Performance ExPhys

25/01/2026

06/02/2025

"While it may seem like small daily movements wouldn't affect weight loss very much...the research suggests otherwise."

If you’re looking to lose some weight this year, you’ve likely made plans to reduce your calories and hit the gym hard. While calorie reduction and physical exercise are essential components of weight loss, there’s another crucial factor that often gets overlooked: non-exercise activity thermo...

15/01/2025

“You either grow up to be an elder or elderly.” That was a passing comment I heard on a podcast this morning. The topic had nothing to do with exercise but I think it applies nevertheless.

To my mind, being an elder means that you are an older adult that younger people look to for guidance, and you may or may not give them a clip over the ears when needed. You get out and about, still giving up your time to help out with the local footy team. You can keep up with the grandkids. You are planning on going for a hike through one of our amazing national parks with your son and his daughter when it cools down a bit.

Elderly on the other hand, probably means that you need help getting out of a chair. When you go to a family event, you get sat in one spot while your children direct your grandchildren to “Make sure you spend some time with grandma or granddad.” People worry about you a lot. You worry about you. About falling and not being able to get back up.

We all get older, and I am certainly no exception. You should hear my joints first thing in the morning. But you don’t have to resign your life, sitting in an armchair watching the weeds grow relentlessly in your garden. Or turn down offers to look after the grandkids.

Strength training brings about confidence in your physical health in a way that no other activity or medication could possibly dream of. Your daughter doesn’t worry that you won’t be able to look after the grandkids because she has seen how easily you move about. You don’t need your son-in-law to come over to pull weeds out and trim the garden (but it’s always nice to have the offer). People in their 40s look at you and will think, “I hope I’m doing that well when I’m that age.”

When I heard the comment ‘elder or elderly’ I knew exactly who the presenters were talking about. I recall one lady that when she first came to me she needed one of those grabby-stick-things to pick things up off the floor. She had another stick that she would use to turn power points on or off, because she was afraid she would fall over if she bent down to do so. She begrudgingly attended strength training classes with me for several months. One day she came to me and proudly told me that she managed to pick her keys up off the floor with her own hands. It still makes me tear up a little. She was elderly, but she was making the effort to get back to being an elder.

10/01/2025

The over 60s strength training classes have kicked off for 2025. The smiles on the ladies' faces tell me I need to work them harder.

08/09/2024

It's been about 12 months since we started rehabing his back. During that time he has returned to sport and is now pulling 110kg for multiple reps. Solid effort on his part.

17/06/2024

One of my clients has just returned from a successful 55km Ord River marathon over in WA. We have been working on a shoulder injury to strengthen it for this event.

20/05/2024

Just a reminder that there will be no consults or group classes Monday to Wednesday this week as I am up at helping out teaching on a res school.

18/04/2024

One of my client's requested an ANZAC Day themed exercise session; say hello to the gun run.

24/03/2024

Group class, don't forget to bring some mornos tomorrow. Key lime pie will be served, as long as I can keep the family away from it.

29/01/2024

Ladies, don't forget morning tea tomorrow.

23/01/2024

What a legend.

I want to share with you the story of Starting Strength Boston’s oldest member, Rose-Ann. She turned 99 years old on September 18th of 2023, which I believe makes her the oldest member within SS gyms, and probably the oldest barbell trainee in the world.

10/01/2024

Here's a nice little comparison for you; 30 minutes of zone 2-3 cardio on the bike is worth six hours moving about for work.