Member Testimonials

I became a member of Shapes to start and maintain greater level of fitness that is not possible without regular exercise. I now have greater strength, balance, stamina and ease of breathing. Regular exercise takes discipline and I am equally proud of my greater mental health achievements. Training at Shapes has provided a healthy lifestyle that I am committed to for life.

Geoff Watson, Armadale

I am here because I need to gain more respect for my body health wise. Shapes Health Club has excellent facilities and great staff. I believe a friendly environment is essential in a gym and Shapes provides that!

There are several things that I enjoy about Shapes. The location is ideal as I have a business in the adjacent industrial area which enables me to go after work, or on some occasions during the day. I find most of the clients and all the staff natural, friendly and unpretentious. There are no fashion contests synonymous with some of the more trendy up-market gyms. They also run some interesting promotional campaigns.

Geoff Travis, Roleystone

I really enjoy my time at this gym because of the fantastic friendships I have formed with other members - everyone is very down to earth and good fun. It doesn't matter what you wear or what size you are at this gym! The classes are lively and varied. This gym has become an important part of my life.

Stacey Nizich, Roleystone

I love coming to Shapes because I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the variety of classes that are available. I also like the fact that the participants are "real" people.

Lisa Jaskola, Canningvale

I have been a member now for two years. The gym is in a convenient location from my home. Staff have been helpful in assisting me to meet my goals.

Martin Freer, Seville Grove

I love the variety of classes offered and enjoy them very much. The instructors are very well trained and helpful and the timing of the classes suits me. Robbie and I both enjoy the Gym and all the updated equipment. There is never any problems getting to use the equipment.

Annelies and Robin Platel, Roleystone

Training and exercise becomes more difficult as I get older and Personal Training is the key to my success! Regular Personal Training maintains my fitness, helps control my weight and provides a needy stress outlet! I have tried other gyms but have returned to Shapes because of the relaxed atmosphere and friendly, supportive staff.

Heather Tingley, Champion Lakes

Rose Conway - My Weight Loss Success Story

Hi my name is Rose Conway and this is my success story.

After having my first daughter her father left me when she was just 6 days old, I became very depressed and my weight fluctuated from comfort eating.
My self esteem dropped I could not longer stand looking at myself in the mirror without crying. I felt I needed to do something fast. I started making myself sick. I knew this was an extreme choice but I was desperate. Due to this stupidity I became bulimic for 2 and a half years, I had lost 18kgs my weight had dropped from 80kgs to 62kgs within the first 4 months. I didn’t exercise I just did what I did.

Overtime I had overcome my hurdle and knew this was not a healthy lifestyle choice especially now that I had my little girl. I eventually met my now husband and he accepted me for who and what I was, my weight again fluctuated between size 14 to 16 around 70 to 76kgs. I still didn’t like going out a lot but I accepted it as my husband made me feel gorgeous anyway.

I became pregnant with my first son, I started going to the gym during my pregnancy and felt better about what I was going and knew this was a great change of lifestyle. I fully believed I would endeavor to keep this lifestyle up even after I had my son. Once my son arrived I ended up 82kgs at my at my heaviest, I felt once again embarrassed and ashamed of myself to go back and exercise in portions and I became motivated to go back to the gym, with this I dropped back down to 62kgs over the year.

I became pregnant with my second son with great shock and excitement. I was overwhelmed by the thought of all my hard effort of losing weight I was about to put it all back on again. Determined I kept the gym up during this pregnancy, however I still gained all my weight back towards the end. I was so annoyed with this situation I vowed to myself once I have this baby I am going to go back to the gym, work harder and become fitter, more toned and healthier than I have ever been. This has happened!!

As busy as I am being a working mother and a wife, I now accept the gym as part of my life. I feel depressed and tired when I don’t get to go for a day or two, I then get excited when I know I am going to go, then feel extremely rejuvenated when I have gone.

My weight now sits between 57kgs and 59kgs. I am extremely happy with this weight and I look forward to going out every four weeks with my husband meeting some wonderful people and letting my hair down with confidence! It’s a really nice feeling!

I have found the key to success of weight loss is to set your goal, believe in yourself, stay determined, make time and stay motivated.

Jacqui Johnston - My Story

With my first pregnancy in 1999 I was excited and happy with my pre pregnancy weight of 57kgs. After the birth I was left with debilitating pain in my back and was shortly after diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my upper and lower spine and herniated/degenerated disks. I was left in extreme pain most days, with terrible consequences as my weight crept up to 92kgs.

