Spring shred

Quest Nutrition’s top tips to get you back on track and working towards your fitness goals.

Whether you were fortunate enough to travel to the Mediterranean during winter, or found yourself longing for the experience while indulging in comfort foods and you’ve managed to create your very own built-in puffer jacket, Quest Nutrition has top tips for your spring shred.

Getting back on track with your fitness goals after winter can be difficult. Indulgence in comfort foods, sedentary lifestyle, and weight gain during the colder months can create habits that are challenging to break. The cold weather and reduced sunlight, or post-holiday blues can dampen motivation to exercise and make it easier to stay indoors. Mentally transitioning from a relaxed mindset to a disciplined approach takes effort, and rebuilding fitness levels requires patience.

Despite these challenges, taking small steps, setting realistic goals, and maintaining consistency can help overcome them and regain momentum on your fitness quest.

Set clear and realistic goals: Define what you want to achieve during your spring shred. Make sure you set achievable goals, that are measurable, attainable, and relevant. This clarity will guide your efforts and help you stay motivated.

Focus on nutrition: Pay attention to your diet by incorporating a balanced and nutritious eating plan. Include a variety of whole, nutrient-dense foods such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Quest Nutrition offers a range of products that are high in protein and cut sugar and carbs, to complement your nutrition plan and provide convenient options when needed. The new soft and chewy Quest Frosted Cookies are our newest go-to snack at the moment, the perfect example of Quest Nutrition making the foods you love work for you, not against you.

Prioritise protein intake: Protein is important for muscle repair, satiety, and overall health. Make sure to include lean sources of protein in each meal, such as poultry, fish, lean meats, eggs, legumes, and dairy products. Quest protein bars and snacks offer a convenient and delicious way to increase your protein intake when necessary.

Watch portion sizes: Be mindful of portion control to maintain a caloric deficit, which is essential for fat loss. Use measuring tools or follow portion guidelines to avoid overeating.

Incorporate exercise into your routine: Engage in regular physical activity to boost your metabolism and burn calories. Include a combination of cardiovascular exercises (such as jogging, cycling, or swimming) and strength training (using weights or bodyweight exercises) to maximise your results.

Stay hydrated: Hydration is important for overall health and weight management. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support digestion, regulate body temperature, and optimise your workouts.

Prioritise sleep and stress management: Adequate sleep and stress management is crucial for your overall wellbeing and weight management. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and incorporate stress-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga, or hobbies to your routine.

Track your progress: Keep track of your progress to stay motivated and make adjustments where necessary. Monitor measurements, take progress photos, record your workouts, and note how you feel physically and mentally. Celebrate your achievements along the way to maintain a positive mindset.

Remember, everyone's fitness journey is unique, so listen to your body, make adjustments as needed, and treat yourself to guilt-free Quest Snacks daily for optimum happiness and incredible nutritional benefits.

Fighting fit

Rachael Ferguson’s stage four cancer diagnosis was a stark reminder that health really is our wealth

Photos Tim Ingle + supplied

When Rachael Ferguson was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer no one was more shocked than the former competitive bodybuilder herself. At just 32 years old, Rachael was the picture of health.

“I’d just got back into training,” explains Rachael. “I had been a member of Clubfit Baywave for five years and did a bit of running, too.”

At the time she was feeling a bit more fatigued than normal. Having just got married, Rachael put her tiredness down to the stress of the wedding and all the COVID-19 lockdowns that came afterwards.

Rachael and her husband Glen were planning to have a baby in the near future so she visited her doctor, to make sure she had nothing to worry about.

“Hand on heart, if we weren't planning to have a baby, I probably wouldn’t have made that call,” admits Rachael. “Had I not gone, it’d be a different picture for me today.”

After her diagnosis she had what is called definitive surgery treatment
– surgery on a sufficient margin of tissue. Her margins returned clear, but she still had to undergo chemotherapy, to catch any rogue cells.

Twelve rounds of chemo later, Rachael is thankfully one of the lucky few to survive stage four cancer. 

“My treatment took place over six months, with one every fortnight.
I just kept an open mind every time and didn't fixate on side effects.
Plus I worked out the whole way through.”

Her doctors recommended she continue her fitness regime as best she could.

“I was told it’s really important to replenish your body after chemo, because it absolutely knocks you. Exercise can be the last thing you want to do and often I'd feel average for a couple of days after treatment,
but as soon as I would start to feel okay, I’d either be out going for a walk or back in the gym.”

Rachael continued training at Clubfit throughout, allowing her to still attend her favourite classes of Body Step and Body Pump.

“Everyone at Clubfit was so great,” says Rachael. “They knew what I was going through and where I was at. It’s always been such a nice community to be a part of. There's no judgement and there’s so much support for everybody, which you don't often find in a gym.” 

Just six weeks after her last round of chemo, Rachael fell pregnant with her son, George. These days, with George having just turned one, Rachael still makes sure she prioritises fitness. She goes to Clubfit classes twice during the week and once on the weekend when George is at his swimming lesson at Baywave below the gym.

“I really believe being healthy and fit played a huge part in me fighting
the cancer the way I did,” says Rachael. “Everyone knows what the gym means to me now. It’s more than just staying in shape. A lot of women believe that once they become a mother their needs don't matter anymore, but you can't be your best if you're not feeling right. In many ways, looking after yourself is the most important thing.” 

