Client Reviews

Many thanks to all my clients, past and present for their efforts!

Thank you to those that have provided below a little (some a lot) of their stories and journeys.

I hope it gives inspiration to others for what is possible with commitment and investment in yourself.

But the question really is ‘what are YOU going to do?’.

THANK YOU for everything to do with straightening me out!! (my back that is!)

Sarah Alexander

Thank you, thank you, thank you for turning me into a gorgeous glowing, toned, princess-bride (with a muscly back!) for my ‘big day’. I felt a million dollars, and had zillions of compliments on my arms and shoulder blades. The best thing about it was that the training wasn’t even gruelling hard work- it was good fun- I loved every minute of it. The guests were all impressed with my 2 ½ Chin Ups! Even after several champagnes…You’re the best trainer ever!

Katie Norton

I am forever grateful to Mark Latham because he changed my life.

Adele E. Persi

(read Adele’s full story at the bottom of the page)

Personal Training was a very good thing for me in times of sickness and in times of better health. Classes with lots of people are mostly a waste of time unless you are young and athletic. If you want to learn how to do the exercises properly you need to have one-on-one sessions with the person who is a specialist. When we need help in every area of our lives we go to a specialist in that particular area for one-on-one appointments, not for the mass classes. The best part of Personal training for me is learning new exercises, learning more about my body. I would absolutely recommend personal training with Mark to others.

Elena Landa

‘The Mad Russian’

Thanks Mark, I definitely achieved more than I set out to. I have improved muscle mass and definition, increased energy levels throughout the day, and greatly improved strength and flexibility which is actually extremely useful in everyday life. Personal training is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. The personal training really made me look forward to visiting the gym. There is no way I could ever have learnt the techniques and achieved the results without the personal training. I was also fascinated to learn about the science behind it and how a lot of the conventional wisdom about exercise is wrong. I think the best part was that it introduced variety to my workouts which had become boring and professional advice and assistance from a trainer who knows all the science and how it works in practice. Learning the techniques first then following a specially tailored program.

Jonathan Higginson

Wish I was back there training with you as I’ve totally lost motivation and you were the one trainer that I got results from, so keep up the good work and hope things are going well with you.
 
Cheers
 
ADRIAN De Brock

I often think of people who are suffering and have not been fortunate as I have, to have found Mark Latham.

Adele E. Persi

(read Adele’s full story at the bottom of the page)

I really trust Mark and have complete confidence that what he develops will be
the most appropriate (and safe) way to train. His great sense of humour is also very rehabilitative! I would absolutely recommend him without hesitation. Mark is great with people, and clearly a committed, extremely well qualified health professional. I really admire the holistic approach he follows.

Amanda Livingstone

I would and have recommended personal training with Mark to others. During my training I noticed a firmness and toning that I had not achieved in my (almost exclusively) cardio training that I did on my own. I felt fantastic and some of my body issues (such as, dislike of my stomach area) dissipated somewhat. I also felt stronger and more “stable” and upright. At yoga I was functioning much better. Overall, during the period of training with Mark I felt strong enough to do activities “properly” (with correct technique) and was much more aware of my body and movements. The main reasons for my achievement – the regular, twice weekly sessions with Mark, as well as recommendations of his to continue yoga and incorporate more swimming really motivated me. The best thing was the “accelerated” results you get from one-on-one training and the knowledge and greater awareness of my body that was gained. I really liked the initial explanations, consultation and testing. This really increased my understanding of the limitations of my body type etc.. and also, allows (some) quantitatively measurable results.

Samantha Anderson

I found my NLP session with Mark extremely beneficial on a number of levels. It motivated me and strengthened my belief that I could attain my training goals- however it also helped me on a more fundamental level, in that it refocused my personal goals, which I found to be of enormous benefit. I have tried other personal training sessions in the past, but found Mark’s unique use of NLP with sports training expertise, gave me what I was looking for. Highly recommended.

Dr Sinead McCluskey. PhD Nutrition

I walk/sit straighter, I look more confident and that makes me feel more confident.
Breathing is easier. I easily achieved more than I set out to! I started out thinking that the limited time I was going to spend (6 weeks) before leaving Australia would not produce much effect. Wrongly I thought it would take months before a result was noticeable. It came as a pleasant surprise to feel A LOT better after just a few sessions. I gained more weight than I thought I would and the postural change was amazing. I would attribute my success to the holistic approach (Tailored exercise, nutritional advise, supplements, etc.) and a good balance in exercise programs (working alternately upper- and lower body and postural exercises, not overdoing one and not forgetting the other). Overall, the best part was the learning experience. I would not have been able to keep it up if I did not understand what I was doing. I would not have had a great commitment if Mark didn’t explain to me what I was doing, why I was doing it and exactly how it should be done.

