Wes Bau Personal Training wins Whitsundays and Bowen’s best gym | 2023

With almost half of the region’s votes, Boxing, Muay Thai coach and personal trainer, Wes Bau has claimed the title of Whitsundays and Bowen’s best gym for 2023.

After a triumphant win in 2019, Wes Bau Personal Training has reclaimed the title of Whitsundays and Bowen’s best gym with an overwhelming majority — almost half — of the region’s votes.

Beginning in the garage of his Mooloolaba home with a pair of hand mitts, skipping ropes and mats in 2006, Wes Bau’s decision to start Wes Bau Personal Training was fuelled by his passion for boxing.

Raised between Bowen and Goondiwindi, Mr Bau started boxing at a very young age influenced by his uncle Dough Duffy, who was an Australian Champion and established the Cobra Boxing club in Ayr 1982.

“It’s in my blood,” Mr Bau said.

In his youth, Mr Bau was very active in the Goondiwindi sporting community, playing rugby and BMX riding before moving to the sunshine coast taking up boxing.

He then spent eight years as an amateur boxer along the east coast (from Hervey Bay to Coffs Harbour).

As well as his lifelong boxing experience, Mr Bau has been recently awarded the level C coaching certification for Muay Thai, which he obtained while studying the martial art in Thailand for four weeks.

“I still remain closely connected with my coach,” he said.

“They became a great influence on my desire to bring authentic Muay Thai coaching and training back home to Australia.”

Sir Paul McCartney in rumoured flying visit to Hamilton Island

Before he decided to pursue a career in personal training, Mr Bau worked in security and as a painter for his father’s company, PJ Bau painter.

After a decade of running his business on the Sunshine Coast, Mr. Bau returned to Bowen in 2016 when his father fell ill and established his gym in the area.
“I was using another gym for three years or so in Bowen, then covid hit and I had to shut it down,” he said.

“I was training from the front beach, until I found the current gym in the middle of covid.”

Mr Bau put all of his savings into making the gym, the inviting and vibrant place that it is today.

“I am very focused on diversity,” he said.

A diversity gym, offering other services such as a massage table and sauna, Wes Bau Personal Training encompasses a 220 square metre space with two split level, and has more than 40-55 members.

“I’m open armed with everyone, and want them to feel safe with me.”

Tyrese James Kennedy sentenced in Proserpine Magistrates Court for break and enter

Combining boxing and Muay Thai coaching with personal training, Mr Bau trains kids as young as six through to all ages, specialising in disability and rehabilitation.

Working closely with his client, Elvis who has down syndrome, for the last four years, doctors have been amazed at their progress.

“I teach him to kick, knee, elbow, and his balance, muscle growth and co-ordination has greatly improved because of this.”

Wes Bau, pictured with his long term client, Elvis.

With a casual membership that has stayed the same price since the gym’s opening, and no entry paperwork, Mr Bau prides himself in keeping the gym ‘open armed’.

“No red tape, everyone’s open armed,” he said.

“Seventeen years in the industry, I haven’t injured anyone and I’ve trained thousands of people.”

A close knit team, Mr Bau only has only one other staff member at the gym, Willow Kirk Gaffney, a year 12 student who has been working there for three years and has just finished her Certificate 3 in Fitness.

“I’m always grateful that the Bowen and Whitsundays community have been supportive to me over the years. Together with handwork and their support Wes Bau Personal Training has grown to be what it is today,” Mr Bau said.

Amp‘D Fitness came runner up with 21 per cent of the votes.