Clubfit.co.nz

The Collective Training

Owners and couple Ariana Grant and Kaz Adams give us the lowdown on one of the Mount’s newest fitness hubs.

Who is this type of fitness best suited to?
We cater to people wanting to not only improve their current fitness, but also create a lifestyle which will provide longevity in movement and mobility. We take an individual approach with each group we train and provide regressions and progressions to all levels of fitness. The class sizes are limited to allow for this intimate type of training.

Tell us about the benefits.
Our method of training is effective and is designed in a way that individuals don't get bored. Our basic training model allows you to improve your overall strength and fitness while also improving your mobility. 

Why do people come to you?
Initially people come to us with the intention of losing weight or building strength, but those who stay love the community and buy into the overall plan which is constant improvement - not just physically, but mentally as well. Our members are able to build a lifestyle based on the same values we follow: Consistency, honesty, integrity and culture.

What is your top fitness tip?
Never be afraid to try something new or something that seems too hard. You will be surprised at what you are truly capable of, but you will never know what that is if you do not try.

What do people say about you?
“Since joining The Collective Training (TCT) I have lost 20kg in five months. I have joined other gyms but never had good results like I am getting at The Collective. My strength and fitness has improved so much.” 

thecollectivetraining.co.nz

Float Fitness

Float’s owner and fitness fanatic Louise Kirkham loves introducing a new form of exercise to newbies. 

Who is this type of fitness best suited to?
Float Fitness is for anyone looking for a body, mind and soul workout. Whether it’s been five minutes or five years since you last moved your body, there’s a place for you at Float.

What kind of classes do you run?
Our main technique that we offer is AntiGravity Fitness (AGF), an aerial fitness and yoga class in a hammock. AGF is a fusion of pilates, yoga and aerial arts. Some of our classes are restorative with breath work, while others get the heart rate up. We teach non-hammock classes too –UBOUND, which is trampolining to an upbeat soundtrack, Power Yoga (on a yoga mat) and we offer frequent one-off workshops and events such as Laughing Yoga, Floating Meditation, breathing workshops and our sell-out Silky Cocoon to name a few.

What is Float?
In addition to being a fitness studio, we are a community-focused collective of like-minded people coming together to share our journey of health and wellness. We have a retail space offering mindful living products for the active lifestyle as well as sustainable and local gifts for everyone. 

Tell us about the benefits of Float?
Hanging upside down in a hammock releases a whole cocktail of happy hormones – endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin. If you had a really bad day and just want to let it go, there is nothing better than hanging upside down! We often see people rushing in, dropping their stuff and hanging upside down... They always leave elated.

What sets you apart?
Our vision is to provide a one-stop health hub with a luxury boutique studio environment, offering classes and experiences you won’t find down the road. We truly believe that we can improve your physical and mental wellbeing in just a few days. So much so, that we offer a 30-day money back guarantee. If you're not feeling, moving and looking better after your 30 days, we will give you your money back. We believe that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Can I do your classes if I haven’t exercised in ages?
Absolutely! We offer beginner classes and suggest taking two of these before progressing to general classes, but there is no limit so we encourage people to take as many of these as makes them comfortable, for those that need more time to settle in. The hammock offers so much support that the usual strength and flexibility required for yoga and pilates is not necessary here.

Are your classes safe for pregnant women?
Pregnant women definitely do attend our classes. We always remind everyone to listen to their own bodies.

What are you most proud of?
We love the space! The studio is really special and unexpected on the Mount main street. We love the surprise people get when walking into our space. Our studio is custom-built, fitted with 100-year-old wharf beams as the main feature. Our beams are often a real talking point. It’s really unique in itself, and then on top of that, we’re offering a really unique form of exercise that a lot of people haven’t tried before. 

floatfitness.co.nz

Fit for purpose

Editor-turned-fitness-aficionado Hayley Barnett talks setbacks, swimwear and sugar… And approaching the silly season with a renewed sense of purpose.

Ihave a confession to make. I didn’t go to the gym for two weeks. (That’s a lie. It was closer to a month.) But it wasn’t entirely my fault. I was sick for a week with a cold – potentially my fault for attacking my immune system with an awful lot of sugar. Then it rained for days.

You’re probably wondering what the weather’s got to do with going to the gym. Well, it dampens my spirit and my will to move outside of my house is then limited.

Looking back on my life, both these excuses seem to be recurring problems. For me, seasonal depression and sugar addiction go hand in hand. In spring the weather gets warmer, but it also rains more than ever, and the
pressure of attaining that “beach body” starts to build. 

Now, I admit I’ve never actually attained the beach body, partly due to the pressure, but also due to Christmas, New Year’s, my birthday and then Easter. Suddenly I’ve gained an extra five kilos on top of the five I vowed to lose in the first place. 

Keeping all this in mind, I recently returned to the gym with a renewed sense of determination. Not only am I dragging myself out of bed every day to be greeted by the friendly staff at Clubfit Baywave, I’m also pushing myself to try new things. In the past week alone I’ve tried a Body Pump class, a spin class and I’ve even purchased a swimsuit – one of those sporty looking ones with the racerback, just like a real athlete! I’m yet to hop in the pool, but I have high hopes. The fact I don’t look like an athlete in my new swimwear sends my anxiety soaring when I think of stepping out. I look like I haven’t been to the gym in a month. Which is true. 

