HELENA’S STORY - 41YRS
“When I first started training I was really out of my comfort zone and I thought that I couldn’t make it through the first session. I was so unfit! Now I feel that I’m up for any challenge and more energised after a session. Training is now part of my weekly routine. I’m 41 years old busy working and studying mum of two. Even now that I have a lot on my plate, it is very important to me to find the time to train; it makes me feel happier, healthier and stronger “
WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO KEEP TURNING UP TO THE GYM:
That amazing feeling of being fit keeps me motivated and turning up every week. I want to keep improving myself. It wasn’t that long ago that I couldn’t even run 1 km without stopping and now running 5 km is fun!
WHAT ADVISE WOULD I GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO START:
Just do it! Make feeling fit, healthy and happy your priority and find the time to come to the gym. Eat well, be patient and persistent with your training.
BRAD’S STORY - 41YRS
“I was very nervous/anxious leading into my first training session, looking at the board didn’t reduce that tension at all. Adam was taking the session and no doubt took pity on me. I really struggled to complete 10 wall balls, squats etc. All of the activities were basically cut in half to help me survive. My 1st P.T. session with Steph, well, we won’t go there…… But I love training now, my daily routine involves the gym at 7.00 am and actually feel a bit lost if can’t make a session due to work, kids etc. I actually enjoy challenging and competing against myself which I thought was past me since retiring from cricket. All the members are easy to chat with and have made me feel really welcome, that definitely helps enjoy each session.”
WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO KEEP TURNING UP TO THE GYM:
Having seen some decent results since joining the gym in August last year, my motivation revolves mainly around continuing to improve my body shape, getting stronger and being comfortable looking in the mirror each day. My goal this year is pretty basic, just have a crack at being the best I can possibly be. Live with no excuses and do my best at whatever that might be, starting in the gym!!
WHAT ADVISE WOULD I GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO START:
Find motivation from within, making that initial step to join is the hardest thing. The trainers are all fantastic, well most of the time :), they will push you to your limit and really understand where you are at. You definitely need to be patient but if you give yourself a chance, you will improve and it might not take as long as you think. Consistency is key, regular training and eating well will assist with results, both short and long term.
MEL'S STORY - 40YRS
"I felt excited about my first but also realised that I wasn’t as fit as I first thought I was. Previously having trained with Mia on a one-on-one level at a previous gym this was a different ball game. I started training 3 times a week and it took 2 days just to recover from each session.
But now, I thrive on it. Training for me is a way to de-stress from my work day. Work can be quite stressful at times so for me going to the gym is part of my daily routine. At the end of the night when I am preparing for work the next day, I also pack my gym gear and put it in the car. Even if at times I’m feeling unmotivated by the end of the day because I’ve had a crappy day at work, I will still go to the gym and try my best. Without fail I always feel better for it at the end of the session."
WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO KEEP TURNING UP TO THE GYM:
"I love it. It is a part of me. I have been a member of Boss Gym since the doors opened in 2016. Boss Gym is like my second family. Mia, Adam, Steph and Darcy all greet you with smiles on their faces. The other gym members become your friends and I enjoy coming in and catching up with them before and after each session. I now train up to 5-6 times a week. My recovery time is a lot quicker and I am always continuing to challenge myself."
WHAT ADVISE WOULD I GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO START:
"What are you waiting for? Give it a go. Boss Gym has opened up more opportunities to me over the last 2 years and has helped me find more meaning to life than simply becoming a workaholic. You make lifelong friends and you would struggle to find other more “traditional” gyms who genuinely care for your wellbeing.”
MICHELLE'S STORY - 46YRS
"I am 46 years old and the owner of a small beauty salon in Cheltenham. Work has always come first for me and I didn't think I could possibly fit in time for the gym. But I know I needed to make some changes to my (not so healthy) lifestyle and mostly with Mia's (not so gentle) persuasion I somehow did.
My first session was a bit of a blur, I was so nervous and completely out of my comfort zone, but with the help of the patient trainers and the encouragement of the other members, I made it through.Now, nearly two years later I am still there. "
WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO KEEP TURNING UP TO THE GYM:
"My life has changed so much, training is now part of my life (4 days a week) and I have become stronger both physically and mentally. That in itself is all the reason I need to turn up everyday, plus I love all the friendly faces that great me when I get there. The BEST team of people ever!"
