Females Training at Phoenix
Hear From Phoenix members!
Why I Train at Phoenix
Simon Lenz
I’ve been into fitness for most of my life and have been a member of several gyms, both here in Canberra and in Sydney.
Of all of these gyms I can honestly say that Phoenix is the best!
And here are three key reasons why:
1. You feel ‘part of something’ when you train at Phoenix versus just being another anonymous gym goer. Members and staff are friendly; people know you by name. It’s that sense of community and comradery that exists at Phoenix which is special and keeps you
coming back.
2. The quality of coaching is superb. All of the coaches at Phoenix work hard to craft challenging and varied workouts which push you; and once done, always leave you with that satisfied post workout glow. The coaches also take the time to talk to each class participant to provide tailored options for select participants if one or more of the set exercises in a class are too difficult for their level or if they are dealing with an injury.
3. ‘You’re not fit until you are Phoenix fit’ is actually a truism! I was doing a lot of gym work and running prior to joining Phoenix and considered myself very fit; but it wasn’t until joining Phoenix 4 years ago and doing their Grunt Fit & Fighting Fit classes that my fitness
went to the next level. Having tried many so called ‘high intensity training’ classes’ at other gyms I can safely say Phoenixes’ fitness classes easily trump them all and will have you 'properly' fit in no time.
Simon Lenz
Priscilla Ong
I’ve always liked exercise and when I was a teenager all the different sporting clubs that I was a part of made me feel like part of the family and that I belonged there. Since moving to Canberra I hadn’t been able to find a gym, club or group where I felt like part of the team or that I belonged until I joined Phoenix.
Phoenix is a club that I can socialise at but also feel like I can get away from everything, all at the same time. I’ve made some good friends at Phoenix. But that’s not just why I keep going back. I enjoy training at Phoenix because I’m kept motivated and challenged consistently by the coaches. They know when to push me, however when I’ve needed the motivation to keep going, they’re there to help me along.
I love that Phoenix has a range of different training from Muay Thai through to Grunt Fit. I’m one who likes change, and I like that if I don’t want to do Muay Thai one week, I can change and do Grunt Fit instead.
At Phoenix, you never feel like anyone is looking down their nose at you - I have always hated walking into a gym and feeling like I needed to be wearing the latest pair of Brand clothing/shoes or that I had to have the perfectly toned body. The people that go to Phoenix are down to earth and far from pretentious - you never feel like you’re being judged. When I first started doing Muay Thai, I was extremely self-conscious being the new person who didn’t know the correct technique but I found (and still find) those in the higher levels are willing to help you every time you are learning something new – they don’t get frustrated with or laugh at you.
I guess you could say that Phoenix has become like a second home to me – even when I look around the gym at others who train alongside me, I can see that it’s the same for them. It’s all these qualities that the Gym, Staff and members of Phoenix have that keeps me going back each week.
Priscilla Ong
Nick Bond
I remember my first session at Phoenix gym, or at least, sitting in the carpark full of nerves. The thought of walking into a combat sports gym was really intimidating. I walked through the doors and have never looked back. I was a first grade rugby union player at the time and thought a bit of boxing in the off season would be beneficial for my fitness. After my first session I was addicted and never went back to rugby. Instead I learned how to box, I couldn’t get enough. I then started Muay Thai training and began to get the itch to attempt sparring. Once I started sparring I was hooked and there was no looking back. Phoenix values hard work and respect, two qualities that I personally value incredibly high. It is a family friendly gym that welcomes people of all levels of fitness and skill. When I started at Phoenix I was overweight but after about a year I had dropped close to 30kg, I often remark to friends that Phoenix gym has given me an extra fifteen years of life. Phoenix has a motto ‘fitter, faster, stronger’ if you train here, you will become those things.
Eventually I got the urge to test myself at the highest level, by competing in the ring. Anthony was very open to the idea and the coaching staff was amazing in preparing me to compete. I went on to be the first Phoenix fighter to compete in mixed martial arts (MMA). I competed five times under the Phoenix banner and these are some of my greatest memories and proudest achievements.
But Phoenix is not about training fighters to compete. It is about training people to become better – physically and mentally. I smile every time I walked through the gym doors, I have some amazing friendships at the gym. There is a comradery between club members and I feel at home when I am there, all the stress of the day washes away.
After retiring from competition I became hooked on the strength and conditioning aspect of Phoenix and loved pushing my body to its limits. I was offered a position coaching the phoenixfit classes and now coach three times a week. Phoenix is a huge part of my life and I owe a lot to the club.