So I’m back to my three sessions a week and I’ve also shelved the sugar – something I’ve struggled to do my
entire life. Remembering that everything boils down to habits and reinforcing that message every day is crucial to success. Which I guess is why Clubfit is committed to drumming that into its clients. My trainer, Kiriwai’s, voice constantly echoes in my head these days – “Consistency really is the key.”  

clubfit.co.nz

The fitness diaries

New beginnings. Editor Hayley Barnett faces her fitness fears - and the dreaded fat scanner - to embark on a year-long self-improvement journey.

Photos Salina Galvan

Gyms have never been my jam. I joined one with a friend back in high school and we would regularly show up, hit the stationary bikes for five to 10 minutes, then saunter off to the sauna feeling very pleased with ourselves. It wasn’t until I joined my university gym that I realised I wasn’t really achieving anything. All that beer, combined with not growing taller, wasn’t doing me any favours either. So I started running, outside, away from the gym.

Over the years, the running has helped to keep me fairly fit, but as you get older, apparently, you need to build muscle everywhere. Something to do with your metabolism slowing down and hormones being thrown out of whack.

I liked the idea of joining ClubFit at Baywave because it was close to home, my kids did their swimming lessons there and I wanted to try the Body Combat class my friend always raves about. But, on my first consult with trainer Kiriwai Poroa, she advised that kicking my way to a stronger body in the beginning was not a wise move, and so reality kicked in instead.

She suggested having a BodyScan, a machine that measures everything from your weight to how much muscle and visceral fat you have. ‘Visceral what?’ I hear you say. The fat around your organs - the most dangerous fat. It turns out mine wasn’t that bad. My muscle to fat ratio, however, wasn’t great. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, and Kiriwai had a plan. 

For the first few months, I am to focus on resistance training. Not only does it build muscle strength and tone, it also protects your joints from injury - magic words for a runner. She set up a programme including a circuit of five resistance machines, two body weight exercises and two cardio machines for warm up and cool down. I then downloaded the ClubFit app, where my workout is kept, showing exactly how many reps, weight and time to be spent on each exercise, so there are no excuses to be made, like blaming a foggy memory. The app even includes videos showing you the correct form for each exercise. You can connect it to other devices and monitor your heart rate while you exercise, as well as track outdoor movement, calories burned and distance travelled. It’s an all-in-one hub for your health and fitness. Technology has come a long way since my uni days.

Together with two resistance days a week, we agreed I would attend one Body Balance class per week, to get my stretch on and relax those muscles after a couple of outdoor running sessions. This is getting serious.

The biggest motivator (besides having my face splashed across a magazine) is going to be my visit back with the old BodyScan machine in three months’ time. Watch this space!

Follow Hayley’s journey at @unomagnz

clubfit.co.nz

Prioritise you

Clubfit’s Stu Stevenson says it’s time to take control of your health and wellbeing now, not tomorrow.

For most of us, the past two years have been challenging both mentally and physically, and it looks like 2022 is shaping up to be the same. Although we can’t always control what is happening externally, we do always have the choice to prioritise our own health and wellbeing. 

Exercise has the unique capacity to help us both cope with stress and develop resilience. The positive effects of regular exercise are broad and well documented. Don’t just think of exercise as physical – the routine and commitment to regular movement will benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. 

“Don’t wait for the right time, or the pandemic to be over, to focus on your own personal wellbeing.”

Let’s forget the phrase ‘Go Hard or Go Home’. Find a way to move your body that makes you feel great and stick with it! Don’t wait for the right time or the pandemic to be over to focus on your own personal wellbeing. Start now and look after yourself, so that you can better cope with life’s challenges and responsibilities.  

When choosing the right gym environment for you, make sure that your membership includes a personalised workout programme to get you started, access to a range of exercise options (for lots of variety) and ongoing support. 

The team at Clubfit will work with you to achieve your wellbeing goals. They are with you for the journey. 

They offer a goal-setting session and workout programme to get you on your way. If group fitness is more your thing, they offer over 50 classes a week ranging from Spin Classes to Body Balance.

But remember, the only person that can get you moving is you. 

Clubfit.co.nz 

Measuring success in the gym with Clubfit’s Stu Stevenson

It’s all good to want to look great, says our Clubfit manager fitness columnist Stu Stevenson, but is that your true measure of success?

PHOTOS Hunter Studios

When it comes to health and fitness, there are many ways to define success and measure your results, but the real question is: What do they mean to you? It’s not what others tell you they should be or what social media leads you to believe.

Figure out what you want from your body and from an overall health perspective. Then create your own success metrics that are less about the number on the scales and more about how you feel. Consider these questions when measuring your health and wellness progress:

How do you feel? Paying attention to your mood and energy level is a great indicator of whether you’re on track or not.

How quickly do you recover from exercise? Are activities that were once challenging becoming easier? As we get fitter and stronger, it’s important to reflect on how much easier exercise becomes (and remember that progressive overload is a simple yet often underrated exercise principle). Can you lift more, run further, last longer? Even a marginal improvement is progress.

How well are you sleeping? Improved sleep quality over time is an indicator of success. More sleep (we should aim for a minimum of seven to eight hours each night) and less stress will also give you a better chance of achieving your health and fitness goals.

What’s your resting heart rate? A normal resting heart rate for adults is between 60-100 beats per minute. Checking that yours is either stable or slightly decreasing over time is a simple fitness test you can perform when you wake up each day, going old school with a watch or with a wearable device that’ll do the counting for you.

