Testimonials

Shane Tindall, Fitness Trainer Extraordinaire My teenage son and I first engaged Shane Tindall as a personal trainer over two years ago. This is our story.

Why engage a trainer?

Fifteen years or more of focus on family and work have, until recently, overshadowed how important exercise and the outdoors are to me. I remember showing Shane a photo of me taken some 20 years ago. I was in tramping regalia and with a large pack on my back. My goal, I said, is to be as fit and as active now as I was then. Shane didn't laugh, although I am sure there was a glint of something in his eyes: the thrill of an extreme challenge maybe?

My son has been dogged by poor health and has missed out on the backyard cricket, the rugby, and the general rough-housing that other boys might experience. He was determined to get fitter, healthier, and to feel at home at the gym.

Our training

One of Shane's strengths as a trainer is the variety of training options he has up his sleeve, and how he can mix it up from week to week to ensure that every muscle has a chance to shriek. No doubt it also keeps us engaged. Between us, my son and I have tramped, biked, run, swum, had boxing sessions, lifted weights, focused on abs and balance, and done cardio sessions. On summer days, Shane will pack up his gear and take his sessions in one of the local parks: oxygen and endorphins can't be bad.

As an asthmatic and with slightly dickey knees, running has never been my forte. Shane has, despite my whining, encouraged me to run: up and down steps; between lamp posts; and up bits of Mt Kau Kau. He has taught me stretches and strengthening exercises to reduce the dickey-ness of my knees. It is clear that Shane has a solid foundation of knowledge about the human body; my knees are almost as good as new.

Biking, back in the day, was always my thing. (There was a time when I cycled from Wellington to Waikanae and then over the Akatarawas - during a hailstorm - on a bike with a fraction of the gears we have on our bikes today.) For those of us who now have less leisure time, 'group ride' or 'spin' classes are a great alternative to long bike rides. Shane introduced me to spin with one-on-one sessions until I was confident enough to join in the classes.

One day a line of babies in buggies at the gym watched as I thumped my boxing gloves into the pads that Shane held up. The babies were fascinated. You could almost see their little minds working: "Gosh! That woman is beating the c**p out of that man. That looks like fun." I am pleased to report that it is!

Shane's style

Shane hears the requirements of his clients: their aches and pains; their expectations of him; and their fitness goals. He chips away at these until the aches and pains are gone; expectations of the trainer have been met; and fitness goals have been extended with vigour.

Start today with a goal of getting fit or losing weight; tomorrow you might be hooked into participating in a triathlon or the Lake Taupo cycle challenge.

Vitally, Shane has a sense of humour. Two days after a session with Shane I have been known to text him with the full force of my post-session pain, and maybe even a swear word or two. The response: "job done!" or "good session then!" What can you say?

When Shane is with a client, his full attention and support is focused on that client. His grittiness, his challenge to me to achieve - and his persistent belief that I can achieve - is catching. Results are assured.

Results

There have been results galore. I have bought a serious pair of running shoes and now venture out to run alone. Who would ever have thought it?

My son is fit and strong, and well set up to continue a relationship with the gym in the years to come.

I have dusted off my old tramping boots and have joined in with Shane's weekend tramping group. I remembered the other day that once upon a time I trekked in the foot hills of Annapurna in the Himalayas. I find I have started checking websites for guided treks up to base camp at Mt Everest. With Shane's help, I am certain I would still be up to it.

« Back to testimonials