So, if you are reading this and wondering why train at Phoenix? There are so many gyms that claim what we claim, but that’s like an apple claiming to be an orange. We have Australian Muay Thai champions, BJJ Black belts, Olympic level wrestlers, AIS boxing coaches and qualified strength and conditioning coaches. Phoenix is simply the best at what it does.
I am so glad I stepped through the Phoenix doors.
Nick Bond
Marshall Family
As a family we have been training at Phoenix gym since 2013 with Lewis beginning in Little Dragons and then Matilda a years later. Back then we were 1 class a week participants. During the Little Dragons class Scott and I would conveniently do the GruntFit class or widely known now as ExpressFit. What started as a bit of fun and to get our kids learning how to defend themselves, build confidence and develop new skills has turned into us travelling to competitions and training four plus times a week. Phoenix has not only given us strength and fitness but developed friendships with the other families and members at the gym.
Phoenix caters for a wide range of training. This is great for us, as we like to mix up our training from Fitness to Muay Thai to Boxing. The trainers organise fun events throughout the year including a favourite of ours, the Phoenix Olympics. The gym provides an opportunity to train in Thailand once every couple of years, which is something we are looking forward to doing as a family and with other families and members of the gym. The event of the year however would have to be the Phoenix Christmas Party where everyone who has trained hard all year can come together and enjoy some time away from the gym.
The coaches at Phoenix have helped Lewis and Matilda to become strong kids but at the same time taught them that not everything goes to plan all the time. That sense of never give up has been deeply ingrained in them. We have watched both our children develop into driven and focussed athletes with the determination to succeed at all levels of training and competition.
The thing that makes us keep coming back to Phoenix after all these years is the people. We have met some amazing people through the gym, and have made some wonderful friendships. The people are the most down to earth, humble and respectful people you will ever meet. There is always someone there ready to encourage you to train or a coach that will push you further. We always leave the gym feeling like we had a great workout and sweating from head to toe!
Scott, Mel, Lewis & Matilda
Marshall Family
Melissa Perry
Why I joined Phoenix and why I still train at Phoenix are two very different reasons.
Back in March 2010 a close friend dragged me along to a beginner Muay Thai class at Phoenix. I was quite overweight and, although I had managed to lose some weight training at a traditional gym, I was bored and feeling very unmotivated.
Having dabbled with Karate in my younger years I thought that my experience would mean that I would be prepared for what was to come – I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Every single class took me out of my comfort zone and I quickly became hooked training up to 6 days per week. Lead and inspired by the knowledgeable coaches, my motivation quickly returned as I learned to push beyond limitations that I had placed on myself.
In my time with Phoenix I have lost 15kg and am the fittest/ healthiest that I have ever been. I have also had the privilege of representing Phoenix in more than 10 fights. One of the highlights of my fighting career was representing Australia and receiving a bronze medal at the Muay Thai Amateur World Championships in Malaysia in 2014. These are accomplishments that, as someone who has been overweight and unfit for most of their life, I could never have imagined. And they would not have been possible without the amazing coaches at Phoenix.
Now I won’t lie to you, the journey from that first class to stepping into the ring for my first fight was a long and extremely challenging one. I didn’t always have fun and it certainly wasn’t easy, but I was never alone. The coaches and like-minded, hardworking students train along side you and, through the blood, sweat and tears that you shed together, you develop a bond and become family. This is what separates Phoenix from all others and is the primary reason why I still train at Phoenix.
Today, 6 years on, I’m still a proud member of the Phoenix family. My priorities have changed and, due to a recent surgery, I can’t train the way that I used to, but this doesn’t matter at Phoenix. I’m still greatly valued as a member and, with the support and encouragement of Anthony and the coaches at Phoenix, I have now been presented with my next challenge – learning to coach. Being able to direct my energy, knowledge and experience towards being developed as a Phoenix coach has been extremely rewarding so far and I look forward to inspiring the next generation of Phoenix members the same way that I was inspired by my coaches all those years ago.
- Mel Perry, 29 February 2016
Melissa Perry
Hannah Barrett
I started at Phoenix in 2013 and was at the time playing team sports. I wanted to join Phoenix and try Muay Thai as I was hoping the training would supplement my other sports training by making me stronger; physically and mentally, improve my balance and increase my reaction speed. After training for some time at Phoenix and making achievements in my training; such as attaining my TTFU and Level 1 grades, I soon began loosing interest in my other sports and dedicating more of my time to improving my fitness and skills at the gym. Eventually I 'retired' from my team sports and just attended Phoenix. It's very much like that here - it becomes a part of your life, that you find you don't need anything else.