WHAT ADVISE WOULD I GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO START:
"So anyone thinking of wanting to start... just do it! You'll never regret walking into Boss Gym, the trainers are so encouraging, patient and helpful and the other members will make you feel welcome and at ease. Everyone is there to help and make your journey a little easier, you run your own race at your own pace. Try it, you'll love it! Thanks you, Mia, Steph, Darcy, Adam for the BEST gym ever!"
Rhy's Story - 22yrs
I am 22 years old and I work as a laborer, I joined Boss Gym about a year ago (wow time fly's when you are having fun) from a close friend of mine named Jamie Astbury who actually used to work at boss at the time, he would train me three time's a week things were going good until he had to move to New Zealand. After he left I started training by myself for about nearly eight month's until I decided I would do some group sessions which was probably the best decision I have made ever since.
"When I first started training I felt really good even though I fainted a couple time's but It has not stopped me from giving up from what I want to achieve.
Now I feel really confident and happy as I come into the gym with a smile on my face, I also look forward to catching up and training with friends I always look forward to a new challenge at every session."
What motivates me to keep turning up to the gym:
What motivates me is that I enjoy working out and improving myself physically and mentally.
What advise would I give someone who is going to start:
The advise I would give someone who has just started is to be persistent with there training that's how you will improve your fitness dramatically even though It's hard but you will feel so good and proud about yourself at the end.
Irish BEEF stew
INGREDIENTS:
Serves: 4-6
Cooking time: 8 hours on low
800kg of beef (chuck or oyster blade)
1 brown onion
4 sticks celery
500g sweet potato
1 Tin crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup beef stock
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium carrot
METHOD:
1. Prep ingredients, cut beef into 4cm pieces, thinly slice onions and crush garlic.
2. Put all ingredients in slow cooker and set on low for 8 hours
3. Can serve with a small serve of brown rice or add more sweet potato for higher carb content.
Jen's Story - 45yrs
I am just on the other side of the “45 hump”, a busy mum of 2 teenage boys and work part time as a Sales Representative. The early morning sessions at Boss are just for me, they are my time to start the day energised and positive
"When I first started I thought I was relatively fit when I joined Boss, but just changing my training up, I soon realized I had lots of room for improvement. The small class sizes meant Trainers were continually correcting and encouraging you to push harder. "
"NowI certainly feel stronger, fitter and a little leaner. But strength week still gets me every time. Always sore, but “good sore”. I love the variety in the training sessions and that each session is different"
What motivates you to keep turning up and training?
"I am motivated to keep turning up and training because I want to stay fit and healthy, but mostly to be a good role model for my boys and show them how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
I joined the gym with Meaghan and due to our busy lives this seemed to be the only way for us to catch up consistently. Not that we can chat much during the sessions, but we do get time most days to catch up and keep each other motivated to do something for ourselves. I have also meet lots of great people and Trainers (especially the early morning crew J) Everyone is always very encouraging to each other and there is always some friendly banter that keeps us all going at 5.45am in the morning."
What advise would you give someone who is looking to start?
"Just start, as soon as you give it a go and get through the first week of pain, it becomes addictive. It doesn’t matter what age, size or ability the sessions and Trainers cater for everyone."
Boss Winter Tips
1. Organise your week
Figure out when you can fit training into your schedule. Training before work can help to ensure that you get your training in rather than it coming to the end of the day and by then you’ve lost your motivation to show up! Alternatively, going to the gym straight after work rather than home first helps (otherwise you may go home and not be able to motivate yourself to get back up and go).
2. Work out with a friend
It definitely helps to have someone there holding you accountable, someone who is going to push you along and talk you into coming to the gym, you never regret a workout the hardest part is getting to the gym! Plan to meet someone at boss for each session so you don't let them down!
3. Overhaul your Nutrition Plan
If you’ve been following the same approach day in and day out for a while now with your eating and your bored, then your body is most likely bored also. Mix it up and make things interesting with some new meal ideas. Checkout our latest winter recipe.
