Archive for category: Client Stories

Hi, my name is Lee Grice, I’m a Principal Architect, designing computer software.  I am 47 years old, in my early years I played first grade professional soccer in Brisbane.  During this stage of my life I also trained in Tae Kwon Do (Korean Karate) and achieved black belt level.  My elder Brother at the time managed/owned a large Gym that I had access to at any time.  I was very fit.  So here’s the thing, I had never paid money to be fit and healthy, because I never had to.  

Some 25 years later, I have four children of varying ages from 5 to 19. I do not have the time or involvement in all the activities like I had 25 years ago, so keeping fit and healthy is not easy.

My wonderful Wife gave me 10 sessions at Personal Best for my birthday about 5 years ago.  She did this because I was always complaining of being unfit and not getting the time to run or exercise as I always had (four children including brand new twins!).

My first real reaction was, I don’t need some one to do this I can do it myself as I always have I just don’t have the time.  But I agreed do the sessions and make the time to be there, as I’m not one to waste money (even though my heart wasn’t in it).  I started training at Personal Best Toowong with Shane Somerville.  Five years later I still train with Shane.

The reason:- what I learnt through training at Personal Best is that, even in my younger years although I put in an enormous amount of time and hard work to be fit, I probably could have been even fitter and stronger had I had the direction and knowledge from a personal trainer.  

In training sessions you are monitored and results are recorded so that every subsequent session builds on the last.  These trainers know when and how hard to work you to achieve the results that you want and need.  

At the end of the day if you turn up and “put in the effort” you will get results, you don’t have to think what exercises you need to do to effect what part of your body, how many reps etc, etc, that’s there job, and they take their job very seriously, yet are supportive and encouraging all along the way.

At 47 I can honestly say that I feel stronger than ever before in my life.
Just as a final note, there are always excuses not to do something, about 6 months after starting at Personal Best I discovered I had a severe back problem (apparently caused through being a fast bowler at cricket).  So I had MRI’s and appointments with Orthopaedic surgeons, I took the results to Shane, expecting to end my sessions.  From that day he adopted my sessions to consider my injury and my back is in far better shape from exercise strengthening my core muscles etc I have totally avoided having to have any surgery.

I decided to join Personal Best after seeing the amazing results my husband achieved in such a short time.

I joined when my youngest child was 5 months old and was carrying about 6 kilos of extra baby weight.  I was flabby, unmotivated and had no core strength whatsoever.    At my initial appraisal I could not even do one sit up or one push up.

I wanted to succeed but previous efforts at gyms had been unsuccessful as I lost interest after a short time.

Fourteen months later I am stronger, toned and have lost all the baby weight.  My core strength has improved incredibly, I have more flexibility and feel fit and strong.      I am now hooked and attend 3 times a week – something I never thought I would do.

Having the right trainer is paramount and I’ve been lucky to have access to 3 amazing trainers in Issy, David and Sam.    I could not have come as far as I have without the help and drive of Israel and his sensational sessions.

The key elements that keep me coming back each week are – small classes and individual attention, varied exercises and circuits, motivated trainers and simply feeling so good after each session.

I believe my success is also due to the varied and individual programs.   I had previously done a bit of cardio work but never weight training.  I think the combination of weight training and cardio work has helped me not only lose my excess weight quickly, but keep it off. It also helps me to get stronger and leaner without the bulking up many associate with weight training.  I also like knowing it’s helping to build calcium stores inside my bones.

I love that there’s a great team spirit with the clientele of Personal Best and the varied mix – old, young and everyone in between are welcome and we all work to our own ability.

My husband and I even do gym sessions and exercise while on holidays now – mini programs given to us by our trainer.

Kasey Drayton

I have had the most success losing weight, and getting and staying fit, when I have a fitness goal that I am committed to, and have recognised the achievable smaller steps in getting to that goal. It is all in my mind really. It’s what I think that makes the difference. Not letting it get overwhelmed by the size of the big goal.
 
Once I have the goal and start on the small achievable steps, it is a not long till I am in the rhythm of exercise and eating well, and saying no to all the food that surrounds me, sticking to the small steps to get to the bigger goal.
 
I use PB to stay focussed on fitness, because if I have an appointment I will be there. If I have had a slow exercise week I still know that come Friday David will be putting me through the paces, which usually reinvigorates my interest in the steps to my goals. Or if I fall off the exercise wagon it is not months before I hop on again because PB Friday will be looming to remind me how much I enjoy being fit. PB is also there each week to correct the technique of each exercise to get maximum outcome, and to support on my motivation when it lags.
 
David Laws

“well, I’m here, but I don’t want to be”

Yes, they were the words I said to Maribel Gonzales when I walked into Personal Best Toowong Studio for my first ever personal training session. The look on Maribel’s face said, ‘O>M>G. this is not going to be fun!’

I was so nervous and convinced that I was too old and unfit to ever get decent results, fitness and weight wise. My experiences being that way in the past.

How wrong could I be.

20 months later, I am 11 kg lighter (my Doctor approves) and am feeling well, energetic, trim and my level of fitness is really good. Last year, 2008, I had a run in with breast cancer. Two operations and radio therapy were my lot at that time. I was also training with David Rutherford and Maribel at that time. They encouraged me to continue with a program that was modified for me from week to week to compliment my physical capabilities through this challenge.

I can’t tell you how much this helped me physically, mentally and emotionally. Such insight, understanding, patience, caring and quiet encouragement was truly above and beyond what I would have expected to receive.

I am fully recovered and train with Maribel now, and , I can say to you, DONT HESITATE to join this wonderful group, whose dedication to their clients will best you to your goals. Cheers.

Carol Conias

Toowong

Training for Two!

I’ve been training at Personal Best since 2003 and at the beginning of this year my husband and I found out we were pregnant.  I was getting a little confused with the information I was reading in pregnancy books and magazines as they often contradicted each other about how to exercise but they all agreed that the mother and baby are much better off if the mother exercises throughout her pregnancy.  I then asked my obstetrician about training who said “trust your personal trainer as they are the professionals and experts in exercise”.  So with that endorsement I confidently continued my training.

My personal trainer, Maribel, was the second person I told (after my husband of course).  Maribel new that we were trying to fall pregnant so after she received the news she easily adapted the exercises in my personal and group sessions to suit the needs of “training for two”.  Continuing training with Maribel in both individual and group sessions was a no brainer!

In the beginning I had to reschedule a few sessions as I was feeling too sick and tired.  Even though I’ve attended a few sessions not feeling great, I’ve still felt good about exercising after the session.  I feel confident training at Personal Best as Maribel monitors my heart rate and checks if I’m feeling okay.  She is always keen to know how my latest doctor’s appointment went and what new symptoms I have with my pregnancy (which often results in us having a good giggle).  

Being pregnant (for the first time) makes me feel a little anxious as I’m not sure what to expect but at least I’m not worried about exercising.  I’m also pleased that my tummy is the only thing expanding and not my thighs!

I look forward to continuing my training with Maribel at Personal Best as my ‘bump’ grows bigger and I will definitely resume training as soon as the doctor gives me the ‘ok’ after the baby arrives.  

Anne Pearson

Toowong