

“I teach someone how to move better, how to manage their bodies and carry themselves without additional stress, which is why many people are hurt in the first place.” 

He adds: "You don’t necessarily have to be on a treadmill for an hour to get a good workout.”

Johnson, 51—who must practice what he preaches—looks a good 10 years younger. He grew up in Palmyra and graduated from Holy Cross High School in Delran. 

After graduating from Kean University, he received his master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He also has an advanced master’s degree from Hahnemann University Hospital. He now lives in Delran.

For the last year, Johnson’s been working with local employers, training employees in-house, on the proper ways to sit at a desk and how to lift supplies.

Lockheed Martin managers hired Johnson to offer skills-training for the 4,000 employees working in the Moorestown facility. 

Another sizable contingent of clients consists of kids in local athletic programs, who are developing their core potential through a variety of exercises.

But the bulk of his clients, about 80 percent, are in the over-50 range—“a more open-minded group of people, who want to age well,” says Johnson.

Ben Johnson, 23, the elder Johnson’s son, recently finished his undergraduate degree in health and exercise science at The College of New Jersey, and has been working with his dad for the last three years.

“One of the main keys for good health is prevention,” says the younger Johnson. 

He should know. 

He’s a member of the Philadelphia Spinners professional ultimate Frisbee team. Disc playing involves a lot of pounding to a person’s knees and body slamming.

EverFit Physical Therapy and Fitness Center has another facility located in Westampton, which offers aquatic therapy, too.

“It feels good to send someone out of here feeling better than when they came in,” Johnson says.