4. Prepare food for success
With less partying going on in Winter its easier to have a lazy day around the house with 2 hours of this spent preparing your food for the week, ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ and some nights once you get home from work the last thing you want to do is think about organising your food for the next day.
5. Try out a new session
Give Isolation, Barbell or Yoga a go to mix up your training. Make sure you plan out your sessions and plan your week around that. It takes the guesswork out of your weekly training routine and keeps things interesting.
6. Embrace the winter!
Every year winter is going to rock up whether we want it to or not, so why not embrace this time of the year! We all know that winter is going to be cold. Rather than let the cold be an excuse to not get out of bed or go straight home from work, try to find ways to make the cold more bearable. Turn on the heater 15 minutes before you get up, have a quick hot shower to get rid of the chill, get in early to warm up, buy a super warm jacket (Kathmandu or North Face) and head straight to the gym from work.
7. Pack your gym bag the day before
Have your gym bag ready to go the day before, that way if your training in the morning it will give you that little bit of extra time to sleep in, or if your coming straight from work it will ensure you don’t go home and get stuck on the couch.
8. Purchase some new kicks or workout gear
How good does it feel having some fresh new kicks and active wear to show case around the gym! It gives you that extra boost of motivation. Go out and treat yourself to something new, this can also be a good reward for reaching your goals.
Lets hit the beach next summer with even better beach bodies than this year, lets utilise winter rather than going into hibernation, glued to Netflix and eating comfort food!
JEN'S BRAISED BEEF
INGREDIENTS:
MAKES 6 SERVES
1.5KG oyster blade beef
4 large onions (800g)
3 gloves of garlic
1/4 cup (70g) tomato paste
1/4 cup (35g) plain flour
1/4 cup (vegetable oil)
1 litre (4 cups) beef stock
Mashed sweet potato/potato and vegetables, for serving
METHOD:
1. Prep ingredients, cut beef into 4cm pieces, thinly slice onions and crush garlic.
2. Toss the beef in the flour with salt & pepper; shake off excess. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan, cook beef in batches until browned. Transfer to 4.5 litre (18 cup) slow cooker.
3. Heat the remaining oil in the same pan; cook the onion and garlic, stirring until softened. Add the tomato paste and stir for a further minute. Then stir in stock.
4. Add entire mixture into slow cooker, cook, covered on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 5-6 hours until beef is tender. Remove lid for the last hour of cooking to allow sauce to reduce a little. Serve with mashed sweet potato and vegetables.
Karen's Story - 43yrs
I am 43 years young! And feeling younger every day. I am a tax accountant, so spend way too much time in front of a computer, and sat down – which made me fat ….and lazy!!
But now I’m less fat (cos of the awesome trainers at Boss) and less lazy and love going to the gym!!!
"When I first started I felt anxious and scared, but determined to change! Gareth met Mia and said how awesome she was – and then Mia phoned me to chat and she persuaded me to try the gym for 2 weeks before Christmas – so I did a group session which hurt but it showed me how unfit and unhealthy my lifestyle had become! I knew I had to make the change!"
"Now I feel Happy, positive and motivated to push myself as hard as I can! The group sessions are always changing – so you are constantly learning and getting a good mix of different exercises. The trainers are always happy to give you advice on what to do and how to improve form, increase weights so you keep improving week on week! I am not just physically stronger but mentally stronger too – and way happier!"
What motivates you to keep turning up and training?
"Seeing the change in my body shape, feeling fitter, stronger and leaner – and dropping the kilos and the inches! Also the comments from friends on how much healthier & happier I look and how I have inspired them to make some lifestyle changes too. Best of all trying on clothes that I kept from my ‘skinny’ days (12 years ago…yes I am a hoarder!!!) and they are too loose on me – that has been a real buzz!"
What advise would you give someone who is looking to start?
"Take a deep breath…and give it a go! The members are great, the culture at the gym is so supportive and friendly, the trainers are awesome – gyms can be intimidating places for lots of different reasons, but Boss Gym isn’t your typical gym."