What do you weigh? Actually, this simple measurement isn’t always as helpful as people think. In fact, if you’re going to measure your body weight, it’s important to assess it alongside your body composition (the proportion of fat and non-fat mass in your body). No matter what your goal, focussing on building or maintaining lean muscle sets a platform for success.

True fitness success is more than just achieving a certain body composition or look. Of course, it’s good to look great, but it’s more important to feel great and have a body that can perform when you need it to. Although there’s nothing wrong with having a weight-loss or aesthetic focus, it can take the joy out of exercising and make it a punishing journey, so I encourage you to work with a coach in an environment that promotes positivity around goal-setting and a balanced approach to defining success.

At Clubfit, we can work with you to create a fun, sustainable workout plan that’s focussed on making you feel good – plus all Baywave members receive a free Evolt 360 body scan to help you track your health and wellness journey. Here’s to your success!

CLUBFIT.CO.NZ

Get motivated at F45 The Mount with new owners Brett and Nicole Taylor

F is for functional, friendship and fun - and forty-five minute group workouts that really deliver results, as Nicky Adams finds out.

WORDS Nicky Adams PHOTOS Jahl Marshall

F45 first came onto my radar about three years ago, when I noticed that one of my friends had – within what seemed like a startlingly short time frame – honed her body into one that was svelte, toned and stop-in-your-tracks what-the-heck-have-you-been-doing-to-get-that-figure? The secret, she informed me, was F45. 

Now, as pretty much everyone knows, when it comes to fitness, there’s no quick fix or easy way, but F45 has developed a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) formula that keeps its clients keen through short bursts of energy that maximise results. The gyms themselves are part of a franchise and follow the same model, although each site brings something different to the mix. 

The Mount Maunganui branch of F45 has recently been taken over by Nicole and Brett Taylor, who both have extensive experience with F45, and a real passion for fitness. Nicole is a clinical exercise physiologist who has also worked as an F45 manager, and Brett has been in the industry for more than 12 years. Owning their own F45 gym revolves around their genuine desire to be instrumental in transforming people’s lives, as well as their perceptions of health and wellbeing. They love that F45 is an incredibly effective form of exercise, not only for athletes who already have a high level of fitness, but also for those at the start of their fitness journey.

The couple were drawn to F45 The Mount by the phenomenal community that already existed here. According to Brett, “The vibe grabs your attention straight away. When people come in the door, they realise, ‘Hey, this is cool’ – and that’s what appealed to Nicole and me. We felt the connection with our members from the first day.” 

Family environment

“Once you come into the gym, you’re part of our family,” says Nicole. “It’s a really inclusive environment – the members, trainers, everyone is welcoming.” 

The pair have a definite vision of where they want to take the gym. Nicole’s clear that “although we want to grow our membership base, we also want to make sure our current members are valued”.  

Brett believes what sets them apart is that “we understand what our members want: unique driving through our trainers – strength, encouragement, understanding.” In addition to the focus on individual goals, other benefits of F45 The Mount (aside from the all-important sparklingly clean bathrooms) are the class format and instructor ratio. 

For the uninitiated, the set-up at F45 is slightly different to the average gym. Specific equipment is assigned to each 45-minute workout and exercise sequences are projected via screens on the wall. This frees up the trainers to move around the room to help and motivate class participants. 

As Brett says, “You’d seldom find a class elsewhere where you’d see two personal trainers engaging at the same time. Here, you get that one-on-one connection, which ensures correct technique.” Furthermore, they pick only trainers who have preventative injury-management experience. “This enables them to motivate our members to push past comfort but stay within their physical limits.”

Accountability for the win

F45 is fast-paced. Your interest is held by a range of exercises within a number of different sessions, and by different concepts introduced into the mix. A good starting point for any of the opportunities and challenges is a 10-minute benchmark fitness test known as the Playoffs. 

F45 The Mount’s members genuinely support each other, which Brett says is part of what makes the studio’s regular six-week challenges so successful. A combination of exercise and diet, these challenges are where people can really see not just results but transformations – and says they work because “when you’re in a group environment, you don’t want to let anyone down – everyone keeps each other accountable.” 

It’s hard not to be impressed by Nicole and Brett’s expertise and enthusiasm. After I gave F45 The Mount a whirl, I’d barely left the building before I was messaging friends to see who wanted to sign up with me.

The mind-body connection at Natural Fit

An exercise revolution is afoot at this Mount gym. We spoke to co-owner Beth Ratcliffe about their purpose.

UNO: What’s Natural Fit great at?

BETH RATCLIFFE: Our ‘what’ is grounded in purpose. We’re good at understanding what our members need because we aim to listen more than we speak to gain a deep appreciation for where they’re at. This begins by getting to know them and allows us to offer well-coached classes and personalised programmes, and to create a relaxed community that cares about connection, support and expertise in sport and health performance, exercise rehabilitation, dynamic functional movement techniques and the very best yoga offerings.

Why do people come to you? We feel the entire fitness industry needs a shake-up. People are walking through the doors of Natural Fit because we’re a signal in an industry full of noise. We teach people to move and function with self-awareness and control, and to build on their strengths. We’re proud of the beautiful environment we’ve created in the heart of the Mount, but we’re so much more than a room full of exercise equipment. We know that change comes from within, and that it’s not so much what you do but how you do it that counts. At Natural Fit, success isn’t measured in body scans or on the scales. Igniting healthy habits; moving with true purpose; feeling in control; celebrating strength, endurance and flexibility outside of the gym; and gaining confidence is how we notice and name success. 

