FNQ’s 20 best gyms, fitness centres, personal trainers, pilates and yoga studios

The Handstand Hub, adored by its members and described as an ‘adult playground’ by its owners, is first cab off the rank on the list of FNQ’s best gyms. SEE THE FULL LIST

The fitness industry in the Far North copped a massive knock during Covid, but not only has it survived the crisis, local centres have rebounded with impressive vigour.

Fitness enterprises from Innisfail to Port Douglas are growing and residents visit them with dreams of discovering greater physical health among like-minded communities.

The reason for this lies in the creative minds, professional eyes and entrepreneurial spirits of FNQ business owners – the personal trainers, pilates teachers, martial arts experts, CrossFit instructors, gym gurus and yogis who call the region home and put their customers’ needs first.

Conan Maestrom, owner and trainer at Elite 818. Photo: supplied.

Some have integrated multiple fitness disciplines under one roof so their customers don’t need several memberships to practice their favourite activities. Others have taken their business online so their members can access classes from home. Many have doubled down on simple, old-fashioned customer service to ensure everyone feels comfortable and empowered to build their healthiest self.

These 20 enterprises are proven to be FNQ’s most proficient in building business by helping people achieve their fitness goals.

Here are FNQ’s 20 most successful, locally-grown fitness enterprises*.

HANDSTAND HUB

Owners: Hannah Singleton and David D’Amore

Established: 2018

Suburb: Cairns City

The prize for Cairns’ most alternative fitness style probably goes to the Handstand Hub, and owner Hannah Singleton says that’s why its members love it.

True to its name, people can discover the surprising fitness gains achieved through inverted physical poses and have a tonne of fun while doing so.

Ms Singleton describes the studio as “an adult playground” and says the lack of mirrors and egos makes the Handstand Hub a very humble place to train.

“There is a lot of fun and laughter here,” she said.

Along with brand promotion and investment in marketing, prioritising fun has possibly been the most fundamental component of the Handstand Hub’s growth.

Members, such as Holly Muir, embody the essence of the gym’s values, fun and personal growth, which attracts others to the business.

Holly also inspired the brand’s logo.

“She’s amazing. She can now do a one-arm handstand and has even inspired her dad to join the classes,” said Ms Singleton.

“He was limited with his mobility, but now he’s holding a 60-second handstand, which is super inspiring and impressive. He always has something supportive to say too.”

The Handstand Hub plans to run kids’ classes during the school term as well as online coaching and classes, which are currently in development.

CROSSFIT DUNGEON

Owners: Sharon and Malcolm Wright

Established: 2012 (bought 2014)

Suburb: Manunda

CrossFit Dungeon is homegrown in the truest sense. Owned and operated by power couple Sharon and Malcolm Wright, it has developed a localised system of total quality management wherein all of its coaches are trained and mentored in-house. This means staff alignment with business values and absolute quality of fitness coaching is ensured.

“We deliver exceptional professionalism. Regardless of who the coach is, you get the same level of quality,” said Mr Wright.

Sharon and Malcolm have expanded into the shed next door to create a large, abstract space, but without losing its friendly atmosphere that sees new members personally welcomed to the group.

Included in CrossFit Dungeon’s member mix are five families who Mr Wright says are “families to be reckoned with”. Among them is father-son duo Phil and Jiel Mindel who both compete in high-level CrossFit competitions. Jiel in particular has improved his fitness so much in the past three years that Mr Wright considers him as “probably the gym’s best athlete”.

CrossFit Dungeon will eventually move towards an “all-encompassing health, fitness and wellness facility”, complete with CrossFit, weightlifting, massage and physio.

THE GROUND

Owners: Cass Olholm and Jake Masters

Established: 2018

Suburb: Bungalow

Whether you’d classify the Ground as a CrossFit gym or a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) studio, there’s no denying it’s one of the most popular fitness destinations in Cairns.

You can spot its members, more like a large fitness friend group, all over town sporting branded shirts. It also has the largest Instagram following of any fitness franchise in the region with 10,200 followers.

Owner Cass Olholm says her priority is to foster an-inclusive environment for all.

“When you open a fitness business, you need a point of difference. Ours is a big focus on community. You are welcome here no matter who you are,” said Ms Olholm.

Many members frequent the Ground to merely experience the heart-pumping workouts, but there are several such as Nattiesa Van Pelt, who continually leave the trainers amazed. Ms Van Pelt is a mother of three and continued her intense training through two pregnancies, eventually completing an overhead lift of 80kg.

