What People Are Saying about our Personal Training Course

Find out what employers, students and graduates are saying about the Max Personal Training Course.

What Employers are Saying

“Max (formerly NZCF) produces highly focused, motivated graduates that has a clear passion for the fitness industry – everything I look for when recruiting”. Gerrard Fynmore, Regional Fitness Manager, Cityfitness, Auckland

“Max (formerly NZCF) has assisted me in recruitment of staff over the last 3 years. I have employed several Max graduates who have gone on to become some of our most successful personal trainers here at Les Mills.” Norm Phillips, PT Manager, Les Mills Auckland. (The largest health club in NZ)

What Students & Graduates are Saying

Hey everyone!!!

I just wanted to say a big thank you to Max (formerly NZCF) for literally changing my life!!

I came to the College out of interest. I always had an interest in health and fitness, and thought, maybe I might like to work in a gym one day.

But now, Max has opened my eyes to so much more, that I didn’t even realise I wanted until now!! I don’t just want to entertain people as a dancer; much more importantly, I want to change their lives with health and fitness.

And most importantly, I feel I have achieved such an amazing personal growth from my 8 weeks with you all. Which is something I have really been striving for over the past year or so, and I really value that!!

I was thinking yesterday when Steve was talking about how the environment plays a huge part in your business and life, that you guys have created an amazing and supportive environment for us to come to each day. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that!! Actually during the course I would sit there some days and think, I would love to be a part of this environment, to be a part of that first step that many of us take to achieve or even realise our dreams. I was reading my pack this morning with the “8 steps to your new career in fitness” and the STTA really struck a chord with me. So definitely, if you are ever looking to expand the team or an opportunity pops up in the future, please, I would love an opportunity to register for the next STTA.

I wanted to say thank you so much to Max (formerly NZCF) for helping me achieve my personal goal of becoming a Personal Trainer. My personal mission statement is short and simple: “To Change Peoples Lives”.

I’ve always wanted to help people achieve their personal lifestyle goals. I’ve done this within the Muaythai kickboxing and boxing fields achieving South Island champions and New Zealand champions. I’ve always wanted to be involved in the fitness industry on a full time basis. I come from a corporate background in travel retail and have run multimillion dollar operations as well as set up new operations from start to finish. I was quite nervous about moving into a field with little experience, no formal training and the fact that you’re only as good as your last client.

It was through a friend’s recommendation that I enquired about the College. So I called from Queenstown and from my first phone call to my start day, I was impressed with the support and professionalism of the College team. I enrolled and from then on, it was like a rollercoaster ride!

The course was awesome. The Coaches were very knowledgeable and presented the course material in a professional manner with fun activities that kept everyone contributing. I suppose I must be a D type character which loves challenges, because I thoroughly enjoyed my whole time at the College. I made some great friendships that will last a lifetime and am now doing what I’ve always wanted to do.

I would personally recommend the College to any person, young or mature and motivated. I would probably classify myself as mature and motivated as I’m close to 50 yrs of age. If I can do it, so can anyone else. Bruce Lee used a quote that I thought was really cool: “Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do!!”. You have to step out of your comfort zone and like the Nike Slogan says, “JUST DO IT”!

Thanks so much & God Bless

Wayne Vaega – Personal Trainer with Fitz Boxing at Pro-Fitness, Christchurch

Goals and dreams in life are endless. One of my goals is to change careers after having worked in administration/clerical roles for 18 years. My passion is health and fitness, so that’s where I’m heading.

I played touch rugby (what a game!) for 25 years at competitive levels, then moved into women’s rugby league for six years, before retiring from all team sports in 2005. This left a void, so shortly after that I took part in the 2006 Auckland Half Marathon. I have kept myself involved with the Run Auckland Series which has given me that balance in life.

I am very excited about pursuing a career in the health and fitness industry. I do not have a highly educated background so I am very keen to gain the knowledge that is required to reach my goal and vision. My first step is to become a qualified Personal Trainer with Max (formerly NZCF). By the end of this year I will have achieved that, with the plan then to gain a position at a recreation centre or gym.

My vision is to share my skills with our younger population. Making a difference in the health and lives of our youth will fill my life with great joy and happiness. My long term goal is to open my own gym/recreation centre for adults and children. I’m sure there will be many challenges and obstacles to overcome, but by keeping my vision foremost in my mind, I know I will rise to the challenge. Watch this space!!!

Sylvia Puru – Part Time Student

I chose to study at the Max because it was going to give me more than a PT qualification, and I knew I would be learning from the best and studying with like-minded people. I felt like I was the most important person. When I explained I wanted to get out of the corporate world the team was so supportive of my move to study to be a PT. The College and its team are professional, they provide every possible opportunity to learn more and no question is a silly question! I love the enthusiasm in which the classes are taken, it certainly gets me motivated.

