Club One Fitness trainer Kaitlin Manttan has been named FNQ’s best personal trainer

A Bentley Park trainer has been voted Far North Queensland’s best by Cairns Post readers in a landslide victory. So what’s their secret?

Kaitlin Manttan has lost 60 kilograms through gym workouts, becoming a personal trainer at Club One Fitness Bentley Park 3 years ago. She has been awarded Far North Queensland's best personal trainer, as voted by Cairns Post readers. Picture: Brendan Radke

From not being able to tie her own shoelaces to being crowned Far North Queensland’s best personal trainer in a landslide victory, Kaitlin Manttan has come a long way over the past eight years.

The Club One Fitness Bentley Park personal trainer, who was voted FNQ’s best personal trainer by Cairns Post readers, began her journey by accident when she filled in a voucher at her gym three years ago.

“It’s a pretty funny story. I lost 40kg through the gym a few years ago and on my way out one day I saw a voucher for a PT training college and I happened to put my name down and I won,” Ms Manttan said.

Kaitlin Manttan has lost 60 kilograms through gym workouts, becoming a personal trainer at Club One Fitness Bentley Park 3 years ago. She has been awarded Far North Queensland's best personal trainer, as voted by Cairns Post readers. Picture: Brendan Radke

At the time, Ms Manttan said she felt directionless in life, but once she began studying to become a personal trainer, she knew it was what she was meant to do.

“I didn’t know what I was doing in life. I failed a lot of things, a lot of studies but since I’ve been studying PT, the last three years have been insane,” she said.

“I’ve helped people lose weight. I’ve lost 60kg. It’s what I was meant to do – helping people, seeing their faces light up when they meet their goals, it’s the most addictive thing on the planet.”

Drawing from her own fitness journey, Ms Manttan said one of her greatest achievements was using her story to help others.

Kaitlin Manttan has lost 60 kilograms through gym workouts, becoming a personal trainer at Club One Fitness Bentley Park 3 years ago. She has been awarded Far North Queensland's best personal trainer, as voted by Cairns Post readers. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I started here as a member eight years ago, walking on the treadmill with my head down. I used to not be able to tie my shoelaces. Now I’ve lost the weight, my mental health has improved tenfold and how I view myself,” she said.

“Being able to help other people and showing what they can have in the future is my number one (goal). I’m living proof people can change.”

In the era of TikTok and Instagram, Ms Manttan’s advice is to not get caught up in the opinions of other people.

“Fitness is very personal to everyone. You can get lost in other people’s opinions. You need to build your own ideology around the gym that you enjoy and stay in your lane. Don’t listen to what everyone else says unless you trust them fully,” she said.

“People get overwhelmed and what I hear from a lot of people is they lost their way because of all this information that’s not necessarily right or right for them. You need to be able to do your own thing and not listen to what everyone else says.”

Originally published as Club One Fitness trainer Kaitlin Manttan has been named FNQ’s best personal trainer