|
|
|
Meet our
trainers...
10
years experience in the fitness industry
Lecturer in Boxing component,
Cert IV in Fitness, Australian Fitness Academy
Classes you are
currently instructing for HBF:
I
own and manage all the personal training and classes at HBF and
currently instruct the Boot Camp Fitzroy Wednesdays, Boxing Boot
Camp Hawthorn Wednesdays & Corporate Groups.
Why
did you choose to work in the fitness industry?
I was
passionate about fitness and health, and was keen to be
self-employed - it was a natural choice for me.
What
do you love about instructing classes?
Everything! The social
aspect, meeting new people and watching bonds form between
participants, providing a quality workout filled with variety and
fun, the creativity... I could go on and on!
What
do you feel are your best assets as a fitness
trainer?
Patience, attention to
detail, professionalism, communication skills, listening skills and
I genuinely care about people.
What
do you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
Unfortunately this is
limited to weekends! I relax by keeping
busy with:
Adventure Racing
Dancing
(Salsa & Bellydancing)
Seeing live music & music festivals
Dinners with friends
Weekends
away
Reading
Some would
suggest talking!
What
is the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement
you have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
Adventure racing!
In one particular event, we kayaked, mountain biked and ran
for 7 hours straight on French Island, reaching control points with
the aid of a map. It was so challenging, but incredibly
exhilarating. By the end I had trouble putting sentences
together due to fatigue. I try to participate regularly and
aim to improve my navigation skills and speed.
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
What you don't realise
is that everyone starts out scared before their first class. People
think that they will turn up to a class filled with
athletes. Participants are relieved to find that our classes
are filled with people of all ages, fitness levels, body types and
walks of life. As for someone who says they are too busy for
fitness, I would suggest that they look at their priorities.
Health and fitness should be near the top of the list.
Some of the busiest people are also the fittest.
|
Classes
you are currently instructing for HBF:
Boot
Camp: Caulfield , Elwood & Corporate Groups
Why
did you choose to work in the fitness industry?:
I love
being able to work with people to achieve their fitness
goals. Seeing the positive impact that exercise has on my
clients’ lives is a fantastic reward for the job.
What
do you love about instructing Boot Camp?
The
variety, the fun, the challenge, and of course, the
people!
What
do you feel are your best assets as a fitness
trainer?
My own
enthusiasm for exercise, along with my empathy for people and the
effort it sometimes takes to get out there and get active.
It’s not always easy, so I really respect people for having the
courage to give it a go.
What
do you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
Apart
from working out myself, you can usually find me playing my piano
or cello, or enjoying a coffee in a café around Melbourne – so many
to choose from!
What
is the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement
you have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
I’m
currently working towards competing in my first triathlon.
Given that I’ve never been much of a swimmer, going the distance in
the water is going to be no mean feat. To give you some idea
of the challenge I’m facing, I was embarrassingly excited a few
weeks ago when I managed to swim 50 metres without
stopping!
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
You’re
only as old/unfit as you feel. You can stay as you are, or
you can get out there, give it a try and find out what you’re
missing out on! As for the too busy excuse, each and every
one of us gets just 24 hours in the day to play with, so it comes
down to priorities. If it’s important enough to you, you’ll
find the time.
|
Why
did you choose to work in the fitness industry?
I love to
keep fit and love the outdoors. It’s a passion and a natural
choice. I also want to help
people to achieve their goals, hopes and dreams in life.
Through fitness and a “CAN DO” attitude I believe you can
achieve anything.
What
do you love about instructing Boot Camp?
I like the
variation in exercise it provides it keeps attendees
motivated. It’s a challenge as everybody is at different
fitness levels. Watching people achieve their goals is
rewarding.
What
do you feel are your best assets as a fitness
trainer?
I love to
motivate and challenge people with a workout that gets the best out
of the individual. I am passionate about keeping fit and
maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I also like to encourage and will
listen to you to help you along your journey.
What
do you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
Watching
sport, playing sport, working out.
Cooking.
Coffee with
friends.
Spend time
with family and friends.
What
is the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement
you have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
Triathlon is
my thing! I love the challenge it presents you with as well as the
people you race against. There is a real comradeship in
Triathlon. One of my goals is to
complete the Port Macquarie Ironman followed by my life long goal
the Hawaiian Ironman,the home of Ironman triathlon.
(This
event is invitation only through your race time or the ironman
lottery). Competing in the
Hawaiian Ironman would be the ultimate dream come true, it is
such a beautiful but cruel, harsh and challenging course both
mentally and physically.
