Leslee Bender the Founder of the Bender Ball

Leslee Bender is the creator of “I Am Ageless Now” a program specifically designed to provide the strategies and movements for people to live pain free, with vitality and the ability to be active, no matter what their age. “With millions of active aging individuals, people need to know how to train with no pain!” says Bender “I Am Ageless Now” sessions are science-based and approachable, featuring mindful movement and motivational techniques for all shapes, genders, sizes and ages. Leslee has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, please continue reading to learn more about her expertise and insider wellness tips!

NMF: Has fitness always been a major part of your life or was there a catalyst/point in your life when you made it more of a focus and priority?

Leslee Bender (LB): Yes I have been in the industry for over 30 years in the quest of helping others stay healthy However when I was a teenager I was considered overweight and with a relentless mother I went completely opposite to underweight therefore I have been both, which is part of my story of the problems with image of what we are supposed to look like rather than be healthy. This is a serious problem for women. My passion is to help people to be happy and never compare yourself to anyone else

NMF: What are a few of your go-to healthy snacks/drinks that help keep you on the straight and narrow?

LB: I am basically vegan and drink plenty of water daily( I believe in balance not restriction therefore if you want something make it smaller portions) Food is medicine and when it is viewed that way it becomes a part of your life

NMF: How do you train your mind and stay motivated?

LB: As a baby boomer and a female our hormones drastically change therefore exercise makes you feel better as it helps with clarity of thought and concentration. With my father passing of Alzheimer’s I am very motivated to keep up my regime of cardio, functional training and skiing both water and snow and riding a bike. And, of course mindful meditative myofascial work that keeps the connective tissue supple and crucial for any activity

NMF: How do you change your body?

LB: My body is my home so I keep it healthy and, I am not consumed with whether I fit into a bikini or showing it off. I am far more concerned about how I feel which keeps you ageless than if you are consumed with only superficial looks which is a problem with the fitness industry as a whole

NMF: What are your fitness favorites?

LB: Functional training with a purpose! In other words, what does your body need? I give my clients individualized programming they can do at home or in the gym which helps them live a functional pain-free life which slows down the aging process dramatically! There are many fads out there that many jumps on the bandwagon and many winds up getting injures, unfortunately. Our industry teaches how to do exercise but rarely the why

NMF: Tell us about the Bender Ball, rollga, and any other items you use or recommend using in a fitness regimen.

LB: Yes The Bender Ball was created for the sole purpose of protecting the back while doing core training as I was injured doing classical Pilates at no surprise… Flexion overload and overuse of hip flexors!!! I was the first to introduce a small ball into the Pilates world and now everyone has one We are the only small ball with research behind it! And why it works and protects the back so yes I love how it has helped millions! Yes millions of people Now, the new venture is Rollga to give people the opportunity to self care and add in myofascial manipulation with an exercise program. And, they are the only roller that contours to the tissue unlike a flat roller and I love it! It will be the preferred roller for I Am Ageless

NMF: What’s new that you’re currently working on?

LB: I am Ageless Now book and training/coaching program that I feel will make a big impact on many lives (at least I hope so) A program designed to give you movements and mantras for ten minutes a day

NMF: Has your workout regimen changed over the years? If so, how?

LB: DRASTICALLY I was years ago of the mentality of go harder until you are in pain and nothing has changed in our industry! (no pain no gain pulse till you drop etc…) And well I know myself and many others are paying for it as I need new knees from my stupidity and ignorance of what I was doing to my body all those years because of how I thought I should look and not how I should feel. The trainers of today are few and far between that understand this unless they themselves have had an injury and can appreciate pain and maybe what could be happening to their students. We have access to many resources that are never touched which in my opinion is sad! The aging population needs help in a program that will help them live an active life like myself and keep pain and injuries at bay! I Am Ageless will make this change as it is authentic from experiences, science and a quest to better the lives of so many people who maybe in pain and want to exercise.

For more information on Leslee visit: www.bendertraining.com

For more fitness inspiration and barre workouts visit Nadia Murdock Fit on Instagram @NadiaMurdock and the NMFIT Blog!