Paralympian trains at Martin Health and Fitness Center at Palm City
April 14, 2016
Jacqui Kapinowski trains on the Kinesis April 6 at Martin Health and Fitness Center at Palm City with the help of Stefanie Falkner, Group Exercise and Program Coordinator.
Jacqui Kapinowski trains on the Concept 2 SkiErg April 6 alongside Stefanie Falkner. Kapinowski is working to represent the United States in the 2016 Paralympic Games in September in Rio de Janeiro.
At 53, Jacqui Kapinowski has an athletic career most would envy. She has competed in 80 marathons, six triathlons, has seven national titles and has been a member of three USA teams.
And she didn’t let her wheelchair slow her down.
“I had bacterial meningitis twice and survived,” said Kapinowski, of Tequesta. “The second time I had it, the priest actually read me my last rites. My dad said that he never thought I’d come out of the hospital alive because I was really sick.”
As a result, she developed a rare neurological disorder known as “Stiff Person Syndrome” and became wheelchair bound in her 30s.
Now, with the help of Martin Health System’s Stefanie Falkner, CPT, she is preparing for the 2016 Paralympic Team Trials and hopes to represent the United States as an adaptive rower in Rio de Janeiro in September. Kapinowski and her husband, Harry Kapinowski, came to Martin Health and Fitness Center at Palm City to take advantage of the SkiErg and Kinesis machines.
Normally, she would be strapped into a boat while training or competing on the water. That friction can lead to inflammation and rib injuries, said Falkner, who is also the Junior Women’s Head Coach for the Treasure Coast Rowing Club.
There is no need for that strap when she works out on the SkiErg and Kinesis equipment.
“It’s excellent for her because she’s getting a little bit more support from her own muscles and strengthening her own muscles instead of feeling the strap always from keeping her falling forward,” said Falkner.
That advantage helps Kapinowski get stronger and better prepare for competition. The workouts are hard, but she loves them.
“That’s how you build champions,” she said.