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
You are
never too old to try or succeed in anything you do or want in life.
Give
it a go! Write your fitness training into your diary like an
appointment and stick to it. The hardest class is the first
as you don’t know what to expect but once you start you will be
wishing you started sooner as your having fun and reaping the
benefits as they say the rest is history……………………….
|
Classes
you are currently instructing for HBF:
Boxing
Boot Camp Fitzroy
Why did
you choose to work in the fitness industry?:
I really
enjoy working with people and even more so empowering them to
fulfil their potential. With its synergistic blend of mind
and body training, the fitness industry is the perfect one for
me! Plus, I enjoy the working out and training
myself!!
What do
you love about instructing Boot Camp?
Boot
camp has its own special charm! There is something about
committing to a high energy, high intensity training session –
every time!! While other workouts can get serious, Boot Camp
is all about great dynamics and good fun!
What do
you feel are your best assets as a fitness trainer?
I hope
that people find my enthusiasm about health and fitness helpful. I
also find that I can often clearly see a client’s gains before they
can, plus a tantalizing glimpse of their “Inner Athlete”! I
am always conscious of meeting a client “where they are” –
after all that’s what makes training “personal”.
What do
you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
I am
committed to getting as much out of this life as I can – so during
my downtime (that is when I am not indulging in my two favourite
sports – Kickboxing and Triathlon) you might find me doing any, or
a combination of: cooking, indulging in great coffee or wine,
photographing anything remotely interesting, avidly watching films,
animatedly discussing horses and horse racing, socialising (!!),
totally spoiling my three-year old niece, tying myself in knots
doing yoga, excitedly planning my next overseas trip or whipping
around galleries and exhibitions!
What is
the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement you
have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
Every
year brings new training goals and challenges for me, however I
would rate 2003 as one of my best years –somehow I found the key to
balancing different types of training, professional workload and
personal life. I was able to compete nationally and complete
two kickboxing gradings and finish my first triathlon, as well as
caring for my two horses!
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
Quite
simply – “Never say Never!” Lets focus on how you can do
it, rather than why you can’t!
|
Why did
you choose to work in the fitness industry?:
I loved
going to the gym more than going to work, so what better way to
enjoy life, pick something you love, and you’ll never work a day in
your life. I love talking to people and helping them, and I
genuinely care about them, and seeing the positive change in people
once they start gaining more confidence in themselves and they feel
they can achieve anything. It’s great to see people being
comfortable in their own skin.
What do
you love about instructing Boot Camp?
The
energy, the fun, the hard work and the socialising. I
also love the variety from week to week, and the functional
exercises we do, more fun and functional than the standard gym
machine based exercises.
What do
you feel are your best assets as a fitness trainer?
Friendly,
approachable, and positive, and always willing to help and
listen.
What do
you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
I am a
keen op shopper ! I love the hunt for a bargain, and I love the
outdoors, the Botanical gardens, the Dandenongs, and I love a great
film, any comedy starring Eddie Izzard or martial arts film with
Bruce Lee.
What is
the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement you
have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
It’s got
to be running around the Tan without passing out! It’s a goal I
have had for a while, I’m more of a cycling person. Also
consistency, I have had to prioritise my workouts to make sure I
keep doing them and keep my fitness up.
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
Fitness
is a personal thing, we all have our own standards of fitness, and
whether it’s keeping up with your kids , or wanting to run a
marathon, or just to generally feel fitter, it’s never to late to
start, and you can do it at your own pace, try not to compare
yourself to anyone else. Incidental exercise like taking the
stairs or walking can be the first step to getting fitter.
And realise that you’re not alone, Boot camps are full of people
from all walks of life, with different fitness levels, and everyone
takes their own pace, it’s about feeling fitter for your lifestyle,
what ever that might be.
|
Why did you choose to work
in the fitness industry?
I have always loved sports
and staying healthy so the fitness industry seemed like an obvious
choice, work doesn’t seem like work when you enjoy what you
do!
What do you love
about instructing Boot Camp?
It’s a new challenge for me
and one that I’m relishing, its also very rewarding seeing people
improve their fitness levels.
What do you feel are your
best assets as a fitness trainer?
I’m very committed to a
healthy lifestyle from the inside and outside of the body and
strive to learn more about nutrition and health everyday. As a
trainer I’m professional, a good communicator and motivator and
understanding of clients varying fitness levels.
What do you like to do in
your own time (when you are not working)?
