Eleni first came to Level via Classpass, when she attended a group class conducted by Eva in Feb 2019. “I was lucky enough to be the only one attending and that’s how I got to meet Eva.”

"I saw how much thought and care she puts into her clients; she took the time to explain the movements and looked out for my form. That was the first time I thought of getting a personal trainer."

At that moment, Eleni realised that there was more to fitness than just gym classes and reps and sets. 1-on1 personal training could help her better understand the mechanics of her body and improve her overall strength and fitness.

Personal training has taught me how to train the right way, and move with the right form. It is a great way to add variety to my workouts, while having an accountability partner to empower and challenge me.”



As an avid recreational runner, Eleni also wanted to improve her running performance. Over the next couple of months, Eva brought Eleni through a series of programs that revolved around strength and plyometrics to achieve her goals.

Eva incorporated front squats into her programming to work the quads, gluten and core, loaded sled pushes to build up endurance under fatigue, and a mix of full body explosive exercises like wall balls, burpee box jump overs and thrusters.

It wasn't long before Eleni could do a 53kg regular deadlift, a 70kg trap bar deadlift and a 75kg farmer's walk. Eleni has also seen significant improvements with her running performance. From 5km runs, she built up the endurance to complete her first ever half marathon.

"Personal training has provided me with strength, confidence and drive to challenge myself and become better. It's massively helped my running as well, pushing my performance to a completely different level."



"Eleni is able to hit 10km with ease these days. Apart from getting stronger physically, which enables her to quicken her running pace, she has also gotten stronger mentally to push through the pain," said Eva.

Apart from reaching her goals, Eva and Eleni have grown much closer through Level. Their friendship extends beyond the two of them, to the other trainers and members of the gym as well. Eleni goes for post-workout coffee regularly with Eva and other Level members.

"Level is great because you always recognise everyone inside. People are always checking up on you. It feels like you're training with your friends, it's not intimidating or pretentious."



"I've found a community of people I enjoy being around, and a great friend in my trainer Eva."

Eleni has found that training at Level has not only provided her with a more profound understanding of fitness, but it has also given her the drive to push beyond her ever-evolving goals. She is looking to get stronger and to complete her first ever full marathon in the near future.

"If you want to reach your goals and have fun while you're at it, there's no better place than Level!"

If you’re asking this question (which you’re probably not, because nobody asked), the best— and most unhelpful— answer is this: it depends. So because we’ve got some extra space on this issue of the newsletter, let’s talk about what this depends on.

We’re going to assume we know nothing about you and your training history, and your injuries past or current, and how much you sleep, and the time you have to train, and what you work as, and how you prefer to move, and whether or not that back pain is actually a disc bulge or you not stretching your hamstrings once over the past 3 years, and who you live with, and whether that affects the energy you have. 

We’ll look past all that for now, because training is! the! most! important! thing! for! your! physical! and! mental! goals!

We need to stop looking at our bodies as a cargo ship bearing containers that segregate different aspects of our life and person, drifting through the ocean of life like a log on a lazy river. The entirety of our psyche and body are only as strong and healthy as our parts that we don’t focus on: relationships that tire us, jobs that drain us, worries that paralyse us and yes, bodies that we don’t love as much as we should.

If you haven’t noticed by now, we’re chest deep into the meat of what “it depends” means, and the short list can be found in paragraph 3 of this article.

The best way to start feeling better both physically and mentally is not by trying to burn the most calories to look a certain way, nor is it lifting the most weight nor holding the perfect handstand. These things are outcomes that flow from having your body and mind in order. Does that mean we don’t move our bodies and just spend our time in therapy? Of course not, but it means we should start being accountable to ourselves and try to reduce unnecessary stress in our lives.

This looks stressful

Talk to someone you trust, then move in ways that make you happy. Not just the sweaty endorphin kind of happy, but in forms that challenge and excite you! Go for a dance class, learn how to perform a snatch, climb more difficult routes in your climbing gym, run because you want to spend time around nature and wildlife.

That’s where the training plan comes in. It comes in to elevate your privilege of movement. It comes in to provide thoughtful, progressive ways that help you be more… you!

Go for sessions because you like them and because they help you, not because you have to burn that stray pineapple tart or spend time in purgatory for the boozy brunch last weekend.

So the next time that person asks “Eeyer why you go gym you not scared you get bulky ah”, think about your deep health, smile and wave, and keep doing things and being around people that make you happy.

Want more answers to unimportant questions? Stand in the middle of the gym and yell your requests to the sky! We picked up this one from all the times people have tried balancing their phones on walls, windows and small children to film themselves (and failed). Siri's always listening, and so are we.