A Fitness Industry Trailblazer

Many of us can remember the days of leotards, leg warmers, high leg kicks and grape vines, none more so than Colin who has been one of the trailblazers in the Tasmanian Fitness Industry.

Colin started teaching aerobic classes back in 1982 and became what was then termed a ‘fitness leader’. He subsequently established the Tasmanian United Fitness Leaders Association in 1987, which later became Fitness Tasmania.

Away from the fitness industry Colin had a distinguished career of 38 years at the Australian Taxation Office, during which time he established a fitness centre there. Colin retired from the ATO in 2002, at which point his focus shifted entirely to the fitness industry.

During his 35 years in the fitness industry he has presented at FILEX, the largest fitness industry conference in the southern hemisphere and also organized and promoted fitness seminars and workshops in Tasmania.

Colin enjoyed competing in aerobics championships and subsequently became the first accredited aerobics coach in Tasmania in 1994, as well as the Director of the Tasmanian Aerobics Championships from 1988 to 1993. In addition to this he was the Tasmanian coordinator for Australian Fitness Network and was Network’s Tasmanian Ambassador.

Since 2005 Colin has been a co-owner of Personal Best Fitness, with his primarily role being to ensure that Personal Best maintains its high standard of excellence and meets the clients and staff needs. Colin also enjoys his role as a personal trainer and has been training some of his clients for over a decade and recently had a 14 year anniversary with his first small group “Coot Camp”, Boot camp for old coots! ‘I particularly enjoy working with the 40+ sector as I can relate well to them’.

Colin is a firm believer in life long learning and he recently completed the Understanding Dementia Course conducted by the University of Tasmania. He is a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach and a Certified Functional Ageing Specialist.

The most rewarding aspect of Colin’s involvement in the fitness industry is the relationships he has developed with his colleagues, clients and the team at Personal Best Fitness.

‘My main focus now is ensuring that Personal Best Fitness continues to lead the way in delivering ‘cutting edge’ personal training and that our members and staff feel valued, recognized and appreciated’.

Living by the practice what you preach motto, Colin exercises most days, he is a keen cyclist and has been weight training for some 38 years. One of his long term goals is to always be able to do as many chin-ups as his age!
Away from all things fitness, Colin is a devoted father to Sofie and he enjoys reading, a wine or two, the beach and is a fabulous cook of Asian food. He is also one of the most organized people that we know.
Colin is a wonderful role model to the broader fitness community and we are so fortunate to have his knowledge and skills to call upon at Personal Best.