I love spending time with
family. Training using a more natural approach to fitness, I’m
currently learning hand balancing. Making raw chocolate, that’s the
sort you can eat everyday which is good because I’m a chocoholic! I
also love to play poker when I get the time.
What is the most
challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement you have
tackled in keeping yourself fit?
I don’t go in for marathons
or crazy long distance events but I’ve done 1000 hindu squats in 30
minutes, which if your into bodyweight exercising you would
appreciate as a good effort.
What advice would you give
to someone who thinks they are too unfit / too old / too busy to
try a fitness class?
Too unfit? Most people these
days are unfit so you’re not alone and everyone has to start
somewhere. Too old? As long as you have a pulse you can improve
your fitness. Too busy? When you start exercising you will
find that you have more energy throughout the day which means you
have more time, easy!
|
Classes you are
currently instructing for HBF:
Bentleigh
Boot Camp
Why
did you choose to work in the fitness industry?:
Fitness
has always been a part of my life, which has had a positive
impact.
What
do you love about instructing Boot Camp?
Boot
Camps are a fun group exercise experience that achieves accelerated
results. I really enjoy seeing people push beyond their imagined
limitations to achieve results they never dreamed of.
What
do you feel are your best assets as a fitness
trainer?
My
passion for health, fitness and exercise. My commitment to clients
goals and professionalism.
What
do you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
Movies,
music, catching up with friends, shopping, dancing, keeping my own
fitness up, reading, watching sport especially football (soccer),
eating, good coffee and the list goes on… just not everything at
once!
What
is the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement
you have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
Great
Ocean Road Marathon in May 2007. Very, very hard but the reward of
the achievement far outweighs the effort.
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
You are
never too unfit or too old to take positive steps to improve your
enjoyment of life. A good trainer will be able to adjust a class so
that people of varying levels/ages are able to train effectively.
Too busy – this is not a question of time but a question of
priorities. What priority do you place on your health and
fitness?
Ultimately, you can come
up with an infinite number of reasons not to do something. At some
point you need to put them aside and step off…
|
Why did
you choose to work in the fitness industry?
It was my
sincere love of exercise and physical activity that drove me to
study Sports Science and Health Promotion and after completing in
1997, I spent 8 years promoting health in personal, community and
corporate settings. I understand the challenges that people
face in creating an active lifestyle in today’s fast-paced and very
work-oriented society. I love working with people and helping
them to see that there are many very simple and practical things
they can do to greatly improve their health, well-being and
happiness.
What do
you love about instructing Boot Camp?
I love
the variety that comes with creating new and different programs
each week. I love to see the improvements that class members
are making and to see them put what they learn in class into
practice in their lives. I also love to have fun and bringing
my own special flavour of fun and fitness to the Healthy Balance
team!
What do
you feel are your best assets as a fitness trainer?
I've
always felt that my calling was to motivate people and throughout
my career I have seen many examples that prove a combination of
knowledge and skills, together with the right attitude and mindset,
can virtually guarantee results! I am known for my energy and
enthusiasm and I think this rubs off on my clients.
What do
you like to do in your own time (when you are not
working)?
Definitely fitness
activities such as running, boxing and dancing. I also enjoy
participating in creative pursuits such as drama classes and
singing and when I need to wind down I love a good book or to spend
time with my friends and family.
What is
the most challenging or rewarding fitness event / achievement you
have tackled in keeping yourself fit?
The Oxfam
100km Walk. A most amazing feat that required not only
physical fitness, but also a positive and determined mental
attitude and a phenomenal degree of team work between the 4 walkers
and the crew who supported us throughout (providing us with food,
electrolytes, caffeine, fresh socks and blister prevention at the
check points!). We achieved our goal of completing in under
24 hours and crossed the line at 5:45am at the top of Mt Donna
Buang, having begun the trek almost 22 hours prior at 8am the day
before!
What
advice would you give to someone who thinks they are too unfit /
too old / too busy to try a fitness class?
Very
little in life gives a 100% guarantee, but I believe that exercise
does! Regardless of how you feel when you start, you will
always feel better when you finish! A class is perfect for a
beginner or someone with particular needs because an experienced
trainer can show you how to modify and gradually adapt the
exercises as you get fitter and stronger. For those that
think they are too busy: Remember – the more energy you use,
the more you will get! A fitter person is much better able to
cope with the demands of a busy or stressful lifestyle and will
sleep better too! When we feel like we’re just too tired to
exercise, there is nothing better than being swept up by the
enthusiasm of a group who can encourage you to give it your best –
all you have to do is turn up!
|
|
|
|
|
