Evolving the Powerhouse: Glenn and Suzie’s story
Posted on
Spend enough time with an athlete, coach or fitness fiend and you’ll eventually reach the topic of ‘prehab’, injuries and rehabilitation.
The inevitable question always surfaces: “who’s your physio?”
For me, the answer to that question is Powerhouse Physiotherapy, and it’s always said with a sense of pride (perhaps even to the point of smugness). Being a client at Powerhouse feels like being part of a community, where you’re always treated like a member of the family—particularly by Director Suzie Goodall.
Powerhouse Physiotherapy has always felt like a bit of a secret—in part due to its location, being tucked away in the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham. Recently, however, the Centre has received a significant renovation, including the addition of café and bar Pick Up Stix, as well as an impressive new gym, Evolve.
The opening of Evolve gym holds special significance for Powerhouse—and not only from a geographical perspective.
You may recognise Glenn Turner’s name—after all, the two time Olympian and World Cup Goulburn striker has well and truly made a name for himself in hockey. Now, he can add gym owner to his impressive list of accolades, having opened Evolve to fuel his passion for athletic development.
“I was frustrated with some of the existing programs and things that I went through as an athlete, and I see others go through the same experiences, so that was a big reason for starting Evolve” says Glenn.
“Also, I just want to help people be more active—healthier and happier.”
Glenn’s photo appears on the wall at Powerhouse among marathon runners, footballers, hockey players and dozens of other athletes that Powerhouse has treated in their 12 years of operation. It’s fair to say that Glenn and Suzie have a close relationship as athlete and physiotherapist, a bond that’s now evolved into coach and physio.
Ask anyone who’s suffered an injury—returning to the gym can be a challenging process and one that’s further complicated when there’s a lack of communication between a coach or personal trainer and the client’s physiotherapist.
Not only are Evolve and Powerhouse co-located, but there’s an existing relationship between Glenn and the Powerhouse team, making the whole rehabilitation process smoother.
Both Glenn and Suzie work with athletes from various sports to keep them performing optimally. Don’t be fooled, though—Powerhouse and Evolve aren’t exclusively offered to athletes. In fact, recreational exercisers or—well, anyone—is welcomed with open arms.
“People will come in and say, ‘I didn’t come in because I thought it was just athletes and sporty people, and I’m not sporty’, and I’ll say ‘yes, but why would we treat you any differently?’ We can get you back to gardening faster if that’s what you’re into” says Suzie. “We’ll get you back better, faster and stronger to doing what you love.”
Despite Glenn’s background as a professional athlete, Evolve is geared towards everyone, regardless of background or ability. In addition to offering athlete coaching and personal training group classes.
“For me, I really just enjoy when people are having fun, and trying to mold their training in a way that’s going to make the best improvement for that individual as well” explains Glenn.
“At Evolve we have an overall approach to health and fitness that incorporates strength, mobility, high-intensity training, and endurance. We believe that this together with proper nutrition and wellness gives you the best long-term results.”
Suzie and Glenn’s relationship means that they can not only work closely with those clients who require rehabilitation from injury, but also offer ‘prehab’ or injury prevention.
“Prehab is going to help you stay on the field for longer, and perform better,” says Glenn. “One of the big things for us is movement—strength, movement, flexibility and making your body move better, so then you’re faster and your agility is better—but you’re also less likely to be injured.”
Glenn has the perfect background to be able to help people get fit and healthy. Similarly, Powerhouse has spent over a decade growing both its staff and client base, helping countless Canberrans overcome (and prevent) injury.
“We’ve got six physios now and a massage therapist” explains Suzie. “Their background go from exercise science to strength and conditioning… we have a really good group.”
Being injured is never a fun experience for anyone, but walking through the doors of Powerhouse is always a pleasure. From the small details like the latest magazines in the waiting room to the friendly and knowledgeable team, and the relationship Suzie has with surgeons, podiatrists and other health experts, you always feel like you’re being well taken care of.
The appeal in both Powerhouse and Evolve lies not only in the services themselves, but also the facilities. The Hockey Centre offers showers, a café, and services for children, so whether you’re a busy parent looking to get in a workout, or a professional heading off to work after your workout (with a coffee or post-workout smoothie), there’s everything you need to make the process as smooth and easy as possible.
the essentials
What: Powerhouse Physiotherapy and Evolve – Strength, Movement, and Performance
Where: ACT Hockey Centre, 196 Mouat Street, Lyneham
Contact: Phone Powerhouse on 02 6262 5740, or call 0412 353 313 to contact Evolve
Images by Tim Bean Photography
Leave a Reply