Smart-Fit makes a healthy lifestyle sociable

Posted Jan 12, 2012 By David Johnston

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EMC Sports - Fitness is science in motion for Matthew Linsdell. As owner of the new Smart Fit Exercise Facility at 2602 Innes Road in Blackburn Hamlet, Matthew focuses on helping clients achieve a healthy social lifestyle balance with challenging exercise.

"I want to bring good evidenced based exercise science to people at an affordable price," Matthew says. "The emphasis is on teaching people to train themselves. So every time they show up it is like going to practice, and I'm the coach."

But instead of practicing a specific sport, clients learn to use their muscles.

"The idea is that over time you require less and less tutelage until the point when you can just show up and conduct your own workout, or train yourself at home."

Workouts teach effective and safe strength training methods using minimal equipment.

"At first it's just learning to work with your own body weight mostly, and then progressing to more challenging and complex exercises."

Though the concept may seem somewhat unorthodox compared to traditional athletic training, Matthew believes his approach is in line with how most people live and the goals they really want to achieve.

"I offer my clients all the things you would normally expect from a personal trainer," he contends. "But, I like to think of myself as a teacher too. I explain the physiological effects of what is happening to our bodies when we train. This allows my clients to gain insight into the inner working of their bodies."

Linsdell is an ACE® certified personal trainer, but he also has a degree in Biological Technologies.

"My areas of expertise are based around physiology and biochemistry. My science background greatly influences the way I approach personal training. I do not gloss over the complicated information or make meaningless statements. When I say something you can expect it to be relevant and informative. And my explanations are thorough and clear."

It's the subtle difference in his approach that Matthew believes sets him apart from other trainers.

"I want to emphasize the social nature of exercise, creating a place where people can meet other like-minded individuals and form friendships that will keep them active - people with healthy lifestyles forming bonds with other healthy people."

And though Linsdell admits that any gym can be a venue for forming friendships, he says Smart Fit goes the extra mile in promoting social interaction. He says it's all about creating a relaxed atmosphere that focuses on an active, healthy lifestyle.

"Smart Fit is a bit different. It's small, and so you're more likely to get to know most everyone who frequents it. And we invite everyone to take part in our group events. Anyone can join our cult of healthy fit people. If the interest is there, we can even go rock climbing or hiking."

His Sole Mates group is an example of how his members interact.

Sole Mates is not a dating service, it's a running group held every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. from the Smart Fit facility.

"We'll have some sort of adventure depending on the group consensus decided on during the week, and also, depending on the weather. In the nicer months that might be a simple trail run. If there is five inches of snow on the ground then cross country skiing or snow shoeing. The great thing about this outdoor adventure group is that it is not limited to Smart Fit members. The hope of Sole Mates is that you will get a good aerobic workout, learn something, and maybe make a friend."

Matthew wants to be very clear regarding memberships. There are no contracts, no joining fees, or any of the other trappings you see with big gyms.

"Personal training shouldn't be exclusively for the wealthy."

A month membership costs $75 plus tax. That will get you full access to the facility whenever it is open, as well as access to Matthew and his training experience. If you're the only person in the gym you get 100 per cent of Matthew's attention. If there more people, he divides his attention.

"There are no appointments to make. Just show up and workout. You can only join Smart Fit in one-month increments. There are no special offers or incentives to pay for multiple months. I think most people are too smart to fall for that sort of thing. I want everything I do to be transparent."

Ultimately, Matthew wants Smart-Fit to be a focal point for an athletic lifestyle. Though he refrains from offering nutrition advice, he does support swapping healthy recipes, "or just chatting after a workout".

"Personal trainers should never provide you with dietary advice. Certified personal trainers are only certified to provide you with instruction in personal training. You probably wouldn't ask your car mechanic where to invest your money. In a similar vein of logic, only seek advice on diet from a reputable evidence based source.

"Some personal trainers will assure you that they have taken a nutrition course, which qualifies them to give nutritional advice. Please be sceptical and ask for some details about their qualification. I have also taken sport nutrition courses but these are so rudimentary and simple to complete that they do not supply the student with adequate information to counsel others regarding nutrition."

With a varied athletic background, Matthew admits that it's all about being fit, not being competitive.

"I am an avid distance runner. I enjoy triathlons and rock climbing. When time allows you can find me paddling anything on flat or white water."

Instead of being a sport-focused training centre, Matthew's vision is for Smart Fit is to be a sort of social club for its members.

"If you've never worked out a day in your life, or if you are a veteran, come and enjoy the social pleasure of a group activity. And if you have any good recipes to share, please print a few and bring them along to hand out."

Smart Fit is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 - 5 p.m. You can check it out online at www.smart-fit.ca or call 613-400-2094 and info@smart-fit.ca.




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