In 2005 I got married and we planned for another child. I had to consider my health what that would mean for me. So I decided to cut out some fats from my diet and slowly my weight dropped down to 76kgs. In June 2007 baby Shiayne arrived weighing almost 10 pounds! In the months after the birth my weight climbed again to 87kgs. My doctors advised I was overweight, had high blood pressure, was at risk of stroke and it was increasing the strain on my spine and making my symptoms worse. I needed to loose weight and get into shape. FAST!!

The problem was I was in so much pain, exercise was a terrifying thought to me. With medications for my conditions that are proven to cause weight gain, I needed to wean off them. So I researched a few gyms in the area and promptly made an appointment to meet with Kerrie. I was given a free weeks trial, in which I joined the gym in November 2007 and started to see a dietitian. For almost two months I stuck with the body balance and light weights to strengthen and tone my muscles and spine. With trial and error I figured out what was working and which exercises I could manage. I worked with the PTs to monitor my progress and found them very patient and understanding.

Over the last 3 months I have now dropped to a size 12-14 and weigh 79kgs. From November till now, I have lost 8kgs in total – even with having a month off over Christmas! I am no longer on my medications, my arthritis is the best its ever been, my blood pressure has returned to normal, I feel great and no longer need so much help with everyday duties! I have improved my health so much I am now committing to cardio 4 times a week plus weight training and have even signed up for a few “sexy” salsa lessons with the hubby! I’m still a while off my goal weight of 65kgs, but I love the gym and the motivation it provides and I know I will achieve my goal weight and maintain it, even though I have only just started to get my health in shape, I can only hope my story encourages others to give it a go and reap the rewards of achieving a healthier lifestyle. If I can do it, anyone can!

I have found all the staff at Shapes Health Club a real source of encouragement after hearing about their own personal success stories. Thanks for your efforts on keeping the gym real!!

Julie Parr - My Success Story

I was a regular member of Shapes from 1998 to 2001. When my third child started school, I went back to school. This was when I started gaining weight and my fitness levels dropped.

Studying, working part-time and being a mother of three I felt I just didn’t have time to visit the gym, so after missing the odd class now and again, I let my membership lapse. I felt guilty and not very good about myself as I had enjoyed my time at the gym.

Time passed, I finished my course and had free time on my hands. I then realized how unfit I had become, as well as gaining 7 kilos, which isn’t a lot, but enough to buy the next size up in clothes. I was also diagnosed with a lower back problem, which would benefit form regular exercise.

I turned 42, had a young child and two grandchildren, I wanted to be able to run around with them, so in February 2007 my daughter and I joined Shapes. We both started eating healthier and exercising together, motivating each other along the way. It was great, I didn’t realise how much I had missed it. I felt like my old self again.

Going to the gym is a normal part of my life now. Sure, there are times when I feel like not going, but I know that once I’m there I am glad I made the effort. Plus this is my time to get away from everything and do something for myself.

I like my food and dining out, it’s not always easy. In my profession I have seen many people with diet and exercise related problems. I celebrate 25 years of marriage next month, I still fit into my wedding dress. Now that’s a great feeling! Hopefully my story will motivate others into leading a healthy lifestyle.

I personally benefit from participating in a class environment; I push myself harder then I would by exercising alone. I find the staff at Shapes approachable, motivating and very friendly. Thanks guys!!

Leanne Walker - My Success Story

The day I think I really decided to do something about my weight was when my then new boyfriend revealed he weighed 65kgs and I being shorter was 15kgs heavier than him! I’ve always struggled with my weight but never really did anything to change it. I hated going clothes shopping as being a size 16 I could never find anything nice that fitted me.

When I first started going to the gym I was nervous about what the trainers would think about the way I looked and my weight but then I noticed a lot of the people at the gym here her for the same reasons as I was…to loose weight. I have now been coming to Shapes for three and a half years and so far have lost a total of 18kgs.

I think loosing the weight slowly and changing my eating habits has helped me not put any of the weight back on. I can still have my desert fix occasionally and a glass of wine so I’m happy with that. I feel much healthier and happier in myself. Thanks to Shapes I will never be a size 16 again!

Mike Lowther - Story of Success 

Due to the great staff at Shapes, I’ve lost 24kgs. And more importantly by staying with Shapes, the weight is staying off!

My friends can’t believe how good I now look, and ask me what my secret is. I tell it’s Shapes and now several of my friends have joined too!

They love the great staff and happy members. Not to mention getting rid of those kilos.

If you only ever join one club, make sure it’s ‘Shapes Health Club’.