It was the first time in my entire life that I enjoyed exercise. !!!

I have already recommended Marks services to others. ” /> It’s a pity that Belgium is so far away from Australia …. I have had some very positive responses from the tales about my exercise. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of feeling my body change and react. The trust I felt towards Mark and his capabilities helped me to put in the extra ‘rep’.

Thomas Kaiser

My friends son aged 12 who suffers from Aspergers and scoliosis and my daughter in law aged 26 both have been treated by Mark. They were as pleased as I am. Mark is capable of relating well to people of all ages and as a teacher of 41 years experience I recognised immediately Mark’s exceptional teaching ability. He questions, explains and demonstrates brilliantly. He gives his full attention and direction to every exercise performed. He motivates by giving praise and encouragement.

Adele E. Persi

(read Adele’s full story at the bottom of the page)

Whilst sticking to the programme I definitely felt better about myself – aesthetically and functionally. I very much appreciated the ‘holistic’ approach you took. To train your whole body as opposed to specific muscle groups. So I felt much stronger. I liked the fact that someone else was interested/concerned about me reaching my goals and suggesting ways to help out (even while not in a session together).

Peter Kloczko

I reduced body fat around the waist line and generally overall. This was a result of using the programs you had written me and sticking to them.. The Corrective stretches helped a great deal in loosening up my legs and helping with quicker recover from sore muscles. Overall fitness improved slightly as well. My core strength work during PT sessions gave me much greater strength and stability in that area, which I was in need of. Improved fitness enabled me to reduce the rest periods in between sets – speeding up workouts and getting an extra set in here and there. I achieved my target weight loss goal, reducing body fat a fair bit. I had to introduce some additional cardio (road running) to get there though. I think the compound sets and tri-sets in the programs were something I wasn’t used to and therefore pretty much shocked my body into change. My previous usual work-outs and cardio sessions weren’t making much of a difference to my body composition so they needed a shake-up. The PT sessions incorporated a range of variations to exercises which I hadn’t done before – in particular the use of rubber bands as resistance. The best part has to be the results I achieved. I enjoy being pushed to the limit by a Trainer– so a little more aggressive training would have been great. Other than that, I thought that you were a great trainer. Your training routines and guidance were fantastic and the sessions were always well planned and tailored to what I wanted to achieve. The only other feedback I would give is that I thought the cost of PT sessions were a little expensive and therefore restricted the number of sessions I could have with you, as well as keeping you on for a longer period. I guess the rebuttal or argument here is that you pay a premium for a premium service?

Craig Jackison

I have made strong progress during my program that Mark prepared for me. I feel that I am moving well to achieving my goals. The program kept me focussed and doing a regular exercise program that was goal/outcome focussed.

I definitely have more muscle tone on my arms (I was after that!) and have built up a stronger core (which I still need to keep on improving). My stomach (which is my main ‘problem area – particularly after children’ has reduced in size (although I feel I have more to go here). At the height of the program friends were making comments about how ‘toned I looked’.

The program has made me feel great. I need to do a certain amount of exercise to feel ‘good’ within myself and while doing the program I have a positive frame of mind, feel good about myself and feel like I am getting stronger.

I feel like I have more energy and I am stronger from doing the program.

I feel like I have achieved what I set out to. I feel like I am going really well towards achieving my goals. I have decreased bodyfat, and increased abdominal and back strength and general strength. I feel I still have more strengthening of abs and decreasing/toning of bodyfat in this ab area to go.

The main reasons I would you give for this are a well designed program and also ensuring I kept consistently doing the program at least 2-3 times each week.

The best part of the experience is having someone to discuss my programs, set goals, monitor progress and motivate me to achieve them. I feel by ‘knowing’ that I have to ‘check in’ with Mark every few weeks I am more likely to keep up the consistent exercise and not make excuses to myself about not doing the program. I think the whole experience was very positive – from the goal setting, the program, the illustrated program notes (they were very helpful, particularly the pictures) and the sessions. I can’t think of anyway of improving the service.

I would absolutely recommend Mark’s Fitness Coaching services to others – and I have already!

Kylie Bryden-Smith

Mark gave me confidence that I could improve my strength and posture. He tailored the exercise
program to met my needs and allowed for my age. He is a fantastic personal trainer.

Mary Collings

My shoulder feels stronger and definitely not as vulnerable to injury. It was good to have a properly tailored program to follow and a new way of looking at fitness. The assessment was vital for individualising my program!!
 