"I was anxious and nervous starting out – and fearful of failing or looking like an idiot, but I have realized no-one expects you to be perfect or cares if you make a mistake, they are just happy to see you and help you be the best you can be."
Gareth's Story - 47
"My 1st session, in late December was an eye opener to how unfit and unhealthy I was! I knew I had let things slip, considering in 2013 I had run a full marathon in Antarctica, but the level of my fitness really shocked me, and ultimately led to a changed mindset on my life. I struggled with exercise within a few minutes, took forever to get my breath back and felt totally out of my comfort zone. Although Adam, who took the session was supportive and had me not overdo it, having played rugby for most of my life I was really disappointed I had allowed my fitness to get to this state.
But now, I love training; I can’t wait to see what the session plan is, thinking about which exercises I can up my weights on and planning my approach. It really is a mind game, which I feel I am largely in control of, now. I now aim to complete every session, up the weights where I can, or get further in the challenge, if I hadn’t completed it before. Karen and I ALWAYS discuss the session afterwards; what went well, what was most challenging, and largely what the trainers said.
I have to compliment all the trainers, for me they have always known how hard to push me, constantly challenging my boundaries and motivating me.
I also appreciate having dedicated trainers that are focused on technique, I believe too many gyms are all about getting through the session and numbers, instead of good technique that will benefit more in the long term and reduce the risk of injury."
What motivates you to keep turning up and training?
Training for me has now become part of my life and a routine. I have lost about 12 kilos since January. I have more energy, my clothes fit me properly, I am getting compliments about my appearance and I am a lot more confident. But it is also about being in the gym; the trainers are awesome, not just for training, but for advice, confidence building and just a laugh. The whole vibe of the gym promotes you to be relaxed and enjoy yourself, feel comfortable in an environment that is unlike any traditional gym, or any other gym I have experienced or heard about!!
I think the way the sessions are planned, changed and presented keeps me interested and pushes limits.
Now, my technique is better, I am lifting bigger weights and recovering quicker, I have more weight to lose and improvements to work on, this keeps me motivated...and I just enjoy catching up with everyone in the Boss family.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start?
There were a few things that helped me get started and keep momentum.
Having Karen (my wife) join with me allowed us to go together, pushing each other on off days, discuss sessions and the different exercises that were challenging and how we got through them, and changing our diet together, starting with the Boss detox. So a gym partner really helps, there is always a friendly face in the class that will be happy to train with you!
Talk to the trainers, a lot. Tell them what you are doing with your diet, ask about ways to discuss how you feel before and after the session, by being open with the trainers, they learnt about me, my goals and my limits. They also tell you about their weaknesses and issues, and how they work with them.
Use your book! I measure my fitness improvements, my weight lifting increases and any personal sessions I do, in my book.
Food! Starting with the Boss Detox early January, we recognized how our diet was a mixture of unbalanced meals, large proportions and unplanned. We haven’t dieted, but changed how we shop, how often we eat and how much we eat – all supported by talking to the trainers and looking for healthy alternatives to the food we traditionally liked. As Darcy one said to me “good habits breed good habits”.
Boss has changed my life, in 4 months! I am happier, sleeping better, feeling energetic and loving life. Give it a go, come join our family.
Meaghan has been with us for almost a year and a half and when she started she was lacking motivation to keep up her training. From day 1, we knew Meaghan was going to be someone who gave it 100%, she is fit and strong and pushes so hard every single session and we LOVE seeing what she can do each week.
"When I first attended a session, I honestly didn’t know what to expect at Boss. I was struggling with my motivation and consistency at this stage. I really enjoyed it and I haven’t looked back.
I love the variety as no two sessions are the same. Yes I complain each and every morning when I look at that whiteboard, but when I leave I know I have given it 100% with the support of the trainers who can read you like a book and push you without comprising technique. Love the small group sessions."
What motivates you to keep turning up and training?
My main motivation is to set a good example for my girls and I love starting my day off on a positive note as it is the best part of the day.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start?
Just give it a go and it will become addictive. Everyone is there to support you, trainers and fellow members. Mia and Adam should be extremely proud of the environment they have created.
Who knew training could be Fun.