Mario Merkl

I played competitive soccer up to the age of 45. During the last five years I played soccer I damaged my knee twice requiring two operations and resulting in my needing a total knee replacement. After five years of no sport I ended up weighing 103kgs, having high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Because of the weight I was carrying I felt I had no choice but to have the knee replacement.

Thanks to my wife, Cheryl, we decided to try going to the gym before resorting to extreme action. We joined Shapes and were assigned to Carl as our trainer. He set up my workouts so that I received maximum benefit without affecting my knee. I am very grateful for all his help.

Working out every second day and having a calorie controlled diet I lost 25kgs in 6 months and I am at a weight that I am happy with.

Carl put me on a maintenance program and I have maintained my weight at 78kgs for the last 6 months.  I have taken 80cm off my body and I have gone from a size XL to a medium. When my doctor put me on blood pressure and cholesterol medication he said that I would need to take them for life. Thanks to a lot of hard work that is not the case. I am off the medication and my knee feel a lot better and I have postponed the operation indefinitely.

After the year at Shapes I am healthier, stronger and fitter then I can remember and Cheryl and I have decided to make this part of our life and have signed up for another two years.

I would like to thank all the friendly people at the gym, my wife and Carl for helping me change my life.

Mandy Sharples - My Journey 

Its hard to remember exactly when the weight started to creep on, except to say that at age 27 I was a size 8/10 and weighed 53kgs and wore fabulous suits and clothes. I worked in a high level corporate job, great pay and great perks- but with that came long hours and no time to exercise or watch what I ate. The mornings started at 7am and I’d get home around 8pm, eat anything and then die in front of the TV or read a book and fall asleep. Over time this took a toll on my body, I had allergies coming up all over the place, I was gaining weight, was tired all the time- my body was in toxic overload.

By the time I fell pregnant with my first child I weighed approximately 66kgs and at full term I’d ballooned to 89kgs, considering the baby was 5lb 5 oz, all that extra weight was mine- and I’m only 5ft 2in. over the past 7-8 years and another two babies later, along came post-natal depression. Having worked in corporate for 20 years and then becoming a full-time mum, the transition for me was very difficult; I’d lost part of myself somewhere along the line.

In mid 2006, six months after having my third baby I joined Shapes Health Club and for the first year I mainly worked on flexibility (the Body Balance classes) and a gym workout which Kirby helped me with. Although I lost some weight (about 3kgs) and toned up (a bit) there was still something missing- I still wasn’t losing the weight that I should have been losing. Basically I had to look and see that I was ruled by my emotions (wrong and irrational thought patterns, i.e. I’m not good enough, I’m hopeless, not worthy etc.), which then affected my eating (emotional eating).

Depression is a funny thing, if it gets a grip on you, it can be hard to do normal everyday things like going the school run, and grocery shopping and if I went to the gym on the same day it sometimes was too much for me. 2007 was a turning point for me- I started studying for my Certificate IV in Christian Counseling and Family therapies and that is where I realized I had depression and that various aspects of my life were out of balance and I needed to work on me- so I could “stand up straight” again. We need balance in our lives: physically, emotionally and spiritually. So came the next part of my journey- to find out the triggers to my overeating, depression and work through it, one step at a time.

Since 1st December 2007 I’ve lost nearly 40cm from my body and 4kg in weight. I love the gym; I do Body Balance, Body Pump and have just started the Total Spin (thanks Kathy), I also train in karate and teach a children’s class which is great. I’m still on my weight loss journey and have approximately another 9kg to lose but it’s the journey and what we learn along the way that counts. I want to encourage everyone that they can create awesome lives for themselves and their families; one step at a time, one day at a time. After I complete my Advanced Diploma I may look at studying nutrition and exercise for another aspect to me helping others along their journey.

Tanya Roscoe - Story of Success 

Hi my name is Tanya Roscoe. I am 25 years old and have three beautiful children. When I fell pregnant with my first child in 2004 I went from a tiny 50kg to an incredible large 120kg and not only did I gain a lot of weight but I also gained incredibly low self esteem. I struggled to get my weight down to 82kg and that’s when I joined Shapes in July 2005. Within less than three months with the help of Kirby and the team I was down to 74.8kg. I then continued to lose another 4.8kg by December 2005 then fell pregnant with my second child. My weight at the end of my second pregnancy was 89kg in July 2006. I exercised throughout my pregnancy and it was the best thing I could have ever done. Six weeks after I had my second child I hit the gym once again, this time starting at 83.7kg and by April 2007 I was 66kg, 1kg off my desired weight I had set. Then already pregnant with my third I gained weight reaching 85kg by the end. I am back once again four weeks after having my third daughter and have weighed in at 74.2kg. Now 10 weeks later I weigh 67kg and I couldn’t be happier! I feel great and will continue to strive to reach all of my goals. This is my success story and I could not have done it without the help of everyone on the Shapes team.

