Client Story – Lee Grice

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.

Client Story – Keith & Kerry Adams

We have been clients of this service since its establishment at Auchenflower, in 1999. What better testimony than we remain satisfied clients to this day. Neither of us had experienced personal training before Personal Best. However, our busy lifestyle as self-employed small business owners required a flexible, accessible and cost effective approach to fitness. Large set classes or self directed learning at the general gym had not yielded the results that we were seeking. We needed understanding and maximum flexibility to cope with our differing personal needs and very busy lives.

Personal Best has helped us both achieve goals that sit comfortably with our age and stage in life as well as including some dreams. For example; while one of us had a history of running the other had not – but had always wanted to. Personal Best’s David Blair has encouraged, planned and trained this now very fit 54 year old woman to achieve a sub 30 minutes in October 2000 in a 5KM run. As a couple, running is now part of our lifestyle.

The environment at Personal Best has been another factor in our satisfaction with the service. We have watched as David and Shane built a team of trainers and a good client list. At the same time, they have always maintained their focus on our changing needs and on us. We admire their enthusiasm and energy for their business dream and also their commitment to service quality. We now feel confident in the hands of other trainers on their team who have embraced their flexible approach to sessions but also their tenacity in pushing fitness goals with sometimes-sluggish bodies.

We wish them well as they assist other clients to reach their fitness goals.

Client Story – Kasey Drayton

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

 

Client Story – Dayna Andreussi

I had been overweight all my life. Like many people I’d tried diets and going to a regular gym, and although I played team sports regularly I was never able to lose much weight – and keep it off.

I started to realise that I had to make a change in late 2007 when two things happened. A cousin of mine lost a lot of weight and I realised I didn’t want to be the only overweight grandchild in the family. The second was when I saw the success my (now) brother-in-law was having with a meal replacement diet.

Not wanting to be reliant on shakes in the short term, and being sceptical of their long-term success, I knew that I should be able to achieve the same results without resorting to what could turn out to be another failed diet. So, in January 2008, I decided to get serious.

These days the two group training sessions I do with friends have become high points in my week. I derive motivation from my continuing weight loss and increasing fitness. I’ve lost 32kgs in 7 months and have more self esteem and confidence than ever before.

With the support and encouragement of my family and friends – and our great Personal Best trainer! – I’m determined to keep going to reach my goal weight and continue to be healthy and active!

Client Story – David Laws

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

Client Story – Catherine Mcilwraith

Here today I can honestly say I have never felt more energetic, strong & inspired. I feel driven, empowered and thankful.  However a few months ago I felt anything but.

Caring for and running a busy household, I had lost all motivation as well as feeling drained. I needed a hobby but wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue. I wanted to better myself physically as well as emotionally, but I was at a loss as to where to start. I thought about joining a gym….again, but I hated overcrowded classes, having to wait for a treadmill & the lack of enthusiasm once you sign your life away on a dotted line, but I thought that this was my only option.

That was until I walked into Personal Best studio Kenmore. The trainers were kind and eager to help me reach my goals. I immediately admired their professionalism and trusted there judgement straight away. And so began my journey for a better self, right there and then.

The trainers at PB have really helped me. They continue to push all boundaries out the window. Just when I feel I couldn’t possibly lift, run or try any harder, they push me just that little bit further.

The studio is always clean, tidy and never crowded. It is a wonderful place to work out in and I never have to wait for anything.

If ever you want to do something for yourself either for health, fitness, stress reduction or just for fun. I highly recommend Personal Best. The only time I’ll be looking back is when I have completed my first fun run (in a few days time) and see just how far I’ve come!!

Catherine – Pullenvale

Client Story – Carol Conias

“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

Client Story – Bill Norris

Client Story – Bill Norris

Over 5+ years ago a friend of mine said that I should go to a personal trainer to get myself fit again.

Over the years I have kept reasonable fitness by playing touch football and then refereeing touch by up to 4 games a night and 4 nights a week.

But my knees and my legs had had enough after 12+ years.

After that I didn’t do any exercise except walking and the occasional bike ride, my energy and stamina started to fade away, I was getting a lot of back pain and finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

Since I have been coming to Personal Best, I have had a new lease on life. I have been attending 2 times a week and initially asked for a male and a female trainer to get different training skills and I think I have made the right choice. I can highly recommend your staff for their experience and for their mannerism. Each week I attend I seem to get different exercises that work those muscles that I didn’t know I had.

Not only do I get away from the office during the day I get to unwind.

At first, after attending for 12months 1 had my veins in my legs operated on [as recommended by your trainer] and the effects were fantastic, I believe my quick recovery after the operation was contributed to my fitness.

More recently I have had my knees operated on and I was back on the bike after 3 weeks and then after 8 weeks I did the Brisbane to Gold coast 100k bike ride. My doctor said that my leg muscles were in great shape and this had a big effect on my quick recovery. The one activity I really enjoy is my 50k + bike ride every Sunday [this wouldn’t have been possible some years ago without attending your studio]. I have no more back pain and I feel agile flexible and alive.

I would like to thank all the staff at Personal Best

Keep up the good work

Bill Norris

Client Story – Anne Pearson

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

Client Story – Angela Richardson

33yo, running a business, raising 2 kids, following tight schedules and routines, skipping lunch, fast-food for dinner… as each day passed, I became more aware that my lifestyle would eventually take its toll on my overall health. After having 2 children only 15 months apart, I was embarrassed about my weight and my low level of fitness but lacked the motivation and the expertise to help myself back to where I wanted to be- fit, fast and looking fabulous. Fate and destiny then intervened and opened a Personal Best studio less than 100m away from my clinic!

Working with Shane has been the best thing I have ever done for my health. Shane has taught me that no matter what, my health should be my top priority, and with the right advice and professional guidance, anything is possible if I have the commitment to myself.

I now have a new spring in my step, a more confident posture and an appreciation for the true value of good nutrition. I also have the highest of respect for the professionalism and expertise of the staff at Personal Best.

Thankyou Shane for helping me achieve my goals of looking and feeling fabulous again, and it’s only been 3 months!  My fitness levels continue to improve as well as my confidence. I even look forward to the small challenges that Shane sets for me at each session.

…and as for participating in olympic distance triathlons, who knows, anything is possible. I just have to come to terms with the two words ‘fun’ and ‘run’ actually being able to exist in the same sentence together!

Dr Angela Richardson

Cosmetic Physician

COZmedics Medispas

Kenmore