Personal trainer brings love of fitness to new gym

A Umina personal trainer is bringing her love of fitness to the Peninsula through a new gym.

Ms Laura Witchard has been operating her boutique studio gym, FitLife AU The Strength and Fitness Studio, for just over two months from a warehouse in Woy Woy.

"I come from a long line of Patonga fishermen and oyster farmers and I grew up between Umina and Patonga," Ms Witchard said.

"I grew up dancing.

"I was always on the beach and in my late teens I discovered a love for all things dirt bike, but it wasn't until I signed up for the old Gosford Council's fitness passport that I found my love for weights and strength training.

"That love stuck with me all throughout my career and after five years of a council job I decided it was time for a change, so I completed my certificates III and IV in fitness and began personal training," Ms Witchard said.

"I worked through a gym at Erina for a while and even began a mobile personal training and group fitness course, but in August I found the warehouse and knew it was time to start my own business," she said.

Ms Witchard has already built a steady client base for her studio space which caters to all ages and levels of fitness.

Ms Witchard also runs fitness classes out of the Patonga Progress Hall.

"I grew up in Patonga and I am therefore very connected to the town and the people," Ms Witchard said.

"When I became a qualified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, I wanted to provide a service for the town that was not currently available.

"I put some feelers out and discovered that there were many people who were interested in participating in some type of exercise program and having something offered in town made it much more convenient and easier to commit to."

Ms Witchard said the appeal of a smaller boutique style gym was that clients had a better chance of receiving expert advice and guidance, to make stronger bonds with their fitness mates and most importantly achieve their goals faster.

"The fact that my gym is a small studio is what sets me apart from the larger chains.

"I only offer personal training and group fitness classes.

"Clients cannot come in and use the equipment to train themselves.

"This means that all of my clients are learning how to perform all exercises safely and correctly so that they are working effectively and are not putting themselves at risk of injury.

"My clients are also educated about how different types of exercise can affect their goals which, in turn, teaches them how to construct an effective exercise program so that their goals are achieved.

"I believe that this is far more effective and empowering for individuals then turning up to a gym feeling unsure, walking on a treadmill, doing some bicep curls and hoping for the best," Ms Witchard said.

"A private studio also guarantees that my personal training sessions are truly personal as clients are not sharing the space, equipment and my attention with other gym-goers.

"Each of my personal training clients receive an individually tailored exercise program which takes into account their age, fitness level, exercise experience, health status and goals.

"They also receive nutrition guidelines and recipes, home exercise plans, and have access to 24/7 trainer support via phone call, text or email.

SOURCE:

Interview, 16 Oct 2017

Laura Witchard, FitLife AU

Reporter: Dilon Luke