Best of Melbourne 2019: top 10 personal trainers in Melbourne’s west
Here there are — the top personal trainers in Melbourne’s western suburbs, as voted by you. Did your favourite fitness guru muscle their way on to the list? SEE THE RESULTS
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They are the best of the west.
The personal trainers that scored your votes when we asked you to name your favourites.
And why they keep the western suburbs on the go, one of these fitness gurus has also made it into our overall list of Melbourne’s best, which you can read HERE.
MORE BEST OF MELBOURNE:
MAKING THE CUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST HAIRDRESSERS
CATCH OF THE DAY: OUR TOP FISH AND CHIP SHOPS
LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE WITH A LEADER NEWS SUBSCRIPTION
Here are the top 10 personal trainers in the west.
MORE:
TOP 10 PERSONAL TRAINERS IN MELBOURNE’S NORTH
TOP 10 PERSONAL TRAINERS IN MELBOURNE’S EAST
TOP 10 PERSONAL TRAINERS IN MELBOURNE’S SOUTH
10. MELISSA GUNN, GUNN HEALTH AND FITNESS, ABERFELDIE
Aberfeldie Sports Club
“It’s not a diet, it’s a change in lifestyle,” this fitness gun (you know we had to go there) says to her clients. She’s all about health, not weight.
“Totally commitment to clients going above and beyond what is expected including meal plans and motivational support, (she’s) an amazing role model,” Kendrea Taylor says.
Mums Danielle Hoban, Bianca Donaldson and Mia Hickmott say Melissa is super-supportive, helped them get their confidence back after they gave birth and provided a kid-friendly environment.
More: gunnhealthandfitness.com.au
9. NICK LE COMTE, THE EXERCISE ROOM, FOOTSCRAY
88 Buckley St
Coach Nick Le Comte knows how to set goals and help people achieve them.
Client Erin Price says the Footscray fitness fiend knows just how to make you feel comfortable in the gym: “(He) strikes the balance between fun and pushing comfort levels”.
More: exerciseroom.com.au
8. SAMUEL SCHEPIS, JPS HEALTH AND FITNESS, AIRPORT WEST
77C Matthews Ave
No one would doubt Samuel Schepis’s dedication to the job, and his clients would attest that he has helped change their lives.
Client of four months Bryn Parkinson says: “Sam dedicated himself to helping me fix my life when I felt I had nothing left”.
He is also kind and down-to-earth, and a stickler for the correct forms and techniques, clients Tamara and Melina say.
More: jpshealthandfitness.com.au
7. JACOB SCHEPIS, JPS HEALTH AND FITNESS, AIRPORT WEST
77C Matthews Ave
There must be something in the water at JPS Health and Fitness, as two trainers from the Airport West gym have made our top 10 list.
“Besides knowing his craft inside and out, it’s the love he has for his clients,” Stephen Katsios, a client of two years, says.
Danielle Cohen says Jacob inspires and leads by example, while Kate Smiley says: “Jacob has completed transformed not just my body composition but my mindset on health and life in general.”
More: jpshealthandfitness.com.au
6. TREVOR FLETCHER, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, POINT COOK
22-30 Wallace Ave
This Point Cook powerhouse knows flexibility is the key and takes that into account with his individual clients.
Listen To Your Body prides itself as a welcoming environment, with no mirrors and a family-friendly feel.
“Trevor understands that life outside the gym is not perfect, being flexible, he changes his class times to suit us,” client of four years, Amberly Morison says.
“100 per while you’re here. Give it the best you can outside of here.”
More: listentoyourbody.com.au/studio/point-cook
5. STEVE TABONE, ACTIVE BEATS FITNESS, WESTMEADOWS
10 Ardlie St
For Westmeadows personal trainer Steve Tabone, fitness is all about mind over matter.
Client Demi Athana said she couldn’t run 500m, but Steve’s coaching helped her to run 5km in 58 days.
“Steve has helped me to overcome my anxiety and stress by getting me fit and creating a great social atmosphere,” Learne Mele says.
For Sarah Mudgway and Daniela Andrea, it’s the trainer’s positive attitude and fun vibe that make exercise enjoyable.
“He’s very generous and is always raising money for charities,” Ms Andrea says.
More: activebeats.com.au
4. KRIS PRESTON, FUNCTIONAL FITNESS PLUS, NEW GISBORNE
1/52 Barry Rd
“Just keep turning up” — that’s the advice Kris Preston gives clients.
Functional Fitness Plus is apersonal training studio which offers a range of packages from body transformations to one-on-one training.
“Kris is the only trainer I’ve ever met that actually cares, about everybody,” client of more than three years, Mark Bishop, says.
More: functionalfitnessplus.com
3. AARON NAUTA, AB CORPORATE FITNESS, TULLAMARINE
2/7-9 Butler Way
A good personal trainer knows how to bring out the best in their clients, and Tullamarine taskmaster Aaron Nauta is no exception.
Client of two years, Jacqueline Pantlin, says he is a great motivator.
“He has inspired a love of health and fitness in me and many others,” she says.
“Aaron has pushed me beyond what I ever thought my body could do. He make’s workout’s fun,” Pili Sanz says.
Meanwhile Marieke Featonby says: “Aaron is passionate and works with your strengths to gain control over your weaknesses. (He’s) always positive and enthusiastic”.
And for Kahlie Sciberras: “Anyone that keeps me motivated and puts up with my whingeing deserves a medal!”
More: abcorporatefitness.com.au
2. KELLY PETE, KDP FITNESS, RAVENHALL
24/39 Eucumbene Drive
The votes were flowing in for Kelly Pete, from clients who say she is inspiring and passionate about her work.
“Kelly is the perfect example of what can be achieved with hard work and discipline. She’s an inspiration, motivational and caring,” client Zoe Albrecht says.
“Kelly takes a genuine interest in your overall health, her passion stems from her clients’ gains, not about the money,” Jessica Brzezicki says.
Others praise her as a dedicated and caring trainer, who gets results.
“I have lost weight and have maintained the weight lost for two years now,” Leanne Buhagiar says.
More: kdpfitness.com.au
1. PAUL SAHLBERG, SNAP FITNESS, SUNBURY
84 Horne St
It’s official — not only is Paul Sahlberg the best in the west, he was also voted one of the top personal trainers in Melbourne.
Sahlberg played footy for the Coburg Lions and the Calder Cannons before his career was hindered by a knee injury.
Fresh out of high school and completing rehab, he discovered he really enjoyed the physical training so signed up to do his Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness.
That was seven years ago, and he’s never looked back.
“I feel my point of difference is I’m genuinely motivated and determined to inspire people to live better, healthier lives,” Sahlberg says.
“There is no better feeling in my opinion than helping someone change their life and help them see that there is a healthier version of themselves both mentally and physically.”
Sahlberg offers one-on-one training, small group training, group fitness and programming through Snap Fitness in Sunbury.
Sahlberg says he is constantly proud of his clients’ physical and mental successes, and enjoys helping NDIS clients and seeing people achieve weight loss and body sculpting goals.
Tarren Anderson says Sahlberg has helped her through three back surgeries and is “supportive and encouraging”.
Shara Turner says: “Paul finds a way to push me to my limits, and then finds new limits for me to reach.”