In the third instalment of our Fitness Roadtest, we exercise with a Personal Training Studio.

By now, you’d know I’m a bit of an exercise class junkie. I really enjoy the group dynamic, the music and it also appeals to my competitive streak!

Traditionally, I haven’t loved PT because it can be a fairly solitary activity…but it can achieve some incredible results – and I speak from experience.

In January last year, I was 13kg heavier…I started working with a Personal Trainer at the same time as tackling the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation, and the changes in my body and fitness were nothing short of amazing. The real changes, though, were in my mindset and my Personal Trainer played a huge part in that.

For the last year, though, I’ve been a group fitness girl…so it’s been a while since I’ve experienced that one-on-one fitness attention. But last week, I went along to Body Basics Private Fitness Studio & Nutrition Centre in Curtin to refresh my memory.

If you’re not into big shiny gyms and would rather stick pins in your eyes than sweat in front of a room full of fitness buffs, a private studio like Body Basics is perfect for you.

It’s an intimate room equipped with fixed and free weights, cardio machines and equipment to work your core; and is right opposite a large reserve that’s just made for outdoor exercise.

To give me a taste of the Personal Training experience, their Head Trainer, Matthew Quixley, sat me down and took me through the usual introductory process for a new client.

Forget what you see on The Biggest Loser – personal training doesn’t have to be about people screaming at you to run faster or lift more weight…rather, it’s about working with you to achieve your goals. It’s about making you accountable and supporting you throughout the process with expert knowledge and advice.

Matthew explains that, before a client even goes near a treadmill, it’s the brain that gets a real workout. They’re challenged to set goals, assess their current situation (mental and physical) and learn about the three key elements to making changes to their health and fitness: Rest (yes, rest!), Exercise and Nutrition.

Rather than just being about sweating it out in the gym, the personal training experience ensures you’re treating yourself right, eating well and challenges you to be accountable through the use of individualised exercise programs and nutritional plans.

When we got down to the actual exercise, I’d forgotten how much harder you work when you have someone pushing you. I’d also forgotten how much I loathe the rowing machine (thanks for the reminder, Mat!)

I spent some time on the treadmill, tested my muscles with some fixed weights, gave my core a good workout, and got my arse handed to me on a platter with some rower sprints. The best part? Although I felt motivated and urged on to do my best, Mat didn’t even come close to raising his voice and had a really encouraging style. At the end of my 30 minutes, I was well and truly spent.

But personal training doesn’t just have to be about you. If you’re like me and really enjoy the group dynamic, you can exercise with a friend. Body Basics also offers private group fitness classes for groups of five or more.

Or, if you like a bit of Commando action, go along to one of Body Basics’ Boot Camps where you could do anything from tyre training or lifting water containers – anything that gets the heart pumping and the body moving!

Sound like your cup of tea? Body Basics Fitness Studio and Nutrition Centre is offering HerCanberra readers three Personal Training sessions for $129!

New clients also receive a complimentary pass to a Boot Camp and Personal Training session. As an added bonus, you also receive an exercise program, nutritional advice, weekly recipes and fitness articles.

Click here to book your spot today or email info@bodybasics.net.au. Prefer to call? Get in touch on 0433 058 921 or 6282 8344