“She’s an absolute weapon,” says Ms Olholm.

YOUR FITNESS

Owner: Marsha Rohweder

Established: 2008

Suburb: Cairns City

Your Fitness is one of the longest operating fitness enterprises in Cairns, and arguably its largest. Owner Marsha Rohweder first established an 800 sq m gym at The Pier in 2008, but then outgrew the space and moved to a 2000 sq m heritage building on Grafton St to accommodate more fitness disciplines, such as yoga classes, so her customers didn’t have to go elsewhere.

“We’re a one-stop shop. We have a physio on site and many different classes. We will continue to move with the fitness industry and incorporate new fitness styles to avoid pigeonholing the gym,” said Ms Rohweder.

Your Fitness has become the go-to option for high-performance athletes and sporting groups because of its size, range of facilities and modern equipment. Ms Rohweder has seen Olympic teams, Rugby League World Cup squads and big-wave surfers come through her doors. To build a business of this standing, she says one needs to be adaptable and prepared for hard work.

“I used to advertise through flyers, print and television media. Now it’s almost all through social media. You need to get across these changes.”

HARTIG YOGA

Owner: Beth Hartig

Established: 2015

Suburb: Palm Cove

If you don’t like being confined by mirror-studded walls and surrounded by noisy speakers and sweaty equipment, and you’re looking to synergise mind, body and soul, then Hartig Yoga might be more your vibe.

All of Hartig Yoga’s classes are outdoors and ocean side, allowing a practitioner to focus their mind on the sounds of the lapping waves and wind in the trees. Owner Beth Hartig says this, coupled with the inclusive atmosphere, draws locals and tourists alike.

“People like the way we communicate at Hartig Yoga. Our classes serve to uplift people emotionally and mentally, which we definitely need now more than ever,” she said.

To build a business like Hartig Yoga that retains many of its customers, Ms Hartig says you need to really practise what you preach and demonstrate your commitment to the yogic journey.

“Be consistent, keep learning and refreshing your knowledge. Also, be prepared to start small. I had one or two people attend my first classes and supported myself with other jobs. Now I have up to twenty people in my classes and work in my business full-time.”

DF GYM

Owner: Patrick Doherty

Established: 2009

Suburb: Manunda

DF Gym owner Patrick Doherty celebrating with his team and members at the gym's open day. Photo: supplied.

Whether you want to learn some basic martial arts techniques and get fit at the same time or progress to elite fighter status, DF Gym, a Muay Thai and personal training facility, has got you covered.

“We focus on everyone — kids, grannies, we have a large community,” said owner Patrick Doherty.

“You can’t be in it for the dollars, not at the start. You have to be in it for the passion. It’s taken 13 years of hard work, but we stuck to the plan and now we’re growing.”

DF Gym is about to double in size with a second facility set to open across the road that Mr Doherty says will bring Cairns a Muay Thai centre that hasn’t been seen before. It will include ice baths, a sauna and three boxing rings.

Such growth also allows Mr Doherty to focus beyond his bottom line.

“The new facility will allow us to further our not-for-profit work — running more events so we can raise money to support kids … and help them participate in Muay Thai tournaments all over the world.”

1 MILLION STRONG AND FIVE STAR FITNESS

Owner: Neil Undy

Established: 2017 (1 Million Strong), 2018 (Five Star Fitness)

Suburbs: Smithfield (1 Million Strong), Earlville (Five Star Fitness)

If you ask around town for people’s commercial gym of choice, it won’t take long to be told about 1 Million Strong or Five Star Fitness, and they’ll possibly be mentioned in the same breath.

Both owned by Neil Undy, they boast state-of-the-art equipment and quality customer service, as well as the largest Facebook following for any Cairns fitness enterprises.

Both gyms have amassed a 4000-strong member base between them, which Mr Undy says has been built simply by offering customers the best.

“Bring the community a facility that as soon as they walk through the doors they are sold not only from what they see but also from how they are dealt with by your staff,” he said.

“Word of mouth is key, look after your community and they will look after you.”

The 1 Million Strong brand has already found itself well established in Townsville, but Mr Undy has no plans to stop there.

“I plan to take 1 Million Strong further south to show Australia the difference we bring to the fitness game.”

CAIRNS PILATES BARRE

Owner: Janine Nooptech

Established: 2016

Suburb: Smithfield

Although Janine Nooptech established Cairns Pilates Barre in 2016 she has decades of fitness industry experience, complimented by a stringent 500-hour Body Arts and Science International (BASI) qualification.