Having moved to Australia from the UK I also found that Phoenix is a fantastic place to meet like minded (and different!) people, some of which I now class as some of my closest friends. It was at the gym that I made friends with people who got me into obstacle racing, running and Triathlon and I now train through the PhoenixFit programs for these events. The coaches and other gym members at Phoenix are always so supportive and encouraging - there are no egos at Phoenix - just the attitude of doing your best to make yourself the best you can be.
In the past 12 months I have been unlucky with some reoccurring injuries; but no matter where I am in my recovery, I always have the support of Phoenix coaches to help and guide me through my rehabilitation, making me stronger and more determined each time to get back into the training I love. Phoenix is like a family. No matter how good or bad I feel about my training I know every time I walk through the doors there is no judgement, only support and and encouragement.
Hannah Barrett
Ben Hanson
For many people the thought of getting in the ring with another human being, often with the intention of taking your head off, would scare them senseless. But not me. Believe it or not it calms me.
Many people see boxing, kickboxing or combat sports in general as a violent pursuit. For those in the know, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Let me explain.
I was born with a few hurdles, you could say, laid out before me. By 10 years of age my kidneys were ineffective and I spent some two years on dialysis, much of this time feeling very sick and sorry for myself. To add injury to insult I was born with fingers and toes missing (I’m not much to look at either for that matter).
After my transplant (thanks Mum!!) I took up martial arts training. I’m not sure where the passion came from, I suppose because I had been bullied through nearly every day of my early schooling and well into my high school career I fought off bullies and kids who didn’t understand this weird (read different) looking classmate. During these formative years I suppose I got used to the feeling of fear. I was smaller than the other kids, different, and would often be intimidated physically and psychologically by larger or older school yard colleagues!!
Martial arts training from my early teens taught me a kind of confidence, gave me some comradery with my martial brothers and sisters and helped develop the usual virtues to one degree or another that most martial arts clubs and schools promote.
By the time I was 30 years old I knew that something was missing. Sure I had learnt a lot in my martial training, I had competed on a limited basis and I could throw some cool jumping, spinning kicks and that movie-type stuff. I hadn’t really tested myself though, not really! This is when I came upon Phoenix Gym here in Canberra some eight years ago. Straight away I knew I was onto something special. Any ego I brought with me was soon destroyed in a puddle of sweat beneath my heaving torso from the first 10 minutes of the warm-up!!
Over the weeks and months (and Years) that followed my physical, mental and spiritual character was stripped bare and brought sharply into focus at the same time. Real virtues such as never quitting, finding ways to win and to survive (especially when you are a very average almost forty year old taking a beating in the ring or on the mats from a 25 year old elite athlete) became very important in both my training, and more importantly in my everyday life. I learnt discipline beyond what I thought I was capable of. I achieved levels of fitness, toughness and personal well-being beyond anything I or my medical professionals had ever imagined.
And this is why I train at Phoenix Gym. I continue to face hurdles from all aspects of my life, professional, family life, health and more. Training at Phoenix is more than just kicking and punching, grappling and building big muscles. It is about giving you the strength to meet all challenges in the right ways. Sometimes head on, sometimes more tactically, but always with a smile on your face knowing that you are growing as a human being.
So this brings me back to the idea of jumping in the ring, testing yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Nothing that happens in the ring can compare to what life can throw at you. At least in the ring, you know the rules, you know where you stand with your training partners and you learn very quickly to rely on your own fitness, intelligence and strength of will.
I would strongly recommend this type of training for all peoples from all ages and walks of life!!
4th February, 2016
Ben Hanson
Pia Salgado
I joined Phoenix Gym in February 2012 in an effort to get fit. I had done a kickboxing style class before, which I found fun but more focussed on workout than technique. I had heard about Phoenix from a few friends and it had a reputation for being a real kickboxing gym. I had been to Thailand before and seen Muay Thai fights and had always admired the fighters so I took the chance and joined up.
It was everything I’d hoped for and more. The friendly and motivated team of coaches taught us all proper technique AND it was the hardest workout I’d ever done. There is a huge variety of training options from Muay Thai, BJJ, wrestling and boxing to strength and conditioning, which makes every class new and enjoyable. Slowly building up strength and confidence I found myself addicted. As I improved I wanted to take my training to the next level, to learn to utilize the skills taught to us and learn to spar. I came to a few “hard sparring” days and got my a$$ handed to me but it showed me a whole other side to my training, learning to fight.
