Zoe Hunter is so typical of many of the clients at New Level Personal Training in Newtown. In the short time she has been a personal training client at our studio, she has achieved so many things.

The mad keen Geelong AFL supporter and loyal Amateurs (a local footy/netball club) clubperson has already lost close to 10kgs and more than 25cms off her total body measurements since first joining New Level Newtown last year. At the time, she could never imagine running a decent distance on a treadmill – let alone taking part in a fun run.

Towards the end of last year, however, the self confessed ‘running hater’ decided to set a personal goal of running 3kms in 20 minutes on the studio treadmills. Not only did Zoe manage to achieve her desired target, but she absolutely smashed her time.

When asked how she felt after achieving her goal, the humble ‘Zo-Zo’ as she is affectionately known, replied, “Just please don’t make me do it again!” 

This was the exact same reply to the exact same question she uttered following the recent Great Ocean Road fun run in Apollo Bay, when she ran the 6km event in just over 49 minutes!

Following the Apollo Bay run, Zoe received many congratulatory messages, especially via Facebook after many friends, family and fellow New Level clients found out about her amazing achievement on the social media network.

In the days following the Great Ocean Road marathon weekend, a proud Zoe even updated her profile pic to the one taken immediately after the completion of the 6km run.

In acknowledging her amazing feat and the tremendous endeavour Zoe has shown in changing her lifestyle and relentlessly chasing her health and fitness goals, the extremely friendly and loveable 24-year-old was awarded the New Level Newtown ‘Client of the Month’ for the month of May!

From all of us here at New Level Personal Training in Newtown, a huge congratulations Zo-Zo! Well done!  

Harley joined New Level Personal Training Newtown in early December of last year and two and a half months later, during the last RESULTS WEEK held in early February, he had recorded some amazing results.

Since his last assessment, Harley had lost almost a full 5 kilograms of body weight, as well as a staggering 29cm in total measurements.

His waist and hips were the undoubted star performers, having lost 8.5cms and 11.5 cms respectively, but his chest (loss of 3cms) and thighs (loss of 4.5cms) were not far behind.

Harleyís secret is simple – he has applied himself fully to every Personal Training session he has attended. And he has managed a 100% attendance rate so far! Not bad for someone who is not normally a morning person, yet has scheduled his two weekly sessions on a Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am respectively.

Adding proof to the observation that if you put in that extra effort you will be rewarded, Harley recently started regularly attending the Monday night group boxing class, in order to ensure he was exercising at the studio on at least three occasions per week – the absolute bare minimum that New Level personal trainers recommend to their clients.

No doubt Harley, along with New Level Newtown’s other personal training clients, will be eagerly looking forward to the next RESULTS WEEK in early April, hoping to emulate the great results they recently achieved.

“Failed my test; no matter; I still rock this place”; but lame to get the highest grade or excel where others are falling short.

 “I got an A!” “NERD!”

This mentality still exists today believe it or not; except now it’s cool to fail at keeping your own body in check. You can be super fit or super unfit; but not anywhere in between; that’s just not cool. The funny thing is now that your friends are all adults they don’t use the word cool anymore; that’s kids stuff. Now they choose to see self improvement as a waste of time or a sign that you have had some kind of mental break. In other words; they’re not doing it so why are you?

How often would you say you’ve heard these words?

“You’re training; why? You’re not an athlete”

“Why aren’t you drinking? One drink won’t kill you”

“Pfft Diet; shut up and have some pizza with us”

This one is my personal favorites… “Go on; you can always work it off with your trainer tomorrow”.

These words of wisdom; or WOW statements from your friends can be the catalyst to you chucking in the towel or choosing to fail; and often that is exactly what happens. This doesn’t happen right away mind you; it is often a slow progressively destructive effect that occurs over weeks or months. 

First; you’ll eat something that you know doesn’t suit your eating plan. Second; you’ll cancel a training sessions to catch up with your mates that you haven’t seen for a whole 5 days; damn how do you go on? Third; you start back at the old bad habits. Fourth and final; you quit; and say it’s due to lack of time, results and money; when really its due to lack of self control, effort and dedication.

Now the easiest thing to do now would be to ditch all those tall poppy hating friends of yours; but of course you like them and they have stuck by you for other stuff; like shouting you a round at the pub; what a pal. So instead this means that once again the task falls back on you and your will power.  

