Joel Chant crowned best personal trainer in The Hills for 2023

The people have spoken and we can now reveal who has been crowned the best personal trainer in The Hills for 2023. Find out who took out the win!

Joel Chant, Evolve Fitness Glenhaven Post foam fest in late November 2023, including a 70 year old member of the team taking part in her first event

The votes are in and tallied and we can now reveal the winner of the best personal trainer in The Hills for 2023!

The quest to reveal the region’s best fitness guru was tightly contested, but the votes spoke for themselves as to who inspires the health-conscious residents of The Hills to hit that early morning alarm and break a sweat.

Following a call-out on Facebook where we were overwhelmed with responses, nominations went out for people to vote, resulting in a plethora of messages sharing how their personal trainers changed their lives.

Joel Chant at Evolve Fitness Glenhaven quickly rose to the top of the nominations.

Joel Chant with his team prior to the Sydney Marathon in September. Picture: supplied.

Kayla Arcifa named Mr Chant, along with his team members Melissa Zerafa and Edda Flaskis, as among the region’s most dedicated trainers.

“The three of them are the most supportive, kind team ever,” Ms Arcifa said.

“They make exercise so much fun and the community that Joel has built up is so supportive and friendly,” she added.

“Even if you don’t know anyone in that session, everyone is always happy to chat and support one another and that’s … because of the culture that Joel facilitates”.

Karen Tallon described Mr Chant as “a great person” who “takes the time to get to know everyone”.

“He’s knowledgeable in all things health and fitness and every session is a challenge but lots of fun,” Ms Tallon said. “Not a single class is the same”.

Joel Chant with his kids at the end of the Sydney Marathon earlier this year. Picture: supplied.

Mr Chant said he was “really excited” to hear he had been recognised for his commitment to keeping The Hills fit and healthy.

“It’s not like a gym; it’s actually more like a fitness family,” Mr Chant said of what sets his personal training business apart.

“That creates a really good culture”.

He said he founded the business almost 14 years ago with the goal of bringing people together to train outdoors and support one another in their fitness journey.

Joel Chant post-Sydney marathon with his team. Picture: supplied.

Celebrating with the team after the Foam Fest fun run in late November. Picture: supplied.

“As technology advances, everyone relies on [it],” Mr Chant explained.

“But I find that personal connection so important and helping people individually with their technique and getting to know them, there’s no substitute for that,” he said.

His team celebrated completing the Sydney Marathon in September, with Mr Chant competing alongside them in his first marathon in a decade.

“I hadn’t run a microphone in 10 years, so I made sure I trained with everyone and did it with them. That was that was probably this year’s highlight,” the top PT said.

Mr Chant said he believed his business had thrived over the years because “I love helping people”.

“That’s the main driving force behind everything I do.”

Following on in second and third place in our poll were Lara Perrett from Maxfit Rouse Hill and Damon Smith at Real Fitness Training respectively.