I don't like exercising. If I found a way to stay fit and healthy that involved never having to…read morephysically exert myself I would be a happy lady. So you can imagine I'm not a personal trainers best client. I whine and complain, and occasionally (a minimum of once as session) try and negotiate my way out of an exercise that I'm not too particularly fond of. The lovely team at Xpress PT, lead by Anton but Brett was my trainer, make the process as good as it can be and rarely do I negotiate my way out of anything. Based in the city their whole premise is based upon 30 minute intense personal training sessions so you are in and out in a flash. They are friendly and supportive in trying to help you reach your goals.

As you pack your gym bag and stomp your feet for the billionth time like a tantrum child "but I dun…read morewanna go!!!" then you remember your goal of wanting buns of steel and guns that pew pew. You swipe the door with your entry key and waltz in. Damn straight I'm here to "get s%#t done"!! So pumped right now or maybe that was the pre-workout I took 30min prior. It's easy to get intimidated by the bulky hulks in the free weights area, especially when you are a woman. I make a v-line over there but get stared down as they chew on barbells growling at me. Errrr it's okay I wanted to use the weights machines anyway. You have all kinds here. People dedicated to losing weight, building muscle or just to look good. Brah-science in the free weights and socialite prancing ponies in the cardio. I'm the awkward one in limbo land who does weights and a little cardio. Overall it's a pretty good atmosphere. You have some serious eye candy at times and then there is the grunting, oh my is there a lot of grunting. Gets this girl wet and I'm not talking about sweat haha! The staff here are pretty much useless and un attentive to your needs but I'm not here to be their BFF or wanting ultimate luxury for the price I pay. They have the facilities and equipment to get in, knock out a killer session and get on out!

"Now just breathe in, lower the navel to the base of the spine, tilt the pelvic floor to a 3 and…read morebreathe out sideways while leaving your navel and pelvis tucked." Good luck. For someone who understands the basics of core strength and who has a medium level of fitness, pilates with Simon still leaves me feeling like I've done a 60 minute Body Attack class at the end (minus the beetroot, sweaty appearance). So if your only workout is changing the trying to find the television remote then this might not be the best place to start. Simon does insist you come in for an initial assessment prior to coming to the class though, so you'll know soon enough if your best left doing hand eye coordination exercises in a pub on a weekend instead. For $10 per class (or $8 if you buy a 10 class pass) you get: - 45 minutes of zen where you have no option but to purely focus on how I'm supposed to lift my leg and keep a flat stomach without straining. - New found abs and buns of steel (or just the feeling that you now have them since you will be a little tender 2 days after class - A really flexible and laid back teacher who brings as much fun into the class as possible whilst working you damn hard. It is important to note though that I do struggle with Simon sometimes getting sidetracked during class, causing him to loose count and you then ended up working one side more than another. So either be prepared to omm and move past it or cheat and do a bit of extra work to balance out those buns.

One of the friendliest gyms I've joined with great Instructors who don't let you get comfortable…read more Tough workouts. Love it!

I don't respond well to "move your ass," or "you're not working hard enough lard bum," when…read moretraining. So it is always refreshing to find an outdoor fitness group that has a supportive, encouraging environment where you are coached rather than bootcamped. Steve is an enthusiastic, young Personal Trainer who has a focus on healthy, go your own pace fitness in which no 2 classes are ever the same Stamina Strength runs 2 outdoor fitness classes: - Crossfit (Mon & Wed 6-6:45pm and Wed & Fri 6am) - Boxing (Tues & Thurs 6-6:45pm and Tues & Thurs 6am) If you're like me and thought Crossft was for obsessed fitness freaks who could crack fleas on their weatherboard stomachs do not fear! Crossfit with Steve is normally a routine of running, abs, leg and arm work that relies on your own body strength and sometimes lightweights with high rep work. Now don't glaze over...the fact you are "working" out is a key point. I have not yet done boxing but apparently it is fun and done in pairs. I just don't like training with another person. Call me a hermit, whatever. The groups are not the most challenging fitness groups as people come from all different fitness levels to Steve's classes. However, Steve is smart enough to run a series of exercises where you can go at your own pace. So warning you do need some kind of personal motivation to get the most out of these sessions! So one, two - move those fitness shoes and then three, four you can fall to the floor!

Body Synergy, which used to be on Wheatland Street Seacliff has just moved to Balance For Health…read more The studio is bigger, and there is now more equipment. I attend the Body Synergy class once a week: 10 minutes cardio (usually on a bike, rowing machine or cross trainer), 10 minutes of one-on-one weight training, 10 minutes on the vibration machine, then 30 minutes Pilates. Classes are no bigger than 4 people, so the instructor is always keeping an eye on you (which means you can't slack off when you think no one is looking, ha!). My trainer Lesa is brilliant - the right mix of pushing you, but not going beyond what you should be doing. Body Synergy was created for people with back injuries in mind, but is suitable for all fitness levels. Highly recommended ... even for someone like me, who doesn't usually like exercise ;)

I did a trial membership here, and lasted all of two days. What can I say, I'm not big on fitness…read more The gym itself was okay. They have a range of equipment for all fitness types, and the trainer who ran through everything with me seemed to know what he was on about. The only thing that really annoyed me was nobody there really looked like they needed to lose weight or tone up. Made me feel uncomfortable. Don't think I'd go back again.

Fantastic environment, friendly staff, equipment is new & clean. Good for females -…read morenon-intimidating. Definately recommend this place!

I love these guys almost as much as I hate exercise for its own sake…read more Where the iNform team differs from other health and fitness providers is that each person I've worked with has shared novel, helpful anecdotes and analogies to GET THE MESSAGE THROUGH. It's sad how much we're disconnected from our physical needs and sad that we need a place like this. But I'm glad I've found them because I'm on the road to better fitness and here and I think I've worked out why they've been able to break through: they LISTEN to me and have gradually coached me in listening to myself. Heartily recommended, pun intended!

I need to state up front, I don't like exercising nor going to a gym. I don't understand people who…read moretalk about the adrenaline rush that comes with exercise. Whatever gene or part of the brain that creates that sensation is completely absent in me. I want the benefits of exercise without the effort. I have tried other gyms and exercise classes but in the end I have always given up. I didn't discover iNform by chance. It came highly recommended. I started with a "needs assessment". This looked at not only physical areas but psychological ones as well including motivation. A plan was developed, a trainer assigned and a review plan. The trainer was picked as someone who would be a "good fit" for me. The trainers I have had have amended my programme on days I have been down and have helped me address psychological barriers to well-being. They also work collaboratively with a number health professionals that I see. I still don't LOVE exercise but I am progressing physically and mentally thanks to the support of the team at iNform.