When he’s not running Activ8 Fundamentals or Activ8 Group Training classes, he’s bringing the energy to PCYC Zillmere!
I joined PCYC at the end of 2024 and coming up on 10 months of my role as Gym Officer & Personal Trainer.
My journey in the fitness industry began as one of self-discovery, as I navigated my own weight loss journey and gained the knowledge to transform other people’s lives in the process. This is easily my favourite part of doing what I do, assisting others in achieving goals they didn’t believe were possible.
I am excited to get into MMA training as it’s always been a passion of mine.
My favourite personal achievement was working with a client & friend to achieve her goal of fitting into her mother’s wedding dress for her own wedding. We worked tirelessly across 6 months to achieve this goal and was extremely grateful to help in the process.
Discover PCYC Zillmere or view the club timetable.
By our Gym+Fitness team at PCYC Ashmore
We know nutrition is key when working towards health and fitness goals, and one of the most effective ways to boost your results using nutrition is through effectively fueling your body before and after your workouts.
Good nutrition, and the timing of meals, before and after your work out can benefit your performance, replenishment, and recovery.
A good, regular pre and post workout eating routine can help to ensure you have the right energy stores to get your through your workout and will help your body to translate that workout into results. Carbohydrate-rich foods and fluids can help “top off’ glycogen stores giving you sustainable energy for exercise, while protein can help to preserve muscle mass built during a workout for example.
Fueling your body for a workout can begin up to eight hours before a session. Consuming carbohydrates in the lead up to your gym visit can give your body stores to draw from when working hard. Ideally you should then eat an easy to digest snack one to four hours pre-workout – you can test how this works for you and find your best pre-workout nutrition schedule to suit your body, workout and health and fitness goals.
A satisfying pre-workout snack doesn’t have to be complicated. The following are some easy ways to fill up before you hit the gym:
Generally, you should have a hit of protein within 30 minutes post-session and protein with every meal if possible. Your post-workout protein hit is also just as easy.
Post-workout snacks could include:
Above all you should be consuming water frequently before, during and after your routine. What and when you eat can make a big difference to your performance and recovery. Well-balanced meals are important for energy production, recovery, prevention of injuries and proper growth. Both meal composition and meal timing must be individualised for each person based on gender, age, body type and the type, intensity, duration and frequency of activity. Remember that each body is different, as is each training regime, so make sure you listen to your body so you can determine what’s right for you when striving for your fitness goals.
I am one of the foundation members of PCYC Maranoa. I was one of the first people to walk through the doors when the centre first opened in 2012!
I absolutely love the space, the facilities, and it feels like home. I enjoy coming to the group fitness classes and appreciate all the programs PCYC Queensland provides for the community, especially its engagement with youth and police to form better connections within the community. I really feel comfortable and safe when working out there.
I am training to walk the Camino de Santiago trail from Portugal to Spain!
I would say the rowing machine. It is perfect for everything. It targets the full body, a great way to get some cardio in, takes pressure off my joints.
Discover PCYC Maranoa or view the club timetable.
Meet Michael! He’s one of our bubbly and cheeky Gym+Fitness members at PCYC Ipswich.
I have been a member of the PCYC Ipswich for over 3 years.
I love the gym atmosphere and mate ship that I have found at the PCYC Ipswich. The space is well kept and has great new equipment. The atmosphere is also made by the people who are easy to talk to.
During my fitness journey I never thought that I would get so big and strong. I fell in love with the process of beating my own numbers and seeing the results on my body. With consistency I felt that the journey was fun and easy. I hope with consistency; I will find my way to the body building stage and win.
My favourite movements are anything chest related, however if I have to choose one, I will choose the incline bench press.
Discover PCYC Ipswich or view the club timetable.
If you’ve ever stepped into the PCYC South Burnett gym and been greeted with a big smile and an infectious energy, chances are, Lori was in the building! She welcomes everyone with enthusiasm and is always ready to push them to their limits.
💪 Favourite Exercise: Burpees (of course!)
