Chisel Fitness Personal Training

Runners gearing up for the Gold Coast Marathon

Chris — Mon, 31 May 2010 01:03:59 +0000

This morning was another sensational (and slightly cold!) morning for the Chisel Fitness Running Group. 15km of flat efforts, hills and stairs and everyone was still looking strong.

We are approaching the ‘business end’ of the running season as most people are preparing for their main race for the year at The Gold Coast Airport Marathon Festival on 3rd-4th July.

This year it looks like the Chisel Fitness Team will have record numbers with over 30 runners entering events, including 11 competing in the Half Marthon and 9 competing in the Marathon.

Our team entries close on Wednesday so if you haven’t already entered be sure to contact me and I’ll include you in our team.

Keep up the training guys…not long to go now!

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

May I Be Frank

Chris — Fri, 28 May 2010 05:34:14 +0000

Here’s a short video teaser from a documentary that I have been hearing a lot about -May I Be Frank. It hasn’t been released in Australia just yet but a small group of passionate film makers on the Gold Coast are trying hard to bring it out.

It looks like a pretty powerful film with a strong message on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy!!!

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

Raising the bar…

Chris — Fri, 28 May 2010 05:19:57 +0000

I have written in this blog, and spoken many times before about the need for professionalism and integrity in the fitness industry. If we are truly going to help people move towards developing healthy lifestyle behaviours then all fitness professionals should be an open book when it comes to helping others succeed and make an impact.

One person who is sharing his passion and knowledge with others is Rick Watson.

I first spoke to Rick over a month ago when he called to hand over some of his clients as he concentrated on his new business venture PT Business in a Box. Rick is a guy who is extremely passionate about his clients, and focussed on helping people achieve a healthy balance in their lives.

Through PT Business in a Box Rick is handing over some of the ‘tricks of the trade’ that have helped him find success in his time as a trainer. He’s a guy who speaks the truth and presents trainers with an honest down to earth approach to building their business.

I was fortunate enough to be able to help Rick out with a short interview for his website.

Keep up the good work Rick…I look forward to watching you create more success stories!!!

Cheers

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

Healthy Beings offers great service

Chris — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:09:54 +0000

Amanda van Eyk has been a long time friend of Chisel Fitness and has helped many of our clients gain an understanding of the important role that nutrition plays in developing a healthy lifestyle.

Earlier this year Amanda started Healthy Beings so that she can continue to follow her passion and educate people on how to ‘eat well, feel well, and live life to the full’.

I have had the pleasure of eating some of Amanda’s amazing creations before and give them the big thumbs up for taste and nutrition. Keep checking her website as she adds new recipes full of the fresh healthy stuff.

Amanda has a passion for teaching young kids the basics of nutrition and even holds her own cooking classes for children.

Great stuff Amanda…keep up the good work and all the best with Healthy Beings.

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

Running group recipe

Chris — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:41:28 +0000

Last Friday after a hard session around the hills of Currumbin, the Chisel Fitness running group were treated to some tasy food prepared by Jac.

We tasted….it was sensational…and then we asked what it was.

AVOCADO AND CHOCOLATE PIE????

What the?

Jac had prepared what looked to be a chocolate slice. Using only raw organic ingredients she then proceeded to tell us that it consisted of, amongst other things, avocado and raw cacao powder filled with magnesium, zinc, anti-oxidents and essential fatty acids.

All the ladies (and us blokes too) loved it and demanded that it be put on the website for all to see.

So here is the recipe for Avocado and Chocolate Pie.

Give it a go and let us know what you think

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

Avocado Chocolate Pie

Chris — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:23:49 +0000

Ingredients

CRUST

1 cup of pitted dates - soaked for 20 minutes
2 cups of desiccated coconut

FILLING

2-3 avocadoes
3 tablespoons agave syrup (optional) or stevia drops (approx 10 drops)
1/2 cup of coconut oil, slightly warmed so that it is liquid
10 tablespoons of raw cacao powder
2 cups of pitted dates - soaked for 20 minutes
1 tablespoon of orange zest (optional)

DECORATION

1 teaspoon zest of orange (optional)
1 tablespoon of desiccated coconut
Chopped walnuts or other nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Blend the crust ingredients for the base and press into a 9 inch pie dish. Press down firmly and put in the fridge to set (not always necessary).
For the filling, process thoroughly the ingredients into a smooth creamy mousse and press onto crust.
Ready to eat….or place in the fridge for later.

Byron Bay Triathlon

Chris — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:16:18 +0000

On Saturday Byron Bay put on some great weather for the Byron Bay Triathlon. Belinda, Sam and I ventured down to compete and have some fun. Have a look at the following photos - the 3 of us before bike check in, and the crystal clear swimming conditions.

You can see more photos here

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer.

Mirror improver?

Chris — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:55:31 +0000

An interesting side note to the debate mentioned in our last blog post….

I recently recieved a magazine from one the the fitness industry’s governing bodies. In the Chairman’s report he quoted that he is in fact “a professional mirror improver”.

He goes on to talk about his ability to deliver results - “It’s all about the results! That’s how I make mirrors friendly!”

I really think it’s a shame that one of the leaders of the fitness industry is promoting an image in a mirror as the most important result you can get from leading an active and healthy lifestyle.

No mention of the benefits towards mental health, sedentary lifestyle diseases or preventative health practices just to name a few….

Surely as a personal trainer I am more than just a mirror improver?

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

Healthy Debate on SBS

Chris — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:43:08 +0000

Anyone who has seen SBS’s Insight program would understand the ‘lively’ debates that occur between good cross sections of society on a variety of topical issues.

Well last night it was the Fitness Industry’s turn with the debate No Pain No Gain.

It was a very interesting program with a great number of opinions and experiences expressed throughout the show. I certainly hold some strong views on some of the debate that took place, however I do not want to fill this blog with my opinion.

Instead I encourage all of our readers to post a comment below on anything that they felt strongly about in last night’s program, or post a question to myself or other readers.

I will however say that the Personal Training industry has the chance to play an integral role in developing and promoting the health of all individuals.

Creating partnerships with various allied health practitioners is and integral part of promoting our service. This helps build integrity by shifting away from the aesthetic motivation that most people associate with fitness, and creates understanding of the much more important health and wellness benefits gained from being active.

Cheers,

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer

Alarming statistic - parents be warned!!!

Chris — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:13:27 +0000

I heard an alarming statistic the other night at a forum where some of the Gold Coast’s leading health experts were talking.

It’s predicted that children who are currently under the age of 5 will have a significantly decreased life expectancy to 65 years of age.

This is quite alarming given that the current life expectancy is 85 years.

Makes you wonder what type of poor behaviours we are encouraging in our children, and points out the need for quality education of both parents and children in areas such as nutrition and exercise!

Food for thought…

Chris van Hoof
Chisel Fitness Director and Head Trainer