Chantelle Parr - Story of Success 

During primary school I never had a problem with my weight. I was always very active playing sports at school and doing lots of after school sports also. I started gaining weight in high school. At recess and lunch time I would just sit down and talk to friends instead of playing/being active.

I didn’t realise how much weight I was gaining. I just kept buying larger sizes. When I left school my job involved working various shifts, so my eating habits were not good. Convenience (takeaway) overtook a healthy eating plan.

At age 20 during my pregnancy I realized deep down I had to do something about my lifestyle as it wasn’t just my life I had to think of now. After giving birth I tried doing all the right things but with a new baby to for I just didn’t have the time. I thought the weight would just drop off me with breastfeeding etc. it didn’t I just kept getting bigger. I could not buy any young fashionable clothes to fit me so I joined the gym in February 2007 and begun my new healthy lifestyle.

At first I was going most mornings but I didn’t change my eating ways. Three months later at my next appraisal I noticed I had not lost any weight, I needed to do more so I joined Weight Watchers to give me that little extra support. It has been a lot of hard work. I pushed myself to go; I could have quite easily gone back to bed when my daughter did. I really enjoy going to the gym. Sometimes I will wake up in the morning and I feel like I just can’t be bothered but I know once I get there I have a great time and I’m glad that I did go.

The greatest feeling in the world was when I went into one of those young trendy shops that I could never go in before and I was able to buy myself new clothes from there because they actually fit.

I still have some weight to lose, and it’s been hard, I still have days where I find it hard to wake up and go to the gym, and I still have days where I struggle to say no to certain foods, but I feel so much healthier and fitter now.

I have now lost 20kg and could not have done it without all the support from Shapes, Weight Watchers, my family and friends and most of all my Mum.

Robyn Smith - Story of Success 

Hi my name is Robyn Smith. My story begins six years ago after the birth of my son. Whilst I was pregnant I weighed 105kg, I was fat!!! I struggled for many years on crash diets and managed to lose some weight but I still was not happy.

My sister Peta had joined Shapes and encouraged me to do the same. She was an inspiration, I could see how fit and healthy she was and wanted some so I set myself a challenge and decided I would go have a look around and join up. When I started at shapes I didn’t know what to expect however I was greeted with a smiling face and someone who listened to what I wanted to achieve. I was sold and signed up on the spot. The membership I took out included personal training, something I had never done before but was keen. On my first week at Shapes I was weighed and all my measurements taken. I was surprised how many areas of my body they measured but realised that was for a reason. I weighed 95.9kg. My personal trainer at first was very easy on me but that soon changed- for the better though. We concentrated on a lot of cardio work to shift my weight which at first just about killed me but I soldiered on.

My partner and I had finally set a date to get married so that then became my number one challenge- to lose more weight than I had already. My personal trainer set up a food diary for me and showed me what to eat and when- this was very helpful. I went from eating takeaway foods twice a week to eating takeaway foods once a month as a treat.
June 2007 arrived and so did my wedding day. I was so happy with myself that I had lost weight and toned in areas that I had not seen for a while. I was now 87kg and feeling like a new woman. Once the wedding was over I fell back into some old habits, eating and drinking more than I should and put on some extra kilos. That was the final straw, I knew what I had achieved prior to my wedding and now I wanted more.

I then joined Bootcamp- boy was that a shock to the system. At first I struggled and thought there would be no way I would ever cope but I was determined to stick with it. The trainers were hard and strict but very motivating also. I was beginning to feel myself getting fitter and stronger. At the end of the Bootcamp (8 weeks later), training 3 times a week- rain, hail or shine I had lost a massive 55.5cm all over my body. I was amazed and could see my body had changed even more. I was starting to get a figure something I had not seen in such a long time.That was it I was hooked, I had turned my life around. I enjoyed eating healthy food and also enjoyed exercising. To see what I was prior to what I am today was amazing. I am now a healthy 76kg and still going strong. I have joined Bootcamp for the second time now and loving it.

This is just a small insight into my life, what is it today so far. I could not have reached any of my goals without the support and encouragement from all Shapes staff. Thank you so much for helping me turn my life around!

Amanda Copely - My Weight Loss Journey 

As far back as I can remember I have always been a tad on the chubby side, though in September 2004 when our first baby girl was born and let’s just say that all those extra cravings for chocolate and no desire for exercise didn’t help with the whopping 38kg I had also gained. I felt both unhappy and unhealthy with what I had become and there it was staring me right in the face, an advert for Weight Watchers and thought I would give it a go. It was fantastic we were all there for the same reason and the support was amazing.

