Winners and finalists announced for the best yoga/pilates gym in all of regional Victoria competition
The time has come to announce the winners and finalists of the best yoga or pilates gym of regional Victoria competition. See which gyms received the most votes.
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The time has come to announce the winners and finalists of the best yoga or pilates gym of regional Victoria competition.
Which gym provides you with the best exercise and fitness to help with your health and wellbeing?
Everyone has different goals when it comes to fitness, and each gym has a special way of helping people achieve those goals.
Which gym has benefited you or someone you know?
The voting results are in and the finalists have been gathered.
See below the runner up gyms and the gyms that placed first in the competition.
RUNNER UP
TESS THOMPSON: NEST MILDURA
Nest Mildura, founded by qualified myotherapist, mat and reformer instructor Tess Thompson, has placed runner up in the competition.
Ms Thompson runs her eight bed reformer studio in the back shed of her home in Mildura and also has an online myotherapy and mat pilates membership called Club Nest.
She said that what gave her the most joy as a myotherapist and pilates instructor was seeing people experience life without pain when they thought they were going to be in pain forever.
"Combining my knowledge means that I go on a journey with a lot of my patients - seeing them when they are at their wits end with their pain after seeing numerous health professionals over months and sometimes years," Ms Thompson said.
"I love that I can change their narrative for the better."
Ms Thompson said a lot of work went into running her own business.
"The technology, planning and marketing," she said.
"But what makes it successful is the attention to the people coming in the doors.
"Making people feel welcome, allowing people to come as they are, no judgement and planning classes to suit those people.
"I'm like a proud mum to all of my clients."
CATHERINE & NICHOLAS RUSSELL - 122 HEALTH: WARRNAMBOOL
Family-owned business 122 Health in Warrnambool, operated by married couple and physiotherapists Catherine, 31 and Nicholas Russell, 33, has also placed runner up - receiving the same amount of votes as Nest Mildura.
122 Health is an allied health clinic and clinical pilates studio, which will have its four-year anniversary in March.
Ms Russell said herself and her husband were so fortunate to have a wonderful community and clientele base in Warrnambool and the surrounding areas.
"We love that no matter if we’re working with a client individually or in a group setting, we are always focused on the individuals goals and personal needs," she said.
"All of our pilates classes are run or supported by a physiotherapist which allows us to combine the benefits of exercise with evidence-based rehabilitation all wrapped up in one.
"This give our clients the best of both worlds."
Ms Russell said running a studio required genuinely taking interest in clients' needs, goals and concerns.
"Secondly is to have a solid evidence-based approach to your choice of exercise based on clients' requirements.
"Last but not least is to have a great time doing it - we love to have a bit fun in class and laughter is its own form of medicine."
FIRST PLACE WINNERS
ELLA SMITH - TWO RED SPRINGS PILATES (TRS): WENDOUREE
Two Red Springs Pilates (TRS) Wendouree head instructor Ella Smith's studio received the most votes and has been crowned the winner of the competition.
Ms Smith, who has more than 15 years experience in the industry, said she and the team were thrilled to find out the news of being a finalist and that she loved everything about her job.
"It doesn't feel like work, ever," Ms Smith said.
"As a pilates teacher you get to build relationships with all the wonderful people in your community.
"At the start of class everyone is often chatting away, having a laugh - it's just such a warm, uplifting environment and even if you've had a bad day, arriving to a pilates class will be sure to lift you up."
Ms Smith said the members and staff were what made a successful pilates gym.
"We have an incredible team now, that have personally and collectively put a lot of hard work into their teaching - we do regular team training to ensure we are providing the best experience for our members," she said.
"Our pilates studio is successful because we are meeting our goals and values of providing a non-judgemental space for people to enjoy exercise.
"You don't have to be the best or the 'fittest' to join our studio - as long as you are showing up and enjoying exercise that is a win for us."
Ms Smith said the most rewarding part of being a pilates instructor was seeing how her clients progressed.
"Whether it's taking a harder option in class or mastering an original pilates move we have been working on for several weeks," she said.
"It is so cool to see that sense of accomplishment on their faces (even though they give me death stares while we're doing it)."
Ms Smith was pleased with the feedback she received from her clients and how they felt after classes.
"We often hear they have less back pain, they're happier and they can do more such as gardening all day long without pain," she said.
ANNIE CROSBY - UPSTATE BALLARAT
Upstate Ballarat has also received the same amount of votes as TRS Pilates - making them a dual winner of the competition.
The company was founded in 2009 by sisters Gail Asbell and Charelle Cuolahan, and the Upstate franchise operates nine Victoria-based fitness studios as well as an activewear apparel line called Upstate Sport.
Studio manager Annie Crosby said what she loved most about her job was bringing the "sweat and good vibes" to Ballarat and leading a team of powerful and strong instructors.
Ms Crosby said what made a successful pilates gym was creating an environment that boosts mood, motivation and programming classes that were upbeat and sweaty.
"And bringing together a group of people who want to find a positive state of mind through movement and connection," she said.
"Mindset and positivity are the driving force behind everything we do, and that's what makes us successful."
Ms Crosby said the most rewarding part of her job was helping other people to feel good.
"Upstate is all about creating a positive state of mind through exercise and the friendly team at Ballarat are ready to help you level up - one sweaty workout at a time," she said.
"Upstate Studios is passionate about doing good within the community with a key focus on making a positive impact on someone's day."
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