Who are you best suited to? We have a diverse range of members, from people who’ve learned to stand again following disease or injury, right through to competitive athletes. People in our community have begun to notice that we’re different. An entire community is choosing to learn and relearn how to move with purpose and trust their intuition. Fitness doesn’t always need to occur at a million miles an hour. In order to meet goals and make an impact, it needs to be purposeful and be a constant practice of self-reflection. By facilitating people to make a brain and body connection every time they choose a class, or to put in the hard work of following their goal-oriented programme, they’re forming healthy habits that can be applied outside of our supportive gym environment. Currently, the intended vibe within Natural Fit is a mirror for the diversities that exist in our community. We proudly have all members “come as they are” and help them articulate the goals that will affect their wellbeing. 

What are you proud of at your gym? It’s the meaningful connections we have with our members and that they have among themselves that we’re most proud of at Natural Fit. Our membership is diverse and although each individual has unique goals, the culture that exists within Natural Fit means that we all work together and inspire each other. 

What kind of classes do you run? Cardio, strength, mobility, agility… What makes our classes unique is less about what we do and more about how we do it. We teach people to move well, listen to their brain and body, and challenge their individual limits. 

Who is this type of fitness best suited to? We welcome people that are willing to challenge the status quo and noise that exists within the industry. Our membership is full of people who understand that in order to take control over their health, they must be accountable to themselves and make inherent changes, rather than rely on the variety of bells and whistles that promise a shortcut to success.

What are your top tips for getting beach-ready? If you’re confident in your own skin, then you’re beach-ready. This is a function of being ‘strong’ mentally, emotionally and physically. Learning to move with self-awareness and control helps instill this sense of confidence, which sets you up to enjoy feeling good in any situation. 

NATURALFIT.CO.NZ

18 TAWA STREET, MOUNT MAUNGANUI

07 542 3163

VPT Health Club: Omokoroa’s gym for everyone

UNO: So, what’s your gym great at?

VANCE ELLIOTT (owner): We’re great at being accepting and encouraging of our members, and we work hard to make all of our clients feel comfortable to be in our space. We make sure we know as much as possible about why they came to us, so we can best help them to reach their goals. We really try to cater to everyone and believe listening to client feedback is key to being a quality gym. Why do people come to you? Because we’re not just an equipment-based gym. At VPT, we’re about creating lifestyles and encouraging positive habits. What kind of classes do you run? Our gym boasts a massive number of classes for our size – currently 25-plus, all included in our membership fees. They range from beginner to advanced circuit training, box-fit, Pilates, Body Balance, yoga, and Pound with Aotearoa’s only New Zealand-certified instructor. We’re also lucky to have an incredible karate teacher, who’s a New Zealand champ – he works with us to run after-school sessions for local kids, so kids can do karate while their parents work out.

UNO: What other services do you offer?

V: We run seminars and supermarket tours that allow us to educate our clients about healthy living, mental health, injury prevention, rehabilitation, exercise techniques, how to read food labels and more. How do we book? When they sign up or start a trial, each member gets access to our app that lets them book classes, personal training sessions, seminars and events. It also allows them to add and track their health and fitness goals, add and edit measurements with photos, view any workouts we’ve uploaded for them, message us, view their membership details and update personal information. What are you most proud of at your gym? We’re really proud of what we offer our clients in our great little community. For the dream we have, we might be starting small, but we’ve been all about quality from the get-go. What are your top tips for getting healthy and fit for summer? Surround yourself with people who will support your goals, be consistent – and join VPT Health Club!

MEET THE OWNER
Meet the owner Vance Elliott Vance started VPT as a small personal-training business in Hamilton, with a dream to one day run his own gym – a dream that has now come true with VPT Health Club. Committed to creating healthier lifestyles in the community, and specialising in rehabilitation, weight loss and habit-changing, he has a bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science, along with training in injury prevention, rehabilitation, sports training, and pre- and post-natal exercise.

VPTHEALTHCLUB.CO.NZ
168 OMOKOROA ROAD
OMOKOROA, TAURANGA
027 333 1465

Looking for a bit of variety in your exercise regime? Clubfit could be it!

Its availability at not one but two sites – one in Tauranga and one at the Mount – isn’t the only thing that makes this gym ultra-accessible.

UNO: What’s Clubfit good at?

Personal trainer Mark Berry: We build great relationships and support our customers through their exercise journey while making it fun. For us, it’s about the long game. Beyond just getting a new member started, we’re here to keep them motivated so they make steady progress towards their goals and enjoy the journey. 

What do you specialise in? Functional training, strength and conditioning, rehab, CrossFit and Olympic lifting.

Who are you best suited to? Anyone looking for a modern gym that provides value for money, great service and support will find it at Clubfit. We also offer great variety, with more than 60 group fitness classes per week. Our gym is also unique in that it offers gym and swim memberships; you can choose a membership that also provides access to five pool facilities, including spa, sauna and aqua-aerobics classes – and even the iconic Mount Hot Pools. Clubfit caters for all levels and the variety of workout options means there’s truly something for everyone. Join the club for a fun, supportive exercise programme that gets results!