Having a c-section did limit my exercise for a bit but I was soon pushing that pram around big time. As my fitness improved so did my desire to keep this weight falling off so that’s when I joined up at Shapes, I was a little overwhelmed with how fit everyone was and I knew I had a lot of hard work ahead of me. With our wedding coming up in little less than a year determination hit me more than ever, it was this determination along with the help of my awesome personal trainer Christina who was a real inspiration that I lost over 50kg.

Let’s just say I learnt my lesson from my previous pregnancy and didn’t overeat quite as much this time around and did keep up my exercise at Shapes, doing so however I gained 22kg. Once again my personal trainer is keeping me on the right track and helping me reach my personal goals. Losing my eight has given my self esteem the uplift it needed to a sexier wife and a much happier mum to my two little girls, as I feel I will be able to keep up with them for many years to come.

RA (Armadale) - My Story

For eighteen months I had been combing full-time work, part-time study and fertility treatment. I was exercising but it wasn’t a high priority, more like just going through the motions. I knew exercise was important and maintained my gym membership. I looked on it as a way of keeping myself as I was without any focus on improvement in my fitness or reduction in weight and body fat.

Finally I got the long awaited positive pregnancy test and was thrilled to think I had achieved my dream at last. Wanting to be sensible, I got a new program designed to meet the needs of my “new” body- one that was going to produce that baby I longed for. Sadly, it was not meant to be. The baby died in utero and I was devastated.

I wanted to get on with my life, a part of which was the routine of going to the gym but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it knowing that the program card waiting for me was just going to remind me of what I had lost. Then I saw an advertisement for Bootcamp and I thought it might present a solution to my problem- an exercise routine that didn’t involve the gym.

Bootcamp started in October. Sometimes it rained, sometimes the east winds blew and sometimes the flies were a curse, but I went to every session. I don’t know if it was the routine, the instructors (sorry, the sergeants!) or the sheer bloody hard work but it worked a miracle.

For me the success was not the enormous improvement in my fitness, nor was it the loss of 2% body fat or even the total of 20 centimeters off of my body measurements. The success came with the significant improvement in my mental health. I developed a more positive perception of my body; I could its strength and not just the fact it had betrayed my dream. I now see what my body can do and I have a new goal. While I still hope for the miracle of a successful pregnancy, I am also focused on a different possibility- the women’s triathlon in 2009. I know that my Shapes membership will continue to be of benefit to me whichever path fate puts me on.

I am now fitter and healthier than I was before this journey started and I thank especially Kerrie, Kim and Tina for their kindness and support. While the improvement in my fitness and health is a great outcome, it is the restoration of my self esteem and mental health which is, for me, the success worth celebrating.

My Story - Shelly Ray

I have never been what you would call a skinny person. I was your classic yoyo dieter with a very big sweet tooth! As a child I was always a little but chubby but with horses and dancing I never got overweight. I went on my first diet in year 11 to lose a few kilos before traveling to the UK on a holiday where I knew I would be doing lots of partying and meeting new people. I account my weight gain to my lifestyle change when I started university and moved out of home. I sold my horse due to lack of time with studying and working and was doing virtually no exercise. Without mum there to cook for me I also started eating lots of cheap convenient take away food. From here the yoyo dieting began. I would be so tough on myself and work really hard for a few months at the gym and lose weight really quickly and then very easily ‘fall off the band wagon’. Each time I would put my weight back on plus a little more and quickly revert back to my old exercise free lifestyle. The photo below was a turning point for me. I was horrified and hadn’t realised how big I had gotten when I first saw it. At my heaviest I weighed in at just over 70kg. This may not sound like a lot to some people but when you are only 5 feet tall it was far from my healthy weight range. Friends of mine had just joined Shapes and my partner and I had just moved into our new house 3 minutes down the road. This time I decided there would be no excuses. I wasn’t going to join a gym and throw my membership money away by not going because I couldn’t be bothered driving there (which I had been guilty of in the past) and I had other people keeping me accountable. I started off following my program then built up the courage and braved some classes. Almost a year later and 20kgs lighter I am a new person and with a completely different lifestyle. I enjoy coming to the gym and exercise is no longer a chore. I love doing the Body Jam and Step classes and am very disappointed if I have to miss these because of other non-negotiable commitments! I like to challenge myself even if it’s just running a little faster or longer. The fantastic instructors and classes at Shapes along with the friendly atmosphere have played a vital part in my weight loss journey and supported me in changing me life forever.