There are two things you need in your arsenal to accomplish this task; that’s right; only two things to remember folks. One; you must learn to say no to your friends; you don’t have to go to every social gathering or drink every pint they shout you. Two; learn to no longer use their WOW statements as a scapegoats for your goal plan. If you stick these two simple things for 1 month your friends will learn to see you as the fitness nut of the group; instead of the kidding themselves nut they see every time you adhere to their WOW statements.

Do this; train hard; eat right and nothing will stop you from winning the results game.

Good luck; now go train. 

Pictured – New Level Newtown studio owner Tonci Prusac, Stephen McDonald and head trainer Jen Etcell

At New Level Personal Training Newtown we believe clients deserve recognition and encouragement for their individual achievements, their tireless endeavours and ongoing commitment to achieve their personal goals.

As such, we are extremely excited to announce the new CLIENT OF THE MONTH award. This award will be given each month to the client who not only meets the criteria of our well known “Results Week” but who also gives it all they have.

The CLIENT OF THE MONTH award  for February is Stephen McDonald who showed us just how much faster you can achieve results when you push yourself that little bit further.

We always say that that body measurements are a key indicator to monitoring our progress and since our last “Results Week” Stephen has managed to shed a modest 2.7 kilograms, however he has lost a massive 27cm in body measurements. This includes a huge 9cm off his hips and waist in only 8 weeks.

If you thought that was big than like us, you will join us in congratulating Stephen on a total loss of 8.6kg and more than 35cm in measurements since he started with us in August 2011.

How did he do it? Stephen increased his sessions from 2 to 3. He has been religious with his food choices and although he is a humble, man of few words, he comes in with a smile, brings a never-say-die attitude and puts in 110% effort to every session. There is barely a whimper, and he still manages to leave with that same smile.The results above speak for themselves and is proof that all the blood, sweat and tears (ok, maybe not the blood bit!) are paying off.

Stephen McDonald, Congratulations once again. You are an absolute pleasure to train and we look forward to seeing some more amazing results in the coming months as you set the bar higher again.

Dani had been a member of New Level Personal Training Newtown for about six months and by her own admission, when she first started she wasn’t too sure about having a personal trainer. She decided she was going to give it a go because she had heard about some of her acquaintances getting some amazing results.
Well, what was the end result, we may well ask young Dani?

“Now, I am the biggest advocate for it. I never thought I could achieve some of the results I have achieved. Today, for example, I just did 100 kilos on the 45 angle weights with the thighs…..”
Stop there, Dani! I think you meant the 45 degree Leg Press machine, but we know what you meant! Anyway, back to you…
“So I would say give it a go. Come in, have a look, talk to the trainers. They are amazing – they will give you a good deal and they will get you the results you want to achieve,” concluded a cheery Dani.

UPDATE: Not only will personal training get you the results you want, but your confidence and self esteem will improve dramatically, which will have a positive impact on your private lives.
Just ask Dani. When she first came to us she was still a uni student and only had a part time job. In the time since this interview was recorded, Dani has – unfortunately – left New Level Newtown, because she got the job of her dreams working in the marketing department of a major international cosmetics company and has, as a result, had to move to Melbourne.
Well done Dani and good luck with your future endeavours – and never give up working and exercising hard!

Sally is a proud mother of seven beautiful grown up children, but you would never believe it if you saw her! When Sally first came to New Level Personal Training Newtown, she recalls vividly that she suffered from a lack of energy, she struggled to sleep well and even admitted to suffering a mild case of depression.

Not for long though! After completing a 12 week program with her trainers Renato and Tonci, she has not only astounded both herself and her trainers with her incredible progress, but everyone around her is commenting what an amazing transformation she has undergone in the past three months.

“I feel absolutely great, I have got a lot more energy now, I sleep well and on top of that I have lost something like 4 kilos in the past 12 weeks. I really, really feel fabulous!” Sally said upon completion of her final personal training session.

Sally has, in fact, lost a total of 4.3 kilograms since she started the 12 week program but its her body measurements that speak for themselves. Having lost a staggering 11cm off her chest, 9.5cm off her waist and a further 11cm off her hips has put her in good stead to really enjoy the next two months, she will be spending with her family during the northern summer in Croatia.

“I cannot fit into any of my jeans or pants, I cannot believe it, it has been just great, I absolutely love it and would recommend that everybody should join up and at least give it a try!” concluded a proud Sally.

As for how old she is, let that remain a secret. But as was stated at the start of this article, if you knew, you simply would not believe it!

Sally, we look forward to seeing you when you get back from Europe!