FAQ

Statistics show that out of all exercisers, only 25% get the results they are looking for. Out of those people who do get results, 90% used a personal trainer (IHRSA 2002). Hiring a personal trainer can be one of the best investments you can make, especially when it comes to creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A personal trainer can help you achieve real results, especially if: You need extra motivation You want to improve your exercise technique You want to know what exercises are best for you and your body You want to break out of your current ‘fitness plateau’ You want to see results quickly You are new to exercise and/or the gym, and need professional guidance Or one of many outcomes that are personal to you.

Personal trainers should be able to train people in all areas whether they want to lose weight, gain muscle, train for a triathlon or recover from an injury. Most trainers should be reasonably dimensional and their knowledge should not be limited. Look for a trainer with a track record of success who has been referred to you by someone who has achieved results. At Personal Best Fitness all our personal trainers are Certified Level 4 and registered with Fitness Australia.

Great people skills and great teaching skills, because essentially we are teachers. Personal trainers need to be passionate, listen, have empathy, be perceptive and also be tough at times. It’s not always an easy job to help people change when most people are resistant to change. Sometimes we work with a person who doesn’t want to do what they need to do – that’s where a trainer needs to motivate them to work through the barrier.

Our typical client trains once a week, but we also have a range of clients who train once a month, and others who train up to three days a week with a personal trainer. How often you train with a personal trainer depends on the type of results you want to achieve and how quickly you want to achieve them. Each individual is different, and our trainers can provide you with the best plan for your needs. Our sessions are usually one hour, however this depends on your needs, financial situation and availability.

Training with a personal trainer once a month is for people who are well established in an exercise routine and want to have their program adjusted, so they are continually challenging their body, staying motivated and achieving results. It’s like having a coach rather than a personal trainer. If they have questions they ring us; if they are unsure of anything they ring us. They fill in a training and food diary and we give them feedback and direction. We ensure their program is appropriate for their goals and that they are getting maximum gain for their effort.

A gym instructor is someone who will assist people in the use of gym equipment and then leave them to do his or her own training. When working with a client, a personal trainer is going to address everything that will have a direct result on how their client looks, feels and functions.

Overall there are three things we work on: how people look, feel and function. Most people, if they were totally honest, are more concerned about what they look like than how healthy they are. Most people who come to us want to be trimmer, leaner, have more muscle definition and improved fitness, strength and posture. We can also help clients achieve specific fitness goals, from running a personal best time in a fun run, to passing the demanding physical tests for the police or fire brigade, or even competing at an elite level in their chosen sport.

We take into account your exercise time, lifestyle, habits, thinking, behaviour, outlook, belief and attitude, because changing your body is changing your thinking as well. Unfortunately most people who lose weight put it back on, those who get fit become unfit again, and most people who achieve something in relation to health and fitness will lose it again. When you come to us for the first time we are interested in how we can help you make a permanent life change, not just how to get you in shape for summer. In the first session, we will usually go through a comprehensive fitness appraisal. We teach everyone differently but have a procedure and a protocol, which is: finding out who you are, what your background and history is, what your needs are, what you want to achieve, why you are here, how many times you have tried to get in shape, what happened the last few times, whether or not you have had a personal trainer before or ever joined a gym. We still have women coming in saying they are not going to lift weights because they will end up looking big. Sometimes the problem is 90% mental and 10% physical. One of the key reasons people go into various programs and clinics is in hope the problem will be fixed by someone else, we can provide the motivation and support to help you achieve your goals.

Anyone who struggles to get results, stay motivated or disciplined and that is three quarters of the population. There are some people that just need direction, because they are motivated but are doing inappropriate exercise.

No, you don’t. We can visit you at your home or meet you for an outdoors session. We will suggest what will help you achieve your goals best.

Parking is available in any unmarked spaces in front of the building, or in one of the four specifically signed spaces for Personal Best Fitness members.

Sportswear and sandshoes should be worn whenever you are exercising in the club. Personal Best Fitness is known for its non-intimidating, relaxed atmosphere, so there is no need to go out and buy the latest lycra outfit! Wear whatever style of exercise clothes that you feel comfortable and confident in.

No, there are plenty of beginners, and people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. The equipment can be adjusted to whichever workload or resistance is appropriate to your needs.

No one wants to use a machine that’s all sweaty from the person before, so it’s important to wipe off the equipment when you have finished using it. Personal Best Fitness provides cloths and hygiene spray for this purpose, however for the comfort of yourself and others in the club, we prefer you use your own small gym towel when exercising. Remember to bring a separate towel if you plan to have a shower after your workout. Towel hire is available from reception for a nominal fee. Why not buy a towel hire card?

