Dubbo’s best personal trainers of 2020 revealed | Full list
We asked you who the best personal trainers in Dubbo were and the results are in. Voting was close and there was a three-way tie for the best PT title. MEET THE WINNERS
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After putting out a call out for nominations for Dubbo’s best personal trainer of 2020 and counting the votes, the winners can be revealed.
The Dubbo News readers had from Thursday to Sunday to have their say about who the best fitness gurus were and here’s who they chose as the best.
LISA TRATT, DUBBO RSL AQUATIC AND HEALTH CLUB
For 25 years Lisa has been a stalwart of the fitness industry in Dubbo and her empathetic approach to life has been pivotal to her success.
When she started out in the industry, the mother of four had “terrible anxiety” and the experience is something that’s made her relatable to thousands of clients over the years.
“I can see people when they walk in and they’re feeling really nervous and anxious and my heart goes out to them because that was me once,” Lisa said.
“I’d get up in front of people and I couldn’t move and then I couldn’t talk so it took me about three years before I started feeling comfortable.
“I loved it so much, I had to conquer the fear to do what I wanted to do. I wasn’t co-ordinated, I didn’t understand music, I had to overcome so many obstacles.”
Four years ago when she hit a semi trailer in her car, Lisa said realised her work as a personal trainer was nowhere near complete.
“I just didn’t get taken then because my job on this earth has not been done. I’m here to actually be a trainer and pass on all of the messages I’ve learnt.
“If you don’t have the obstacles you don’t learn how to get through them or to pass them … so you need to have the challenges to build a better you to create a better trainer.”
TOM BRIDGES, IDEAL ATHLETE
At 17 Tom Bridges thought he knew what he wanted to do with his life, but his direction quickly changed.
“I dropped out of school and originally wanted to go into the Army but I realised I had a bit more of a passion for fitness.
“I’ve always been into it.”
Six years on Tom now splits his time between running popular high intensity interval training classes at the Dubbo RSL Aquatic and Health Club, and training people in a shed in his backyard.
He started his own personal training business, Ideal Athlete, when COVID-19 forced gyms to close and hasn’t looked back.
“People felt a bit bad for us because we were out of work and I was lucky enough to have a fair few clients who supported me through it when the gyms were closed.
“I’m really thankful for that.”
Tom says seeing the whole-of-life benefits improved fitness brings his clients is the most rewarding part of his job.
“The clients get fitter, they achieve their goals and everything else in their life improves.”
ANGELA SEMMLER, THE SWEAT SHED DUBBO
Bright and bubbly Angela Semmler has only been a personal trainer for a few years but she’s quickly carved out a reputation as one of the most kind and supportive trainers in Dubbo.
With her sister-in-law Taylor, Ange is the face of The Sweat Shed and she says watching her clients mindsets change is the most exciting part of her job.
“When people come in they say they want to lose weight and look good … we’ve got the mentality that it shouldn’t be about looks, it should be about how you feel and how healthy you are.
“It hasn’t just been one client, it’s been a fair few clients that have really changed their mindset and mentality and it’s been great to watch.”
Ange says she never thought she would be voted one of Dubbo’s best personal trainers and the support she’s received has only given her more motivation.
“It’s amazing, I never would have thought I would be recognised.
“It’s made me realise what I’m doing everyday does help people and it’s great.”