Two F45 Gold Coast gyms produce two eight-week challenge global winners

TWO Gold Coast F45 gym members at two separate gyms have swept up the global competition after winning the eight-week challenge — and $10,000 cash for their blood, sweat and tears.

IT TOOK eight weeks for Helen Thompson-Colman to feel like a million bucks, another eight weeks for Jason Oberman to become a shredded machine, and 16 weeks for F45 Carrara and Nerang gym owners Dean, Mark and Brad Vigus to make global F45 history.

At the two eight-week challenges held this year, the Gold Coast gyms have produced two global winners.

These F45 winners have taken the global competition by storm. Photo by Richard Gosling

There are 1300 F45 studios across 38 countries and every challenge garners between 80,000 and 100,000 participants.

“To get two global winners, back to back on the Gold Coast — but then to have them from our two studios … it’s unbelievable,” Mr Vigus said.

Helen Thompson-Colman, from F45 Nerang, was announced the Global female winner of the 8 week challenge. Photo Supplied

Competitors are judged on weight loss and body fat percentage, taking into account age and height. The studio judges on those attributes as well as lean muscle mass and overall transformation.

Ms Thompson-Colman, 8.2kg lighter and down 11.1 per cent body fat, said she was surprised by the win.

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“It was tough. I gave it my all. I knew eight weeks wasn’t an awful long time, so I really committed to it and wanted to see if I gave it 100 per cent, what could I actually achieve.

“I needed something, a new focus. I wanted to be motivated again, I’d lost confidence — I was feeling pretty rubbish about the way I looked and felt. It may sound cliche, but F45 has changed my life.”

F45 Carrara and Nerang gym owners brothers Brad Vigus, Mark Vigus and Dean Vigus. Photo by Richard Gosling

For her life-changing transformation, Ms Thompson-Colman said she stuck strictly to the F45 program.

“I didn’t go swimming or cycling or anything outside the gym,” she said.

“I did a maximum of eight sessions a week — so doubled up some days. Took weight/resistance and cardio classes. If I was able to muster the energy for two sessions a day, I noticed real changes.

The two inspiring fitness winners. Photo by Richard Gosling

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“It was pretty brutal. The first two weeks were the worst. The toughest part was nutrition — when the cravings hit in, it was tough.

“The challenge is when you’re lacking willpower and open the fridge or pantry door and want something different to what’s on the meal plan … but the whole thing is you’re against yourself. And however much determination you can muster, you have to find a new level if you want results.”

Jason Oberman, from F45 Carrara, was announced the Global male winner of the 8 week challenge. Photo Supplied

For Mr Oberman, his eight weeks started off the back of a big Australia Day celebration.

“Probably not the best start, but it got easier as the challenge went on,” he said.

Mr Oberman lost 17.9kg in the eight weeks.

“I was the heaviest I’d ever been, indulged a little too much over the holiday period.

“The initial shock of the scan was probably the hardest thing to take in.

“I did have a bit of a spew one of the first few sessions, pushed myself a bit too hard. Fell off box jumps, and put a hole in the wall.

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“When I got the message (that I had won) I thought it was a stitch up.

“I was a bit naive, I didn’t know how big the challenge actually was. But obviously I’m stoked, and have even had someone come up to me who just did the recent challenge and said they used me as a benchmark. It’s humbling.

“If a guy like me, with three kids, who runs a business, works long hours, can do it, most people can.”

F45 gym owners and the two Global 8-week challenge winners. Photo by Richard Gosling

Mr Vigus said the studio vibe and energy contributed to the pair’s success.

The studio’s third eight-week challenge started on Monday and saw 220 people sign up to win a return trip for two to Bora Bora.