This focus on professional development and expertise allows Janine to construct an epic suite of pilates classes, all of them embroidered with creativity and personalised to class composition.

“We have a well-trained eye for the body. People really notice a difference when they come to us because it’s a real head to toe workout,” said Ms Nooptech.

“Our classes are low impact but pack a punch. You’ll definitely sweat and feel the burn, and you’ll definitely get a good bum.”

Simone Neumuller is one client who has made the most of her time at Cairns Pilates Barre, first coming to the studio with pain issues she has since rectified through one of Janine’s strengthening programs.

“She is an amazing client who has achieved a huge transformation and looks incredible. She has strengthened her muscles and can now do exercises that she never thought she was capable of.”

Members will soon be able to access live online classes as well as an increased amount of body movement workshops.

Ms Nooptech will also add more scheduled classes to meet increasing demand.

KOR FITNESS AND HEALTH 24/7

Owner: Luke Witham

Established: 2013

Suburb: Edmonton

Kor Fitness is a well-established gym in the south side of Cairns, and is consistently found in other ‘top’ lists along with big franchise gyms.

The facility offers 22 classes per week that include Kor’s own take on HIIT as well as classic fitness classes.

“Our goal is to make our centre as good as it can be, and that’s driven by feedback,” says owner Luke Witham.

Nine years in the local industry, and a sizeable customer base means Mr Witham is well placed to offer advice on starting a fitness enterprise.

“Care about your customers and their goals. If you don’t, you won’t get very far. People will see through you if you’re not genuine,” he said.

The gym’s modern equipment and Incredible Hulk colour scheme are probably secondary things noticed by customers on first entry.

What’s first?

A monster fish tank in the lobby with a rare fish collection.

“It was a hobby that got a bit out of control. It’s definitely a quirk.”

CORE LIFE YOGA

Owner: Jen Hamilton

Established: 2006

Suburb: Kewarra Beach

Jen Hamilton has practised yoga since she was 16 and has taught it for more than 25 years. She opened her first gym at Smithfield in 1996, transitioned strictly to yoga instruction in 2006 and now offers public, corporate, and school classes as well as yoga retreats and teacher training.

Her aim is to build awareness of the health benefits of yoga within the community.

“The Covid pandemic has affected so many of us mentally and physically. Self-care must be a priority for us to function well personally and within our relationships, work and community,” said Ms Hamilton.

Core Life Yoga’s classes are “immersed within the natural environment,” hosted at the Beach Shack in Kewarra Beach Resort with views of Double Island. Ms Hamilton says this, coupled with a sense of welcome and belonging, makes each class a positive, nourishing and meaningful experience.

With her approach to yoga, Ms Hamilton says she witnesses daily the profound mental and spiritual effects that yoga can have on people. This dedication and sensitivity to client needs she says is key to building a yoga community.

“[A new yoga business] needs to understand that building a yoga community takes time. Be as fully informed as possible, understand your strengths and limitations and have a business plan.”

IRON STRENGTH POWER AND PERFORMANCE

Owners: Elias Wright and Jacqueline Feher

Established: 2015

Suburb: Portsmith

What happens when you mix big weights, a family business and a thriving community? You get Iron Strength Power and Performance.

Iron Strength focuses on strength gains and powerlifting over the kinds of flashy muscle flexing that you’d see at Venice Beach. This means learning how to move the body under heavy weights at low repetitions.

“This year we have partnered with other local, like businesses to help grow the industry and give strength sports more visibility in the community,” says owner Elias Wright.

“We are also running more strength competitions specifically for those new to the strength scene. This past weekend we saw 34 novice lifters in competition for the first time.”

Mr Wright says equipment comes second to caring for his gym community.

“Always strive to provide the best service. It’s also important that you establish a vision, mission and values that underpin everything you do in your business. And get a gym dog.”

Mr Wright gave credit to Grace Harding as an “up-and-coming powerlifter.”

“She recently competed at a novice powerlifting competition with a … 330kg total in the under 72kg class at only 15 years of age. She also won the referee’s choice award for overall performance, attitude and sportsmanship.”

MARLIN COAST CROSSFIT

Owner: Ashton Purkiss

Established: 2013

Suburb: Smithfield

The members and trainers at Marlin Coast CrossFit like to work hard, achieve big and get social afterwards. The space is open and large, more than 500 sq m, which allows for a combination of group sessions and one-on-one coaching.

The team of full-time coaches, led by owner Ashton Purkiss, are careful to ensure that no member is overlooked.

