Read the Stories
"I originally joined oxigen because I wanted to lose my weight. I was sick of being 'the fat kid'. I was tired of being bullied and thought of as the kid for others to pick fights with. I just wanted to feel better about myself!
When I first started at Oxigen I went on the 6 week "Get Real, Get Results" program. The program made me start watching what was going into my mouth as I would write down all the foods I ate, which made me avoid fatty foods. This was originally hard for me as I work at McDonalds.
I then started to walk to the gym as well as train an hour a day, 5 days a week. I was following a prescribed weights and cardio program as well as a having a weekly personal training session. Since becoming a member and seeing the results I am booming with self confidence. I feel like a new man with so much more energy - it's great! I really enjoy shopping for new clothes and being able to wear them out in confidence. In total I have lost 32.2kg."
- Jake Beach
"I have been a member at oxigen for over two years, however I lost my motivation, routine, energy and love of going to the gym last year my dad passes away. I then was dealing with the grieving process and still am. When I came back to the gym 2 months ago, my intention was to cancel, as I hadn't been for over 7 months and felt I was wasting my money.
I spoke to Danielle, and she worked her magic, got me remotivated, booked me in for a personal training session with Talia and I haven't turned back. I love training with Talia. She pushed me to limits that I would normally say no to and I am seeing dramatic results! I've even signed up for the Bay to Bay run as a short term goal and with Talia's help plus my own determination I intend to reach my goal and cross that finish line!
I wouldn't be where I am now without Talia and the team at oxigen and I know they will continue to support not only me but every other member that is willing to let them help them."
Thanks Talia and the team at Oxigen. You've turned my life around!
- Ashlee Czerkesow
"Seven years ago I was 128 kilo's, I realised I needed to change my life style. I wasn't happy, my family wasn't happy & my Doctor wasn't happy. I sought advice but could only manage to shift about 10 kilo's over the next four years. I did change my diet and thought that would be enough, but found I would plateau and was stuck on about 118 kilo's. It was a surprise to me to realise I needed to do a lot more and just watching my diet wasn't going to do it alone.
I joined Oxigen when it opened, before the equipment was installed actually and with the help of some of the trainers over the next couple of years I lost another 10 kilo's. Again I plateaued, I was now exercising and watching what I ate. So I got myself down to 108 kilo's and was initially very happy but then very frustrated as I felt that I was never going to get to were I wanted to be.
My family and friends had noticed I had lost weight but I was still over weight and I needed a plan. Oxigen had a weight loss seminar late last year were Matt and Alex spoke about the problems in losing weight for some people. I got a lot out of that night including learning about looking at food as fuel, you can still enjoy and love your food, but realise it's fuel. You have to balance the books so to speak.
That night I signed up for the 10 week Get Real program. It was two nights a week and a lot of tutoring on the benefits of different foods. I learned a hell of a lot about the daily menu and how you can us that to achieve your weight loss goals. Alex guided me through the ten weeks and kept me focused every step of the way, we tick off all the goals in small increments which all added up to ten kilo's in ten weeks. At the end of the ten weeks I was stunned, I couldn't believe what I had achieved but knew there was still a little more to go. I continued with a six week program with Alex to finish the job as I felt that I was on a roll. It worked and I have to say it has changed my life for the better, I am now fitter, stronger and lighter.
At the moment I am 88 kilo's, so with the help of Alex & Oxigen, I have lost 20 kilo's since starting the first program, I lost 10 kilo's previously at the gym and 10 kilo's on my own before starting at Oxigen. Since deciding to improve my health, I have lost 40 kilo's Including the 30 kilo's I lost at Oxigen. It has changed my attitude about my health and how important it is and that was the hardest thing to do, then it all seemed to make sense."
- Owen Scott
"Mind and Body Fitness", how true that is! From the very first day I entered Oxigen Mind&Body Fitness, it felt different to any gym I'd been to before. There was definitely a genuine personal touch here... one I wanted to feel part of. Trish welcomed my daughter (11 years) during the holidays so that regime didn't alter.
Matt Hardy, my personal trainer, is challenging, professional and genuinely interested in helping me reach my goals. He keeps it interesting and motivates me beyond what I think I CAN do. I love his ethos... "sweat is weakness leaving the body."
Suffering from PTSD, my body is not the only thing benefiting from my times at Oxigen, my mind and my general wellbeing wouldn't be where it is without Matt and Oxigen. Thanks,
- Heidi
After passing my 80th birthday I had an accident and finished up in hospital for 3 months with a broken leg. Although I had 2 months of physiotherapy on being discharged, my leg muscles had not restored to their former strength. I was therefore referred to oxigenhealth for a series of exercises under the supervision of Alex, one of the resident exercise physiologists. The programme included workouts on a variety of equipment which increased in difficulty over a period of 3 months. The exercises proved to be most beneficial and my physical condition noticeably improved. I have no hesitation in recommending Oxigen Health to anyone in need of remedial physical treatment - regardless of age.