Lydia Cetina – Part Time Student

When I enrolled at Max (formerly NZCF), I was somewhat fearful of what to expect. Would I make a fool of myself? Would I be treated as a joke? Would I be accepted?

My fears were unfounded. I was accepted and respected by the Max staff and my classmates.

My time at Max was one of the best of experiences of my life. Not only did I learn a lot about fitness and the fitness industry, I learnt a lot about myself. I emerged from the course a much more understanding and kinder person.

To anyone considering enrolling in the course, I would just say this. Just do it. I guarantee you will not regret it.

Alan Edwards 25.03.08 – Full Time student January 2008 intake (62 years young)

My name is Pagia Wilson. I attended Max (formerly NZCF) after years of working in various HR, IT and sales roles.

I had ruptured my right achilles tendon and was sitting around feeling sorry for my sorry ass, and being a pain to the family when I came across an article on the New Zealand College of Fitness. It gave me an idea – I was running Boxing Fitness & Technique classes with no formal certification. Why not study?

I still remember my first contact with the College over the phone. From that point I knew I was going to study at the New Zealand College. From day one I was treated as a member of the College and not just a student.

Learning at Max is not all about books and biceps. You are not put into a large lecture room. You are not just there to make up the numbers, but there to experience the education, WOW STYLE, a learning experience like no other I have experienced. You feel the warmth as soon as you walk in through the doors. Max makes you WANT to study, not HAVE to…

You’re made to feel welcome the moment you come through the door. Your outside life is on hold while you take care of your future.

I now have my own business “Reinvent Health & Fitness”. Specialising in corporate group training sessions and extra Personal Training if requested. I now apply the principles I learnt at College to my everyday decisions. Look out. Today Auckland, tomorrow the North Island, next nationwide, then the world…

Thanks Max.

Pagia Wilson – Reinvent Health & Fitness, en route to being the McDonalds of the Health & Fitness Industry.

The Max Program was, without doubt, the most inspiring and motivating health & fitness business course that I have attended.

Crammed full of practical information on all aspects of starting, running and succeeding in your own fitness business, this course will arm you with the confidence that you can succeed and make things happen.

The interactive sessions and workshops challenged & encouraged you to step out of your comfort zone and learn new skills.

The course lecturers were very knowledge, patient, approachable and very giving of their time and experience, even at the end of the day.

I highly recommend this course if you want to learn in an environment that is friendly, positive and caring about developing its students to be the best they can be.

Mike Francis

The hardest part of the course was picking up the phone and making that first call.

The wonderful College team made me feel so welcome. The support and encouragement was great from day one.

Because I’m a busy Mum with three children, the eight week full time course was perfect for me. It’s amazing what you can learn in that time. I found a job before I had even finished the course, and now just two months later I’m training six clients per week.

It just goes to show you are never too old to learn new skills. If you are thinking of getting into the industry, don’t waste any more time thinking about it. I still can’t believe I get paid for something I enjoy so much.

Janine Branch

Well a lot has happened since I graduated. My initial plan was to go back to the corporate industry for a couple years while I built up a client base. However I picked up a client, then another, then another, and so on and so on and I now have 17 clients and that’s without any advertising!

I have started my own business, bought all my equipment, business cards and sign writing should be ready today! I have just finished doing Fitness Assesments for the Wellington Under 16 Rugby Team and I am in negotiations with our local Rugby Club to run their pre season training for early next year. Plus I’ve been doing circuit training at my local marae for the elderly (I don’t charge them anything). I really, really, love this industry and it’s all thanks to all you GUYS!!

One of my ladies who I have been training for 6 weeks now (3 times a week) gave me a big hug and kiss today, because she could get into a size 18 jeans, and when she started she was a 24. I am so proud of her and it just makes the whole job I do so much more enjoyable. I really AM changing people’s lives!

Keep inspiring and motivating all those budding Personal Trainers and look after yourselves!! Ka Kite Ko Arohanui!! Miss you all

Terry Tata

When I first saw the ad for this course in a Fitness Life magazine it caught my eye, but then I flicked over the page not thinking much more. It must have sparked an interest in my mind somewhere though, as I went back to that page a couple of weeks later.

That’s when I contacted the College who gave me great insight into the course and sent me through some info. It took me another few weeks pondering over the info and a few chats with the College Career Coach before I got my A into G!

I must admit I was scared of the huge change in lifestyle I was making, but I knew it was meant to be. I had a background that consisted of horses, horses and more horses so pulling myself away from that was hard.

However, it’s been a life changing experience for me and I don’t regret one day of it. It’s allowed me to prove to myself mostly that I’m capable of anything, just some hard work along the way and you can reap the benefits later on.

The Max course has allowed me to set myself on an upward climb to success within the fitness and health industry. Who knows were it will take me? I just know it’s going to be an exciting journey!

Thanks everyone at the College for setting me up for life.

Clare Austin, Personal Trainer