“We love helping new members and believe in building a great foundation from the beginning,” said Mr Purkiss.

“All of our new members start off doing one-on-one training to learn correct technique and gain confidence before joining the group coaching classes.”

Once the hard work is over, members can chill at the onsite cafe or join in with one of the many social events hosted by Marlin Coast, contributing to what Mr Purkiss says is a great gym community.

Several members have successfully launched competitive careers from Marlin Coast, including Josh Elerid who competes at national level CrossFit events, and Katherine Savory who competed at a national weightlifting event.

PORT DOUGLAS GYM

Owners: Hamish and Taylor Melody

Bought: 2019

Suburb: Port Douglas

Port Douglas Gym is the only commercial size gym in the popular tourist town it calls home. Owned by Hamish and Taylor Melody since 2019, the gym captures a significant membership base that includes a cosmopolitan mix of tourists, seasonal workers, and loyal locals.

According to Mr Melody, one local gentleman in his 80s visits the gym every day and sticks to his row machine and free weight routine without failure.

“The fitness industry has just gone crazy since Covid. We get a lot of repeat visitors here,” said Mr Melody.

“People want to keep up their fitness regimen even while on holidays, which means some tourists are searching for the nearest gym before they’re even looking for their accommodation.”

Mr Melody believes that the successful operation of a fitness enterprise comes back to classic micro-economic understanding — have knowledge of your competition, secure favourable and secure contracts and know your local market.

For example, Port Douglas Gym understands the importance of the tourist segment within their target market and the owners have created membership options to suit that segment accordingly.

“If you’re ever in Port Douglas and looking to train, come in and see us. We do casual visits and weekly passes for visitors.”

WILD HEART YOGA TRIBE

Owners: Jay Horton and Kylie Bertram

Established: 2017

Suburb: Edge Hill

Wild Heart Yoga Tribe has a couple of encouraging mottos that centre on the same sentiment — to make yoga enrich your life beyond the poses you strike on the mat.

Owners Kylie Bertram and Jay Horton moved up from Brisbane and started Wild Heart in 2017 intending to share their beloved lifestyle, the yoga path, with the residents of Cairns.

Since then, they have seen more than 17,000 people walk through their doors.

“It’s very hard to mix yoga with business given its spiritual nature. You need a desire to serve your community, but also a desire to ensure you’ll always be there for that community by making your business sustainable,” said Mr Horton.

Wild Heart’s instructors can twist and hold almost unbelievable poses with their bodies, but they maintain every pose is there to serve the yogi and not the other way around.

“It’s all about what you get from yoga, rather than just doing yoga. It’s about how it can reduce your stress, help you be present and therefore help with gratitude,” said Mr Horton.

One member who exemplifies Wild Heart’s yogic philosophy is Jeff Lockhard, who Mr Horton says is one his most joyful and warm students.

“He has made a dramatic change with his persona and body since he took on yoga. He exemplifies everything that we’re about here.”

Wild Heart is adding classes to an online platform to make them more affordable and accessible for some customers. They also plan to open a second studio at the Sunshine Coast next year.

FUSION FIGHT AND FITNESS

Owners: Jeska and Garrett Maunder

Established: 2011

Suburb: Stratford

Fusion Fitness is one of the most recognised fitness brands in Cairns.

It confidently claims to be the region’s dominant Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym by virtue of its multiple black belt instructors.

Their purpose-built facility, which is currently under expansion, includes gym equipment and can be accessed 24 hours any day by its members. Their classes are recorded and are available to review via an online platform. They also train from locations in Innisfail and Atherton, and are diversifying their expertise into other martial arts styles.

Owner Jeska Maunder says having a vision and noting down long-term goals is key to business growth.

Fusion’s growth will include an increased focus on their junior members.

“We are already one of the leading BJJ academies in Australia with a strong junior competition team. We will nurture those students into adulthood,” she said.

“We aim to create a ripple effect of motivated and disciplined individuals who achieve their potential inside and outside the academy.”

STUDIO A HEALTH AND FITNESS

Owner: Angela Armstrong

Established: 2013

Suburb: Manoora

Studio A Health and Fitness is an appointment-only personal and group training studio that also has a focus on endurance sport coaching.

Each person is trained individually and is treated by Studio A owner Angela Armstrong with possibly the best, most personalised customer service that could be found in Cairns.

“Here, my clients aren’t a number. We get to know them on a personal level outside of basic fitness goals. We notice if a member hasn’t shown up for a while,” she said.