What kinds of classes do you offer? Les Mills Classes are some of the world’s most popular – we’ve got Body Combat, RPM and Body Step to get the blood pumping, CX Worx and Body Pump for strength, Grit and Sprint for high-intensity training, and BodyBalance and Tone for muscle tone and flexibility.

Our Clubfit Home Grown Programmes (HGP) are our own range of classes designed to complement the Les Mills offering. HGP Hiit ’n’ Run and HGP Blitz are intense circuit-style classes that are suitable for intermediate to advanced fitness levels, while HGP Mobilise and HGP Full Function are perfect for members who are returning to exercise and need to take it slow. There’s also Yoga, Pilates and Zumba classes available, and with our gym and swim memberships, you can also attend AquaFit classes at Baywave. 

What are you proud of at your gym? Without a doubt, it’s our team, from our group fitness instructors through to our amazing reception staff. The level of support and commitment they provide to our customers is outstanding and keeps people coming back for more. Around 30 percent of our new customers each month come to us through a referral from a current member.

We’re in the business of helping people live better lives and seeing people transform in terms of confidence, mental wellbeing and overall health is what we’re here for. Although we hear lots of success stories about physical transformations and fitness gains, now more than ever we’re hearing about the mental benefits that exercising at Clubfit is providing. People often comment about the fear and anxiety they’ve had to overcome just to get started on their fitness journey, and these same people also often tell us just how significant being involved in a good exercise community and developing healthy habits have been in transforming many other areas of their lives. That’s the stuff that makes us feel good. 

What are your top tips for getting beach-ready? Consistency is king or queen, so show up often, do the work and enjoy the process. Also, remember that your body isn’t your enemy, so be good to it, build up slowly and watch the results start to appear.

Meet the trainers:

Mark Berry

Mark’s a Clubfit personal trainer and group fitness instructor who has worked in the industry for a decade – a job he loves. He brings an all-round training philosophy to the gym floor and his down-to-earth approach is based around the following points: aim to move your body the way it was designed to move; consistency is key – and not just in the fitness world; enjoy what you do – it’ll be a boring life if you don’t; success comes in many forms – the number on the scales is just that and nothing else; and strive for balance in all areas of training and life.

Monique VanDijk 

Monique works at Clubfit as a fitness instructor – a role that’s all about coaching and support. She started her journey as a group fitness instructor through her interest in sports performance and holds a degree in Sport Science. Today, her key passions include strength training, CrossFit, Olympic lifting and gymnastics. She says she really enjoys her role and connecting with a wide variety of people through exercise, and believes quality movement in exercise is paramount to quality movement in everyday life. Her goal is to help people find a method of training that’s effective and enjoyable for them, so they can move for as long as they’re able.

CLUBFIT.CO.NZ

1 KITEROA STREET, GREERTON, TAURANGA, & CORNER GIRVEN AND GLOUCESTER ROADS, MT MAUNGANUI

07 577 8555

Everything under one roof

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Fit Nation

You might catch a glimpse of boxing champ Joseph Parker when you work out at this budding super-gym.

Meet the owners.

Monique Alvarez:  With a background in beauty therapy and customer service, Monique understands the importance of ensuring every client is happy and comfortable with their experience at Fit Nation as soon as they step through the doors. She wants her members to feel as though they are part of a Fit Nation family and is committed to making sure she builds that connection with everyone. As someone who has a passion for taking care of people and helping to bring out the best in them, Monique’s approach to health and wellbeing is an overall one. She recognises the benefits that come with feeling good about yourself and believes nourishing your body from the inside out is just as important as fitness and exercise. Monique is looking forward to utilising the skills she has gained over the years to help people reach their goals through being attentive, supportive and a present part of their journey. 

Nic Haldezos: At 19 years old, Nic joined the New Zealand Army, where he learned discipline and the importance of a strong work ethic. Those qualities have proven fruitful in his career. With a background in marketing and having graduated from AUT’s sport and recreation programme, Nic’s career in the fitness industry has spanned 10-plus years. He has spent much of his career managing and opening gyms across New Zealand and he’s excited about his new role at Fit Nation with big plans to help people make positive changes in their lives. Nic is also the son of a hairdresser, which is where he witnessed and learned about communication, mastering conversational skills and understanding the value of listening to a client. He believes being able to help one person can create change in a whole community and he’s committed to making that happen with the Fit Nation team. 

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What sets your gym apart from any other in Tauranga? Nic: It is 2000sqm of pure training turf and every corner of the place has been thought out so meticulously. There is nothing like this in New Zealand. We have an on-site massage therapist, nutritionist, physiotherapist, personal trainers, 360 biometric scans, a cafe and smoothie bar and boutique toilets and showers. We have 2021 Technogym cardio equipment, there are four separate group fitness rooms that will each run 15 classes, we have a full comprehensive boxing studio and spin rooms with walls that will light up with heart rates and exercise displays. It’s an experience. 

What are some of the best features of your facility? Monique: We’re a one-stop shop gym and wellness centre. We’re able to offer everything in one place and the welcoming approach we have from staff shows we want to be there with you for your whole journey. We have infrared saunas, a Kids care zone so parents can work out knowing their children are taken care of, on top of the cardio and weights equipment, yoga, pilates and functional HIIT classes. Members can burn up to 600 calories a class. We’re just trying to offer everything under one roof. 