- John
Upon entering into a set program of one-on-one personal training sessions over the course of three months, a perceptive and challenging question was asked of me. I'd indicated on a preliminary assessment form that my commitment to the ensuing process of getting fitter that i was 8 out of a possible 10 committed. "Why not 9?", I was asked. From there on in, I sensed that Matt Hardy and the team were committed to my health as much (if not more so) than i was. Indeed, that has born itself out.
Accommodating my desire to have the sessions closer to home, Matt or other personal trainers came to a park close to my home, saving me precious time. Moreover, they were prepared to do so rain, hail or shine. The exercises that they engaged me in, were various and challenging, with a stand out feature being the use of the TRX suspension training. The end result, despite an abnormally busy period for me that should have mitigated any real progress, I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by an improvement in my overall health at the end of the 3 months.
Without hesitation I can recommend anyone interested in improving their overall fitness to at least chat to Matt and his team over options. Not only were they flexible, compared to other fitness centres that I have been involved in, i felt in no way pressured or bamboozled into committing to something that i was not comfortable with, nor conned into something I didn't need. Thanks Matt.
- Matt Ham
I started at Oxigen gym at Erina in February 2009. I was referred by my G.P to see an exercise physiologist, as I had sustained pelvic and back injuries in a serious fall down some stairs 12 months prior. These injuries were causing me long term problems. I couldn’t walk very far, couldn’t stand or sit for too long, and was in constant pain. I was quite fearful of doing any exercise, because of the pain, and because I was so unfit. I was also 50 kilos over weight.
Alex Thompson was my exercise physiologist/trainer. After having a fitness and injury risk assessment, Alex designed a safe initial exercise plan for me, and in an hourly session took me through the program. The program consisted of cardio, on the walking machine and bike, and mat exercises which were designed to strengthen my core and other crucial area’s. I was so unfit, and struggled to walk for a few minutes on the walker, or ride for a few minutes on the bike. Doing the exercises with Alex was so hard and I felt that I really struggled to get through. That was a wake up call for me. Every 2 weeks, for 12 weeks I met with Alex, who would take me through a new program. I think that was great as it stretched me to do a bit more than I thought I could. For 2 weeks I would follow that program at Oxigen and just when I began to feel confident doing that, it was time to see Alex again!
The results for me have been amazing. I thought my pain would get better, and that was it. Instead, not only have I learnt how to manage my pain with exercise, I have gained confidence in my ability to be more active than I have ever been, and I have lost almost 20 kilos by also changing to a healthier eating lifestyle. I can’t believe how fit I am becoming, and how much more agile I am. I feel just great!
My physio program finished, and I have been so pleased with my results that I have joined Oxigen gym, so that I can continue to keep up with what I have been doing. I will meet with Alex on monthly basis to upgrade my program. That way I won’t get bored, and will continue to increase my fitness level. It’s affordable enough that I can afford it.
- Nicole Thornton
Growing up as a teenager I was always fairly large, however after finishing high school I stopped exercising and gradually started to gain more weight. During this time I always had an excuse for why I couldn't get back into exercise.
At my peak of laziness I was just over the 130 kilo mark. One night I dropped my car off at a friends place. When I went to pick it up the next day my friend mum first words to me in several years was "bloody hell you've put on some weight," With my confidence at an all time low, i finally decided it was time to do something about it.
At the start it was tough going as I wasn't getting the results I wanted. In January 2009 I joined Oxigen and started off with the Get Real Get Real program.
Now with some hard work, controlling my eating habits, combined with help of Personal Trainers, group fitness classes, boot camp I have now weigh in at 92kilos- a loss of 39 kilos so far. I’m now the lighter than I was at 16 years old. I have also gone from a size 44 jeans to almost size 34.
Instead of thinking that exercise is a hassle, I now enjoy working out and I’m gaining in confidence every week and have lost count of the amount complements i’ve been getting on my weight loss lately, from oxigen staff, other gym members and random people while out and about as well.
Getting back to fitness has the hardest, but most rewarding thing I have ever done.
When I get asked "how did you do it?" I reply with the same thing - hard work. It has been tough, very frustrating and lonely at times as well. You have to accept it, grit your teeth and just go hard.
Now instead of avoiding things I don’t want to do, I think to myself “challenges can be either stepping stones or stumbling blocks, it just how you view them.”
I would like to thank all the staff at Oxigen Gym for their help and guidance , from the Personal Trainers and Class instructors who have helped push me to my limits and keeping me motivated even when I wanted to give up, to the girls on the front desk for smiling and for always saying hello when i’m around.