Ms Armstrong began as a sole contractor and operated out of a separate gym in 2013. Her business grew to the point of needing additional trainers and its own space at Whitfield in 2016. It then outgrew that space and moved to its current studio on Pease St.

Ms Armstrong says old-school customer service is instrumental in achieving such successful business growth.

“Retaining a customer is easier than finding a new one. Recognise people, know their names, listen to them and know their goals.”

Ms Armstrong has many clients that she would consider to be standout performers, but Lynelle Blackensee came to mind first.

“The activity warm-ups would be difficult for her when she first came to me. She recently completed a 30km trail run and has her sights set on an ultra-marathon later this year. She has done so well and made so much progress.”

KYND STUDIO

Owner: Claudia Richardson

Established: 2021

Suburb: Edge Hill

Kynd studio is the youngest member of this list, but that means nothing for its popularity and recognition.

Barely 12 months old, it has accumulated a membership base that rivals its more established competitors while offering multiple fitness styles – pilates, yoga and barre – under the one roof.

“I love the three modalities, but I could never find all three in one spot. I had to have multiple memberships,” Kynd owner Claudia Richardson said.

Ms Richardson previously operated as a solo instructor out of the Tanks Art Centre. When Covid hit, she took her business completely online and retained much of her client base as a result.

Kynd offers 25 classes across all seven days of the week from its Edge Hill studio.

Classes can accommodate 19 people and often book out in advance of their scheduled time.

“Women often leave a gym because it is dirty. In here, my clients often comment on how beautiful and clean it is,” said Ms Richardson.

“From here, I want to offer more classes so we can better suit people’s schedules, which means expanding my team and training more people.”

Ms Richardson runs her own teacher training courses, which has led to her own staff learning from her.

One of them, Natasha Richardson, used to be a customer, but has since embraced Kynd wholeheartedly and left her corporate job to be a full-time yoga instructor.

“She’s now one of my most popular teachers,” said Ms Richardson.

ELITE 818

Owners: Saalia and Conan Maestrom

Established: 2019

Suburb: Craiglie

When it comes to finding inspiring personal trainers with hardcore health and fitness mindsets, you don’t have to look much further than Conan and Saalia Maestrom, owners of Elite 818 in Craiglie.

“We have schooled ourselves on personal transformation and have all the knowledge, from how you need to be training to what you need to be eating,” said Mr Maestrom.

“If someone trains for three hours a week, that means there is 165 hours where you are not, and those 165 hours really matter.”

Mr Maestrom says his business is not about aesthetics, but focuses instead on how his customers feel in their health.

“You want to know the quickest way to lose weight? Having gastro.

“We don’t focus on weight loss here, we focus on getting you healthy and the weight loss will follow.”

Elite 818 prides itself on its big, bright and functional training space that attracts a motivated client base. Mr Maestrom says the people are often surprised when they walk through the roller-door for the first time expecting to find a conventional gym environment.

“We don’t have angry dudes listening to hip-hop here,” he said.

“If you want to be successful, be very clear on who you want your target market to be, and then reverse-engineer your space to fit the needs of that market.”

Elite 818 will soon launch an elite master class for over 60s, as well as an elite juniors’ class that will teach kids about discipline and respect in tandem with their fitness coaching.

THINK FITNESS

Manager: Nic Morris

Established: 1994 (bought and rebranded 2018)

Suburb: Cairns North

217 Sheridan St has been a gym of some sort since 1994, but since being bought by Think Fitness in 2018, it’s become bigger and more modern without losing its no-nonsense approach to fitness and training.

“We’re easy going here, we’re not an Insta gym. Our members go about their business and just work out without the posing or chatting by the water cooler,” said Think Fitness manager Nic Morris

Think Fitness’s multi-story space is deceivingly large and contains “all the old favourites” when it comes to equipment. But its most endearing quality is perhaps its authentic customer service, demonstrated by all staff but particularly led by personal trainer Lisa Conyers.

“Lisa goes above and beyond and is great to the members. Within one day she’ll know everything about them: their names, their goals and the number of kids they have. She’s the glue in this place,” said Mr Morris.

This brand of customer service has driven a lot of referral business for Think Fitness.

“Word of mouth is really important. We get as much referral business here as we do advertised business. Make sure your members are happy and make sure their expectations are delivered.”

*The one qualifying criteria to enter this list — an enterprise must be native to FNQ, no external franchises (sorry World Gym, Genesis and F45 fans).

Originally published as FNQ’s 20 best gyms, fitness centres, personal trainers, pilates and yoga studios