After a few years off the tools and behind the desk it was fair to say I’d lost all definition and body tone. My wife was kind enough to bring this to my attention and my motivation was uncovered. My evenings and weekends are dedicated to my family so integrating exercise into my life meant something close to my place of work (St Leonards).

I’d been through the trials at all the local gyms and was losing hope when I discovered Oxygen. Almost immediately I realised that I’d found somewhere that I could do what needed to be done in a supportive and friendly environment with other members with similar goals.

The team at Oxygen are genuine and friendly individuals with the knowledge and experience to help you understand your goals and objectives, then formulate a plan to succeed. The atmosphere within Oxygen makes me want to attend every day and I miss it when my calendar dictates otherwise. I’m not sure any other gym would help protect my motivation through enjoyment the way Oxygen does

In 2005 I was persuaded to try Oxygen for health reasons. I wasn’t really sure if gym workouts were appropriate for seniors, however I’m extremely glad I gave it a go. This gym is special. Oxygen makes older members feel welcome too. There’s a friendly atmosphere and the knowledgable trainers are both efficient and encouraging.

A suitable training programme was set up for me on joining and it is revised regularly. Now in my 80′s, I continue to enjoy my twice-weekly workouts at Oxygen and the results of my bone density tests, fitness levels and strength and balance have all improved significantly.

I joined Oxygen during 2007 when I moved to Sydney, looking for a friendly local gym. I found Oxygen to be a great supportive and friendly environment, where I get great individual genuine service from everyone.

I had always been a gym goer but not always with great results. As I get older I find it hard to keep those extra kilos off and keep motivated with my training. Chris, Nik, Mark and Mike are always kind, friendly and challenging, they work hard with me to help me stay motivated with my own training and keep me on track with my personal training sessions. I really enjoy my individual personal training with them as it helps to get results and keeps me focused.

Personal training also helped me to get more confidence to use all the free weights and weight machines on my own and know what to do with them! I don’t lift big weights but incorporating weights and cardio regularly has really made a difference to my fitness and how my clothes fit!

On top of my training I discovered the benefits of doing regular pilates sessions with Chris. Chris and her pilates has really helped me to focus on good core strength, posture and my flexibility.

Thanks Oxygen!

Doing Pilates with Chris really helps me focus on the muscles that need to do the work not all the others I generally recruit!

I have done Pilates at other studios over the years; however, I have to say no-one has given the one-to-one attention that Chris gives. Her knowledge of the skeletal and muscular system of the body is outstanding; her keen observation of what I am doing (or not doing) is unsurpassable.

I am really benefiting from the sessions with old sacro iliac injuries, shoulder and neck problems I am really feeling the benefits of this approach. The right muscles are getting a real workout!

With the programme Chris has me working on, I’m really looking forward to hitting the ski slopes next winter!

I’m a 63 year old self-funded lady retiree. My GP recommended a personal trainer and some weights to strengthen bones and to add bone density. I am a regular bush-walker, tennis player and occasionally play golf.

Despite all this activity I knew I wasn’t fit and I certainly knew I wasn’t strong. Since starting out with Oxygen Fitness & Pilates in November 2005, I have noticed some encouraging changes. The start has been slow but progressive as I have some arthritic joints to care for.

I am now more conscious of my posture, and it’s improving. I can get out of a lounge chair without pushing with my arms. I can get down and up from a squatting position without the aid of pushing with my hands from the ground – very handy when bush-walking!

I am sleeping better and my wriggly leg syndrome has improved. I can lift a heavy kettle with one hand instead of two. I can unscrew lids of jars better. My aerobic fitness has improved from extreme struggle at first to now managing bike and cross training machine quite well.

Also my hips are aching less often at night. I have early onset osteo in both hips and after LONG bush walks, or semi-long pavement walks they mostly ache at night. I have noticed a vast improvement.

I started Pilates with Chris Ritchie in November 2009, suffering terrible stiffness and shoulder and upper back pain. I was having trouble getting in and out of our double kayak and seriously thinking I would have to give it away.

After detailing all my “problems” I thought Chris would quietly book me in to the old people’s home, but no. We quietly worked on all my areas correcting my terrible posture and getting my breathing right.

I started to notice an improvement in general movement within four weeks and now I am more supple than my husband! Pilates has given me an awareness of posture and using “core” muscles in all parts of my life even walking the dog is easier!

I would recommend Pilates to anyone who is experiencing stiffness, in particular I would recommend doing it with Chris as her eye for detail means you are forced to do it correctly (even if that is harder). I now use many of the Pilates techniques in everyday life. Thanks Chris for delaying the Zimmer frame for a few more years!!!