September Client Spotlight: Claudia Thia

Stepping into a gym can be an intimidating experience, especially when you’re unsure of where to begin or how to navigate the equipment. For many, this uncertainty can deter them from fully committing to their fitness journey. However, for one of our members at LEVEL, seeking guidance from a personal trainer changed everything. Here’s a glimpse into Claudia’s journey with Coach Bronson as he transformed not only her body but also her confidence and mental strength.

What exercise did you do before starting training at LEVEL?

I started my strength training at LEVEL about 1-1.5 months ago. However, I wasn’t new to fitness; I used to go to the gym frequently years back. Starting back on my fitness journey, I mostly focused on outdoor walks, stair climbing and at-home dumbbell workouts. I didn’t go to the gym much then due to my lack of confidence.

What made you decide to train at LEVEL?

I decided I wanted to take my fat loss and getting into shape more seriously, and the best way to do it is under the guidance of an experienced trainer. I felt that my routine was insufficient, and I wasn’t happy with my progress. I also chose a gym with trainers that I felt would understand what I wanted, rather than one from a commercial gym that would force their ideas of just “toning up” and doing a lot of cardio on me.

Is this your first time working with a personal trainer?

No, years back, I had a PT at an all-female gym. I lost weight quickly but I wasn’t eating enough, and there’s a big emphasis on cardio/HIIT-type workouts, with some strength incorporated. I bounced back to my original weight and got even heavier quickly after I ended training then.

What were you hoping to achieve with personal training?

I wanted to build my confidence in the gym, to be able to squat, bench press and deadlift without worrying about people judging me or my form, as well as to accelerate my fat loss process to become a muscle mummy!

Describe a typical workout session.

I train with Coach Bronson twice a week, one day is for the upper body where we do barbell shoulder presses, chest presses and some accessory back work to strengthen my back since I had an issue with back stiffness for many years. Lower body day would include zercher squats, deadlifts, crab walks, bulgarian split squats (ouch!). I usually leave every session feeling like I expanded my energy and gave my all. (I’m only happy with the workout if I feel like I’m dead after LOL) Outside of that, Coach Bronson gives me workout routines to follow on my own outside to complement the work we do at LEVEL.

What have you gained from your personal training experience with LEVEL? Are you doing anything differently?

I have gained so much more confidence with the gym! I dare to take up space now, bench press, deadlifts etc all those that I wouldn’t dare to touch on my own. Bronson always tells me to assert dominance and not be intimidated by others at the gym. I also realise I’m not as weak as I thought I was, I’m lifting significantly heavier now and my progress has been amazing. I lost a total of ~8kg of fat since my fitness journey and it has only been like, 2.5months. I’m a lot mentally stronger as well thanks to Bronson pushing me on and dispelling my concerns and worries. I struggle a lot with my body image and I like that he acknowledges that instead of brushing it off. He always provides words of encouragement whenever I’m feeling down and I’m thankful.

How is training at LEVEL different from other gyms?

The gym is spacious, very clean and brightly lit, the trainers and staff members are all friendly and it’s a very nice environment to work out in! I feel like I don’t really have to worry about much but just focus on my workout and giving my best each time.

Would you recommend LEVEL to a friend/family, and why?

I would recommend LEVEL to friends and family, my progress speaks for itself! I think it’s a really good investment for their physical and mental health.

How has fitness improved your mental health?

I’ve come to find out that I’m a lot more resilient than I thought I was. I used to loathe cardio (okay I still do) but I do it because it’s good for my cardiovascular health. If I can put myself through that torture 3x a week, I can put myself through anything. On top of that, I’m a little more confident in my own skin and I don’t feel like I have to hide as much as before.

What would you say to people who are afraid to lift weights?

If you think lifting weights makes you bulky, all the girls out there will look like buff gorillas from Planet of the Apes. If you can get super buff from just lifting weights at the start of your journey – please share your tips because I’ve been working my ass off and I barely see muscle on my arms. 🙁 Also, by gaining lean muscle mass from training, you get to boost your metabolism as well. You can eat Mala Xiang Guo without worrying as much. Yay, big win!

Can you share a testimonial for your trainer?

Coach Bronson is super friendly, personable and professional. Workout sessions with him are like working out with your bestie – it doesn’t feel stressful in any way and I always look forward to each session. Training is super fun and I appreciate that each workout is tailored to my rate of growth and strength. He knows when to push me and when to take a step back for a more chill session. He’s genuinely happy for the small wins I have when I hit my PRs so it really feels like he’s appreciating my growth every step of the way! And that is so important because sometimes you need someone to tell you that you’re doing good, for you to be motivated for the rest of your journey. Coach Bronson is AMAZING and I cannot recommend him enough!!

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