🔥 Favourite Sayings: “The taste of vomit after a workout is the taste of success.”
My fitness journey began 16 years ago as a volunteer. From there, I became a group fitness trainer and progressed to a personal trainer.
Everything! I love inspiring and encouraging people to achieve things they never thought possible. I love the lifestyle, feeling fit and strong, staying busy, and being a role model for my family and community.
I am always training to reach new personal bests, believing that progressive overload is the key to getting stronger.
My favourite moment in my journey would have to be completing Level 2 CrossFit training!
Discover PCYC South Burnett or view the club timetable.
By our Gym+Fitness team at PCYC Beenleigh
Staying fit to keep up with our children is something we all must do. But what if you can keep fit with your kids? You’re getting in exercise; they’re burning all that energy and potentially need an early night. A win-win!
Physical activity improves overall physical fitness. By being active, your little ones develop cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance, all while promoting agility and developing balance. Using the large muscles of the arms, legs, and body by crawling, running, and jumping, children hone ‘whole body movement’ skills which develop gross motor skills in a way like no other. The best thing we can do as parents is to be the best and healthiest version of ourselves.
By making time for our own exercise, making healthy food choices and demonstrating a positive attitude to our own body shape, we have a huge impact on our children. Although this is not always easy, it is truly the most effective and powerful road to take.
Doing a form of exercise as a family will build healthy habits in your child by getting active with them at a young age. You can all enjoy the health benefits mentioned above by working out together.
Bush/Beach walks
We are very lucky in Australia to be blessed with amazing treks inland, and kilometers of coastline to get those steps in. Maybe set a little challenge to see if you can do 1-3km as a family with a very light jog and go from there (A 7-year-old can average 15,000 steps a day so go that bit further).
Create your own mobile gym
A couple of towels, some basic weights, a resistance band or two and you’re set. The hardest part is deciding where to set the gym up. Is it going to be the park, near the beach, the garage at home or at a friend’s house where there is more equipment?
Swimming
Swimming is a life skill we all should have, but also is an awesome way to keep fit. See who can get the most lengths completed in a certain time or over the course of a month, to create a habit and some consistency in training.
Bike
A great family activity is going on a big bike ride and seeing where you end up. There are so many designated cycle tracks with picnic stops along the way, make a day of it and burn a good few hundred calories in the process.
Your children will make you accountable for staying active and moving, as you would for them. Keep all parties happy by doing a few things together and reap the rewards.
By Rhys, Club Manager at PCYC Logan
Strength training is one of the most effective ways to improve your overall health and fitness, yet many people still shy away from it due to common myths or misunderstandings. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the basics of strength training, explore its many benefits, and clear up some of the most common myths. Whether you’re new to exercise or looking to take your fitness to the next level, strength training has something to offer everyone.
This is also referred to as resistance training. This is where you use any form of object (e.g., bar, dumbbell, resistance band or even body weight) to create a resistance against the muscle to stimulate the muscle. One type of strength training is Hypertrophy training which uses less weight to stimulate the muscle (e.g., 3 sets, 12 reps of a workout). This stimulates the muscle in a range of motion for a high number of reps that we can use a lighter weight that will be healthier for the joints. If you are training to be as strong as you possibly could, you would use heavy weights to build your muscle, in a smaller number of reps (e.g., 6 sets of 3 reps).
Men in their first year of training are likely to see anywhere between 5-10kg of muscle mass built in their first year. For women, it is half of this with 2.5-5kg of muscle. In the second year, those numbers are halved – men will gain between 2.5-5kg and women 1.25-2.5kg. The third year, you half that again, and keep halving as the years go on. This means that getting bulky is out of the equation.
One of the major benefits is reducing the chances of muscle atrophy – where your muscle drops off the body over a period of time. Most inactive adults will experience 8% of muscle mass loss per decade, leading to an increase in body fat and reduction in daily calorie expenditure.