The best part of my personal training experience was the detail in my customised program, more understanding of fitness issues, and the motivation in having a trainer
 
I enjoyed working with you Mark especially your intelligent approach to fitness.

Alexandra Leafe

I fancy I look trimmer from my Personal Training. This is evident in my clothes. They require taking in.
I have a great deal more energy than I have had for many years.
I am thinking more clearly than prior to beginning working with Mark
Mark has shown me the way, and if I keep faithful to what he has taught, I think I can continue to improve.

Mark’s explanations of everything he asked of me made good sense, and I am the kind of person who requires that understanding. The best part was the knowledge that I was in the hands of someone who was adaptable and sufficiently experienced not to expect a 77 year old to attempt what younger people would be capable of doing.

I would like Mark to come back to continue to teach me, but I would also like to see him train other trainers to the standard that he has reached.

I certainly would recommend Personal Training with Mark to others. I need the discipline of a personal
Trainer. I lead a very busy life and need the discipline of knowing Mark is going to turn up and I cannot make an excuse as I would do if I had to go to the Gym.

I believe there is a real need for fit older aged citizens to be catered for. Particularly retired people, who are fit and wish to stay that way, and have the money to spend. If they knew how different their lives could be with educated instruction to suit their age they would jump at the chance. I believe this training should include diet habits, which tend to become sloppy as one ages.

Shirley Greathead

I have noticed a number of changes from personal training with Mark.

More confident about attempting more difficult exercises
Stronger

Less frequent occurrences of lower back pain/discomfort

Increased capacity and endurance on cardio machines

Increased function in right shoulder and arm

Much less need to make allowances for lower back problems; can stand and sit for longer periods than before

The best part of my Personal training experience has been the variety of exercises and changes in routine, learning about various fitness/health/nutrition issues and finding out I’m capable of doing more than I thought I was.

I can’t think of any suggestions to improve the service so it must be good.

(name withheld for privacy)

To whom it may concern,

Five years ago I had a bad fall in the workplace and found myself in a condition where I had difficulty walking and climbing steps. I was in a great deal of pain. In addition I had developed over the years, very bad posture. I was round shouldered, had caved in chest and humped back, scoliosis with rigid fixed vertebrae.

The osteopath treating me reached a stage where he felt I was no longer progressing under his treatment. He had met Mark Latham and was extremely impressed with the work Mark was doing. He referred me to him. Mark Latham assessed me through measurement, stretching and strengthening tests and then devised an exercise therapy program for my needs.

At the completion of this program I was a changed person. Mark had corrected my posture to the range within perfect which I have maintained to this day. My spine has gained movement and flexibility. He rehabilitated me from my injuries, I was completely pain free.

I began an amazing new life for a fifty seven year old woman. I took up pump classes, carried out a maintenance program at the gym and did Swiss ball exercises at home which were also devised for me by Mark. I was the fittest I had ever been in my whole life.

I am forever grateful to Mark Latham because he changed my life.

Unfortunately last year, whilst I was cross country running with the children in my class, I tripped and fell causing forward slippage of L4/L5 discs and impaction on L5 nerve roots.

After unsuccessful treatments from a variety of different practitioners my G.P., recognising the success I had had with Mark Latham previously gave me another referral.

Once again I am making excellent progress in my rehabilitation under Marks carefully planned program of exercise therapy.

Mark always examines and questions thoroughly at the beginning, throughout and at the end of each session, ensuring the exercises are improving my condition and not causing any trauma to set me back.

Mark has always shown great respect for other professionals and has worked in consultation with an osteopath and acupuncturist to whom he referred me for soft tissue treatment in conjunction with the exercises.

My friends son aged 12 who suffers from Aspergers and scoliosis and my daughter in law aged 26 both have been treated by Mark. They were as pleased as I am. Mark is capable of relating well to people of all ages and as a teacher of 41 years experience I recognised immediately Mark’s exceptional teaching ability. He questions, explains and demonstrates brilliantly. He gives his full attention and direction to every exercise performed. He motivates by giving praise and encouragement.

I appreciate the extensive, detailed reports Mark has written for me on my condition and treatment.

Dr Paul Coneely (Musculoskeletal Practitioner) spoke to me of his admiration for Mark’s character, knowledge and application. He has referred patients to Mark for treatment.

Work colleagues of Marks who have approached me in the gym have expressed their admiration for Mark as a person, as a professional, his knowledge, expertise, skill and dedication.

I often think of people who are suffering and have not been fortunate as I have, to have found Mark Latham.

I hold Mark Latham in the highest regard and it is with great pleasure that I commend him to you.

I wish Mark all the success he deserves in his future endeavours.

Yours sincerely

Adele E Persi