How important is having a sense of community in your gym? Nic: Everyone can go to a gym and get results but not everyone can go to a gym and say they know everyone by name and can connect to each and every single staff member as well. We’re actually trying to change people’s lives here and by changing people’s lives we can change a community. What we create here in our first Fit Nation we want to be able to spread that through New Zealand. 

What experience do you hope clients have when they’re at your gym? Monique: A positive experience as soon as they walk in the door. They might be stressed or rushing in from a busy day but after being greeted by our team and the positive energy we have at Fit Nation I hope they walk out from the whole experience feeling amazing each and every time. 

@fit_nation_nz

150 Newton Street, Mount Maunganui - 07 575 0470

The miracle man

WORDS DANIEL DUNKLEY / PHOTOS SALINA GALVAN

Olly Coffey helps people out of wheelchairs and onto their feet. Daniel Dunkley visited his NeuroPhysics Therapy centre at the Mount to discover how he does it.

I’m lying flat on my back with my legs in the air. They’re suspended beneath an exercise bar and suddenly begin to tremble uncontrollably. My muscles twitch independently from the rest of my body, causing an unusual sensation right up to my stomach.

If this sounds out of the ordinary, it’s because it is. I’m at Olly Coffey’s NeuroPhysics therapy practice at the Mount’s SwitchedOn exercise and wellness centre, receiving treatment for a back injury that has been causing me pain for a few months. UNO has sent me here to uncover the secrets of the approach that has revolutionised physical therapy and is changing lives.

There are two NeuroPhysics therapy centres in New Zealand; Olly runs this one, and the other is in Auckland. He’s been practising NeuroPhysics for about four years, having learned his trade from Australian founder Ken Ware. From his base at the Mount, Olly runs  eight-week courses comprised of four intensive two-hour sessions in week one, plus ongoing follow-up.

To his patients, Hamilton-born Olly is a miracle worker. From the wheelchair-bound man he helped walk a year after his snowboarding accident, to the tetraplegic who can now stand, to the sports star regaining feeling after a serious accident, they all say the same thing: he produces extraordinary results. Olly, on the other hand, is more modest about his achievements. “I help people make changes themselves,” he says. “I’m a facilitator in that sense, just observing the penny-drop moments.”

NeuroPhysics therapy is a revolutionary form of treatment that puts a holistic spin on standard physical rehab. Rather than homing in on an isolated area of pain or damage, it treats the body as a whole and harnesses the brain’s power to help in the rehabilitation process. It’s less about building strength in the body, and more about building our awareness of how the body works – physical therapy with a hint of mindfulness.

The human brain uses trillions of neural pathways to send messages around the body, but in the event of an injury or medical condition, these pathways can become blocked or damaged. When the brain is used to sending signals along a particular pathway, any disruption affects function and sensation. NeuroPhysics attempts to open up other neural pathways, to find routes past the pain zone or area of damage.

Olly likens neural pathways to a synchronised school of fish. He says that when an injury happens, it’s like “a shark breaking up the school”. The ‘fish’ (messages) have to figure out a new way to continue their journey together.

How does the body find new neural pathways? A key part of the treatment involves making your body tremor; you may have felt a similar feeling while holding a difficult pose during a yoga class, lifting weights or holding a glass of water out in front of you. By performing slow, steady exercises using light weights, the muscles are stimulated and begin to tremor, and NeuroPhysics practitioners believe this is the body’s own calibration system being spurred into action, as it attempts to open up neural pathways around the body.

As well as firing up the body’s internal calibration system, NeuroPhysics aims to increase your awareness of your body. Posture, for example, is important. Hunched shoulders or inward-facing knees are signs that your body is in fight-or-flight mode, and in this stressed state, you’re in no position to heal. Olly wants his patients to enter a ‘growth’ state – the opposite of fight or flight. To achieve this, they’re encouraged to puff out their chest, close their eyes and allow their body to do the work.

“The body has an innate ability to heal itself, but we seldom give it a window of opportunity,” says Olly. “We can think ourselves into a state of anxiety and it holds us in the wrong physical state. You can’t isolate the musculoskeletal system, neural system or cardiovascular system – it’s all part of the bigger picture. The brain is coordinating everything; if your body is an orchestra, then the brain is the conductor.”

Olly says he has made the biggest difference to people who are living with chronic pain, and with life-changing injuries and conditions such as spinal cord damage and Parkinson’s. After my two-hour NeuroPhysics session, my back pain has significantly reduced and I have a sense of focus and clarity that I rarely experience. It is extraordinary – I’ve definitely joined the ranks of those who think so. Read on for stories of three other Kiwis who are benefiting from Olly’s work.

THE MAGIC TOUCH

Tauranga’s Casey Waterhouse suffered a severe motocross injury that left her paralysed from the chest down. She began seeing Olly since last June and says the sessions are like “slowly reawakening the senses”. “I had no feeling when I started with Olly. Now when my body is in tremor, I feel little flickers right down to my hip.” Casey’s making progress she never thought was possible. “Some therapists practically crossed me out; Olly has given me a chance. He calms me down and I’m starting to feel more.”

Another convert is White Sox player Jennifer Feret-Brear. Jennifer suffered an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee and was anxious to recover in time for August’s Women’s Softball World Championship in Japan. After four sessions with Olly, she was able to return to the game after 18 months out. “I could perform movements I’d been practising for a year but unable to master, and the calm and clarity of thought was even more rewarding,” she says. “For me, it was similar to the feeling you get after yoga, but with far less physical stress and effort.”