Sarcopenia is becoming more common in adults and sedentary workers. This is where your body reduces the muscle mass loss per decade at a higher rate. This is a lot more common now that we are living in the sedentary age. This puts older adults at risk of having falls, breaking hips, having their bone mineral density drop, lower muscle mass and a higher risk of injury. The only cure to this is resistance training. It will happen to those who do not train. We want to train for the life we want to live for the rest of our lives.
Another major benefit is injury prevention. Your body will push through a large range of motions that will reduce the number of injuries. For example, single leg exercises will reduce the amount of muscle tears in older adults as there is strength in those areas, and shoulder excercises with weights will reduce joint injuries.
Below are a plethera of other benefits you recieve when you do strength training:
The work we do in the gym allows us to live a better quality of life outside of the gym.
Training in a progressive overload is a sustainable way for training long-term. This is the ability to continuously make your workouts harder so the muscle does not adjust to the stimulant.
A great example of this is the tale of Milo and the bull. Milo was a farm boy that carried a calf on his shoulder every day. As the calf grew in size and became a bull, Milo grew stronger and was able to carry the bull on his shoulders. Milo used weight as a metric of measure, but you can use other tools to make your training harder (e.g., increasing reps or sets, slowing your movement, changing the tempo, changing equipment types). If we don’t do this, we will stay the same. After 4 weeks, what you started doing will become too easy, so you will need to measure. What gets measured gets improved.
Our goal is to quite literally microscopically tear a muscle. When we finish working out, our body will work to repair or replace the damaged muscle fibers through a cellular process where it fuses the muscle fibers together, to form new muscle protein strands. These repaired muscle strands will increase in thickness and number to create muscle growth. If you don’t eat enough protein, the muscle will not be able to heal correctly, and you will feel sorer for longer. This all happens while we rest, that is why rest is so important in the first 24-48 hours after your workout.
Want to start incorporating strength training into your routine, but not sure where to start? As a PCYC Gym+Fitness member, you can participate in our Activ8 Group Training classes, specifically our Activ8 Strength classes every Tuesday & Thursday!
Don’t have Activ8 Group Training at your club? You can participate in our Activ8 Fundamentals program that includes a range of strength training to incorporate into your routine!
By our Gym+Fitness team at
The benefits of keeping our bodies fit and active as we transition into retirement not only have added social benefits but can also go a long way to support a more enjoyable and prolonged life. Exercise has been shown to prevent disease, lower the risk of falls, improve mental health and well-being, strengthen social ties and improve cognitive function.
You should aim for about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day. Moderate-intensity exercise should make you feel a bit breathless, but you should still be able to talk comfortably. Incorporate different types of physical activity into your daily routine. This will keep it interesting and easier to stick to over time.
If you are stuck for ideas please drop into your local PCYC Queensland Gym+Fitness Club and a member of the team will show you our Activ8 Fundamentals program. This program offers all Gym+Fitness members 4 to 12 weeks of support from qualified Trainers – free of charge!
By our Gym+Fitness team at PCYC Hills District
Exercise is often praised for its physical benefits, but its impact on mental health can be equally profound. Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on mental well-being, offering a holistic approach to mental health maintenance and improvement.
One of the most notable benefits of exercise on mental health is its ability to reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. These endorphins not only enhance your sense of well-being but also help to alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling more relaxed and at ease.
Exercise can also serve as a powerful distraction from negative thoughts and rumination. By focusing your attention on physical activity, you can temporarily shift your focus providing a much-needed mental break. This diversion can help break the cycle of negative thinking patterns and provide a sense of relief and clarity.
Regular exercise has also been linked to improved sleep quality, another crucial aspect of mental health. Sleep plays a vital role in regulating mood, cognition, and emotional well-being. By engaging in physical activity, you can promote better sleep patterns, helping you feel more refreshed and energised during the day.
Exercise offers opportunities for social interaction and connection, which are essential for mental health. Whether it’s joining a group training class, going for a walk with a friend, or participating in team sports; exercising with others can provide a sense of camaraderie and support. These social connections can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, fostering a sense of belonging and community. If you have a club with Activ8 Group Training nearby, give it a go and find a new workout buddy!