On joining the club, you will be given your membership card. You need to bring this card each time you visit the club as the front desk team will ask for it. Replacement card fee applies if you lose your card.

We provide a special service to allow you to freeze your membership while you are ill, injured or on holiday. This is how it works:

• You must provide 14 days notice in writing, please ask at reception for a form.
• Freezing must be a minimum of two weeks. There is no maximum period.
• Note: Time freeze will not be accepted if any fees are outstanding.

As a new member, you will receive two hours with one of our personal trainers for a complimentary gym introduction and one program review. They will show you how to safely and effectively use all the different pieces of equipment, as well as design an individual program to help you reach your health and fitness goals. You may also want to invest in some additional personal training, offered at reduced rates for members. We also recommend that you invest in some personal training to get you started. This will ensure that you exercise in a safe and effective manner. Bookings can be made at reception. Our Booster packs are great for getting started.

To get the best benefit when using the equipment we encourage you to ask as many questions as you wish. The personal trainers are there to help answer your questions. No one expects you to be an expert at using the equipment.

All our personal trainers have a current first aid certificate. The first aid box is located at reception.

Just like we learn good table manners as a child, there are also some important guidelines to follow for sharing a workout space with others at Personal Best. Even if you feel like you’re in your own little world when you’re exercising, keep in mind that others also need access to both equipment and floor space. Good Gym Etiquette:

• Equipment: Clean up after yourself. Always bring a towel -and use it. There’s nothing worse than getting covered in someone else’s sweat! Towels help keep surfaces clean, dry and germ-free. Personal Best Fitness provides cleaning supplies – use them to wipe down your equipment before heading off to the next exercise.
• If you take something out, please put it away. Have you just finished using a set of free weights? Then put them away. Leaving dumbbells, bands, exercise balls and other equipment on the floor is a tripping hazard and makes it difficult for other members to find the equipment they need. Don’t drop the weights when you’re done – it’s loud and can be distracting for others around you.
• Learn to share. Share the equipment with others. If you’re in the middle of a circuit but taking a short break, let others slip in between sets to save time. Don’t leave your towel on the machine and walk away expecting the machine to still be available when you return. All members have a right to use the equipment.
• Practice patience. Don’t rush others. If someone is obviously using a piece of equipment, don’t ask if they are almost done. Wait until he or she takes a break and be prepared to wait or use something else in the meantime.

Lockers are provided in both male and female change rooms free of charge, for the convenience of our members. Please do not leave your belongings anywhere else in the change room. If you wish to use a locker, please ask the reception staff for a key. Reception staff will hold your membership card or car keys while you have a locker key, so we can keep track of who has the locker keys. Your card/keys will be returned after your workout when you return the locker key.

You need to bring your shampoo and conditioner, however soap is provided in the shower cubicles. Hairdryers are also provided in the change rooms.

Lost property is gathered overnight and can be collected from reception. Personal Best Fitness cannot be held responsible for items lost within the club. We do stress that no valuables are brought into the premises as Personal Best Fitness does not take responsibility for your personal belongings. To do so will be done at your own risk.

Casual visitors are welcome at Personal Best Fitness. If you have friends or family visiting for longer periods they can purchase a Casual Visit card or membership – ask at reception for details. If you give us the name and phone number of a friend you would like to recommend to join the club we will contact them on your behalf and invite them to use the facilities for one complimentary visit.

6am to 8.30pm on Monday to Thursdays, 6am to 7.30pm Fridays, 7am to 12 noon on Saturdays and 2pm to 6pm Sundays. On public holidays please check with reception for opening hours, with the exceptions of Christmas Day and Good Friday (closed).

There is no age restriction for members or casual visitors at Personal Best Fitness. However, for the safety of themselves and other club users, we require persons below the age of 10 years to be fully supervised by a parent, guardian, or personal trainer at all times. Persons between the age of 10 and 16 years may use the facilities independent of supervision once they have completed a two x one-hour gym induction with a personal trainer (standard personal training rates apply).

Yes, the quietest time is generally between 11am and 3pm on weekdays. This does vary, so please ask reception and they will guide you.

Your Personal Best Fitness membership is an investment in your health. Perhaps an update with your personal trainer will help to re-motivate you and get you back on track with your exercise routine. Please read the following information carefully to understand why it is important to exercise on a regular basis. Here at Personal Best Fitness our goal is to help improve your health, your wellbeing and quality of life through regular exercise.