Fighting is a mental game, both problem solving and having the perseverance to keep trying and not give up. This taught me a lot about myself and what I could achieve. I never thought I would compete in this sport but thanks to the inspirational coaches and fighters/training partners I have now had 7 fights and hoping for more. The coaches have gone above and beyond what any regular gym would to encourage and support me and all the other fighters. They take their own time and money to help build us as fighters and as people and I can never thank them enough for this. I remember watching the advanced students train and thinking how great they were and being totally inspired by their discipline and courage. Our training partners are the reason we have such a successful gym and I can’t thank them enough either for all their guidance, encouragement and inspiration.
From all the blood, sweat and tears (literally) it really does feel like a family. So why do I train there? Because phoenix has the hardest working coaches, most inspirational people and best level of training you could ever want. They are more than a gym they are a family and they have taught me more about myself than in any other sport. So whether you want to take your training to the next level or just come and in and have fun with the most welcoming and awesome like-minded people in Canberra phoenix is the place for you! TTFU!
Pia Salgado
Lisa King
Most people join a gym to lose weight and get fit, I joined phoenix for the same reason… I wanted to feel fit…
I have always had a very active lifestyle and even worked at a gym while studying. I spent hours in a pool training while growing up and if it wasn’t the pool it was a cross country track or netball court. I would have never thought of myself as being unfit, but Phoenix provided me with a different view on fitness. I walked into the gym knowing that I wanted to kick stuff and just feel good, I have gained this and then some. My first session was Grunt on a Tuesday morning with Marty. It was a blur and I have no idea what we did, I do however remember feeling that sick in my car afterwards that I had to sit there for at least 15 minutes to keep down the vomit. As much as this feeling scared me I turned up again on a Wednesday afternoon to try my hand at MT. This was certainly memorable … I am left handed- this made things a million times harder and certainly more memorable. I genuinely felt sorry for Lee- he found me hiding in the back of the class trying to understand a jab and a straight. God only knows what he thought when he saw me try and kick… then there were push ups !!! … Push ups from knees where not accepted or counted and I quickly learnt that even if it took me twice as long push ups from my toes were the only option… this was all in the first session and there were many more to come. Learning MT was hard, I had to focus and take in all the feedback that I was receiving as well as trying to get my brain to reverse everything into left handed mode !!! The patience of the coaches was/still is amazing. Lee has gone above and beyond when it comes to dealing with me, but after all, if he doesn’t support me as a left hander who will. Despite trying to focus while being completely exhausted I started to get it. I started to understand the why things. Why being on your toes with soft knees is so important, why you pivot, why you crunch through your mid-section … I still however recognise that I have so much to learn. I think that is why I love it though- I have been doing both MT and Grunt for over 2.5 years and I still get to learn new skills and improve - nothing is ever the same and nothing comes from a cookie cutter model.
So did I get what I was after… I would say that my fitness has increased more than I thought possible. I can comfortably run without pain in my hips – I have gained the strength to prevent the pain and in turn my chicken like body has gained some muscle (not that you can tell), I can run like I have never run before, running in at 45 minutes for 10km and feeling comfortable doing it. There are certainly days that I feel very unfit, the days that I am heavy breathing and struggling to even think – these are the days that I have the most to gain though, these are the days that I get mentally tough. I certainly wouldn’t change it either – I need to feel challenged, I need to feel as though I have achieved something – this is what keeps me coming back… after all who else is silly enough to train more than 7 sessions in a week. Like most female I can struggle with my body image, I can feel uncomfortable and view myself poorly, I have fat days and days were I want to change the way I look or feel. What has changed my thinking though is an appreciation for what my body can do, I can appreciate that I can lift a 20kg keg above my head or reach 10 un assisted chin ups in a row. These are all things that I couldn’t do before Phoenix, these are things that I will always want to improve and these are things that I should be grateful for, these are things that make me stop and reassess my thinking.
Something that isn’t measurable is the friendship and support that Phoenix has given me. There is a statement that refers to the Phoenix family and it is very true. The gym and its members has supported me through some exceptionally tough times – you need people that you can cry in front of in one moment and then punch in the face in the next one. Phoenix has provided this and more and I will always have such respect for them for this. There really is no other place like this, you join more than a gym you become part of an amazing community.
Lisa King