In addition to its immediate benefits, regular exercise can also have long-term effects on mental health. Research suggests that consistent physical activity may reduce the risk of developing certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders. By incorporating exercise into your daily routine, you can build resilience to stress and improve your overall psychological well-being over time.
Whether it’s a brisk walk, a yoga session, or a high-intensity workout, finding activities that you enjoy and that suit your lifestyle is key to maintaining a consistent exercise routine.
Exercise is a powerful tool for promoting mental health and well-being. By prioritising exercise as part of your self-care routine, you can cultivate a healthier mind and body, ultimately leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.
By our Gym+Fitness team at PCYC Goondiwindi
Is sugar really bad for you? Is it addictive? How much is too much? Are there different types of sugar? In this article we aim to answer all your questions and bust all the myths surrounding the great sugar debate!
In a nutshell sugar is simple carbohydrate. Carbohydrates along with Protein and Fat are Macronutrients that provide your body with energy. Our bodies need varying amounts of each macronutrient to function. Sugar comes in many forms – fructose, glucose, sucrose, lactose, and they all have a different effect on the body and brain.
Sugar is sugar, no matter how processed, fancy or popular it is.
– Tara Leong, ‘The Nutrition Guru and the Chef’
Sugar can be found in many natural and processed foods. Dairy products, vegetables, soy products and of course natures natural lolly – fruit. Fruits and vegetables contain many more necessary micronutrients and should be included in a healthy well-balanced diet. Processed sugar is often used as a flavour enhancer and preservative in packaged foods. ie Lollies, soft drinks, cakes and pastries fruit juice and condiments … the list goes on!
Food Standards Australia recommends for an adult of a healthy body mass index to consume no more then 50g or 12 teaspoons of free sugar per day. Free sugar includes all sugars defined as added sugars and the sugar component of honey, fruit juice and fruit juice concentrates. You may find it interesting to track your sugar over the course of a week. Make note of the sugar content on all labels – cereals, pasta sauces, spreads as well as drinks and sugar added to teas and coffees. You might be surprised! A study from the Sugar Nutrition Resource Centre shows that in 2011-12, Australians consumed an average of 60 grams of free sugars per day (equivalent to 14 teaspoons of white sugar). The majority of free sugar intakes comes from added sugars with an average 52 grams (or 12 teaspoons), with 7 grams of free sugars coming from honey and fruit juice. One 375ml can of soft drink contains over 44grams of sugar!
Sugar addiction has been the subject of many books, diets, and studies over the last few years, but is it really addictive? One study done on animals showed similar effects of bingeing and withdrawal behaviour similar to drug abuse. (Colantuoni et al., 2001/2002) The reviewed evidence supports the theory that in certain people, often obese and/or bulimic, sugar can lead to behaviour and neurochemical changes that resemble the effects of a substance of abuse. In a well-balanced diet, there is no evidence of sugar dependence. (Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews)
Does sugar cause disease? Well not directly…it’s the amount of sugar consumed that has an adverse effect on the body. Excess sugar can lead to several health complications – obesity, metabolic syndrome and inflammatory diseases just to name a few. Different types of sugars have different effects on the body and brain.
“The body does not respond the same way to fructose in fruit as to added fructose. As an added sugar, fructose is particularly implicated in metabolic syndrome, hypertension, insulin resistance, lipogenesis, diabetes and associated retinopathy, kidney disease and inflammation.” (Impact of sugar on the body, brain and behaviour. Frontiers in bioscience)
The answer to the BIG question is NO and YES.
NO – If we are consuming the right amount of sugar for our daily intake from natural sugars with the occasional treat, we can sustain a health body and mind.
YES – If consuming excessive amounts of sugars above the recommended daily intake from processed and added sugar foods and drinks, we can develop poor health and disease.
All in all, moderation is key when it comes to sugar.
– Tammy Bell, PCYC Goondiwindi