Matt Hall broke his neck in a swimming-pool accident last year, leaving him a tetraplegic. After making little progress with a regular physio, he discovered Olly. “It was a change of mentality,” he says. “I moved away from a model with very limited expectations of what
I could do. In three months, I went from not being able to feel my leg to standing on my own. After five months, I was walking on crutches. For me, it’s nothing short of a miracle.” Matt credits Olly’s calm demeanour for his progress. “His personality makes the difference. He’s a remarkable human being and has a real presence.” Matt’s now back working in Singapore, where he’s continuing his recovery. In the past month, he has started to be able to feel the sensations of hot and cold on his hands – something that would have been unthinkable a year ago. He wants to spread the word so NeuroPhysics therapy can help others. “Applying this process over several months can make a colossal difference to your life,” he says. “So many people out there could be recovering like me. It really can help.”

Path of progress: Motu Trails, Opotiki

How a decade-old cycle trail is delighting both tourists and the local community contributing to its success.

WORDS Sue Hoffart PHOTOS Jim Robinson, Neil Robert Hutton + Cam Mackenzie

A scenic dunes trail that has resolved a watery paradox for the coastal town of Opōtiki is proving a massive drawcard for both locals and tourists.

Ancient waka travellers and modern-day boat owners have always been able to access the ocean by way of twin rivers that wrap around the Eastern Bay of Plenty township. But it took a cycle trail and handsome suspension bridge spanning Otara River to connect walkers, joggers and bikers with the gloriously long stretch of coastline on their doorstep.

Most of the spectacular Motu Trails cycleway network lies inland, where rugged grade three and four tracks attract hardy mountain bikers keen to test themselves on backcountry roads and steep forest trails. Collectively, they range over 30km of track and more than 150km of gravel and backcountry roads. The most mellow section, though, begins with a pedestrian bridge on the northern edge of town and a delightfully scenic, undulating gravel track running parallel to the shoreline.

Increasing popularity

It is this 9km grade two “dunes trail” that has given the town its beach, according to tourism operator and local resident Volker Grindel. The decade-old trail has become increasingly popular with Opotiki people and visitors.

“Before, everyone needed a car to get to the beach,” Volker says. 

These days local children and carless residents can reach the coast safely on foot, by crossing the Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku bridge, rather than having to walk more than 3km along the highway and side road. So too can tourists who arrive by bus or bike. After crossing the river, the trail meanders past grazing Friesian cows and opens onto views of the East Cape and nearby Moutohorā (Whale Island).

“The dunes section is the most used part of the Motu Trails,” Volker says.

“The town kids and people who live here use it a lot for fitness; running, jogging. And the kids who live out of town use it to come to school on their bikes because it’s safer than the highway. I’ve even seen a little fella with training wheels.”

Happy accident

Volker and his wife Andrea operate a small backpackers’ hostel and Andrea runs their busy Kafe Friends coffee cart just off the main street. The German-born couple, who met in Opotiki after her car broke down there, are seeing increasing numbers of day trippers in bike gear from nearby Rotorua, Whakatane and Tauranga. 

He says Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp, part way along the dunes, is packed with people using bikes during summer holidays and weekends. Plenty of those campers and cycle tourists make their way along the trail to the town centre.

“Before, they were not taking their kids on that busy road. Now, they come here to town do some shopping, drop in for coffee here or somewhere else. So the Four Square, the New World, the gas stations all get something out of this trail, too.”

Andrea runs along the dunes when she is training for half-marathons, and it is used by dog walkers and local schools that have been inspired to run duathlons and small cycle events for students.

Long-time volunteer trail builder, keen biker and Motu Trails executive officer Jim Robinson does track assessments, as well as overseeing signage, the trails website and Facebook page and multiple other roles. He laughs at his fancy title and stresses the trust-run operation is small and heavily reliant on unpaid community involvement, as well as council and conservation department input. But he says there is no doubting the Motu social and economic benefits, or its standing as a ‘great ride’ of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

He is especially enthused by the ongoing planting and beautification programme that has transformed the “really important but environmentally degraded” sand dunes area with the help of about 20,000 flax bushes, cabbage trees, pōhutukawa and other native plants. All have been poked into the ground by volunteers, with another three planting days planned this winter.

Jim says one section of coastline now occupied by the dunes trail had been used for dumping rubbish, other parts had been grazed by stock, or were covered in gorse, kikuyu, boxthorn, pampas and other undesirable invaders.

Points of interest

Interpretive signs denote culturally significant areas, including historic landing sites and burial grounds, and the track route was chosen to avoid especially sacred or sensitive sites.

Local potters and environmentalists Margaret and Stuart Slade provided handmade ceramic tiles depicting birds, mounted on concrete culverts to create sturdy sculpture. Earlier artworks were provided by schoolchildren who painted wooden cut-outs of birds and animals as a conservation week project.

Small tourism operators have sprung up to offer farmstay accommodation, food or shuttle transport to mountain bikers using the trails that connect Opotiki to Gisborne.

Late last year, long-time kayak tour operator Kenny McCracken began offering guided bike tours along the dunes, incorporating local history and food, with an optional swim along the way.

“There’s a massive amount of community ownership of the trail,” Jim says.