The challenge has also had me reflecting on my personal journey towards health and fitness. I am currently two and a half years into this journey, and I plan on staying the course for the rest of my life. When I re-joined the gym two and a half years ago I was unfit and unhealthy. I was definitely carrying more weight than I should. I am proud of what I have achieved since then. I need to keep in mind and remember just how far I have come. Some days I look at my body and it doesn’t look like my body. I am probably in the best shape that I have ever been in my entire life.

Before I joined the Gym, I would spend 8 hours plus a day in meetings or hunched over a computer. This developed poor posture and tension in my neck, shoulders and back leading to regular chiropractor appointments and almost weekly neck massages to relieve the knots. Since I began training and subsequently retired from paid work, I have not needed an appointment with the Chiropractor and only get a neck massage around six times a year. I now walk with much more freedom and I am pain free.

I remember telling Lasantha that one of my fitness goals was just to generally “tone up” and I don’t think I actually knew what that meant. Lasantha has given me a great leeway into the world of fitness and has helped me really make use of my membership in terms of using the vast amount of equipment that the gym has to offer.

The overall environment and atmosphere at Element has always been so welcoming and friendly, all the equipment is clean and organised and the classes are well run too. 

I love all the friendly staff and the other gym members. I’m always greeted at the door, and everyone is always nice and friendly. The equipment at the gym is great, it’s close and convenient for me.

I thought as the owner of Element Fitness I would share my fitness journey as well

It’s so nice to be back at a smaller gym like Element where everyone is so friendly, all the members, instructors and reception staff. I always feel so welcome, Element is such an inclusive gym and I feel really connected and comfortable here.

I’ve joined the Virtual classes in April since the first lock down started. I enjoy the varieties and well balanced classes offered each week. Because it’s virtual, I have the convenience and time flexibility to try most of the classes and include my favorite classes into my daily routine.

I am very grateful to be part of the virtual Element fitness community and it has been great doing virtual classes with the crew at Element during lockdown in Melbourne. I have enjoyed the interaction with all the instructors and other members. It is hard to stay motivated when you exercise at home by yourself so having virtual classes really help