Instructors

Adhyatma – Yoga Instructor

I started instructing with Lifestyle in 2011. I have a passion for health and well being and love watching people’s skill grow through yoga through learning to relax, breath and stretch properly. Outside of the gym, I teach yoga to prisoners, and in other parts of the community. I love gardening, walking and singing and enjoy weekends away camping.

Kelly Alkema – ThaiFit and Step Instructor

I’ve been teaching Group Exercise at Lifestyle since 2002. The best thing about working at the gym is getting to know some great people and keeping fit, while motivating others to push themselves hard and enjoy the classes. Outside the gym I work in Human Resources and enjoy spending time with my partner and three children.

Pete Anderson – RiDE Instructor

Pete has been an Instructor with Lifestyle since 2007. He is a very enthusiastic instructor who loves to get the best out of his class participants.

Sha Bannister – RiDE, ThaiFit and MuscleXpress Instructor

I have been with Lifestyle Health & Fitness since 2005. I specialise in RiDE and MuscleXpress. Teaching rocks!!! I love to motivate, inspire and make people sweat like they have never sweated before. I like to challenge and educate my participants that it is okay to become a little breathless in Group Exercise classes. You want results, get your sweat on!!!

I have represented New Zealand in the Open Mixed Touch Team for 10 years. I have a huge passion for the fitness industry and enjoy spending time with my family Levi, Ariana, and my fiancée Stace… hehe. The gym is my second family – I don’t think I could live without it!

Michelle Childs – MuscleXpress and ThaiFit Instructor

Hi, I joined the group exercise team at Lifestyle as a MuscleXpress Instructor in 2010. I started teaching ThaiFit in 2011. I have been attending group exercise classes for the past 20 years, so it’s safe to say I’ve just about tried them all and I love them! It’s very rewarding to see the results such as improved strength, tone, and fitness that people achieve from these classes. I strive to provide a great workout in a fun, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere. When I’m away from the gym I’m kept busy with my family and my position as a dental practice manager. Those of you that already know me will know that I love to chat! So please don’t hesitate to stop and say hi if you see me around.

Chris Cripps – ThaiFit, Zumba@, and Step Instructor

Chris started instructing classes for Lifestyle in 1999 – she is one of our “old hats” and has a passion for fitness and keeping people motivated.

Anthony Davidson – BoxFit Instructor

Anthony has been with Lifestyle since 2007. He’s a Results Based Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and also takes Box Squad, one of Lifestyle’s team training programmes. Anthony’s functional style of training will get you where you want to be.

Bill Graham – RiDE Instructor

An Instructor for Lifestyle since 2006, Bill loves to see members train hard and reach their goals. Jump on a bike in Bill’s class and enjoy the RiDE.

Tracy Heron – RiDE, MuscleXpress, Zumba®, ThaiFit, EverActive, BoxFit, Pilates, and Yoga Instructor

I began teaching classes in 1989 after I was approached during an aerobics class at the YMCA. I thought, why not? I went from just having a go to learn more by doing a Group Fitness qualification and then over the years a Personal Training Certificate followed by a Diploma in Sport Studies at Otago University.

Over 20 years later I am still teaching classes and still have the passion I had when I started. The most important thing to me, with classes, is that they are fun and achievable for everyone.

Tanya Houpt – Zumba®, Pilates and Youthfit Instructor

29 years ago my brother dragged me along to a gym in Thorndon, to a High Impact Aerobic class, where there were 100 people – I was hooked in an instant! An extensive background in dance and gymnastics lead to a part-time job teaching Hi Impact Aerobics (that’s all there was then) and yes we wore lycra, g-strings and leg warmers! A passion for Competitive Aerobics and Hip Hop has resulted in me traveling to places such as Morocco, Russia, Finland, Belgium, Serbia and Netherlands as World Head Judge since 2001.

I have been on an awesome journey within the fitness industry that has lead to specialising in Children’s fitness and developing School programs and Youthfit as well as instructing and training instructors.

Katrina Jensen – EverActive Instructor

Katrina has been with Lifestyle since 1998. A lovely lady with a calming nature – her class participants love her and always leave her classes feeling relaxed and energised.

Jennie Mackie – EverActive Instructor

I have enjoyed being a Group Fitness Instructor at Lifestyle Health and Fitness Club for twenty years now and have been so lucky in finding employment with amazing like-minded people to work beside. Through these years I have instructed a range of various classes and am now turning my energies into working with our over fifties population, mainly in our Upper Hutt club.

Exercise is a priority to me and I feel very fortunate in sharing my time with enthusiastic members who know the importance of keeping fit and healthy. I want my classes to be fun but challenging, finding a balance to suit all participants. Come along and try my EverActive class, meet the team and decide for yourself.

Jo – Yoga Instructor

Hi, my name is Jo and I teach Yoga here at Lifestyle gym. I have a real passion for health and wellbeing and love helping people discover the transformative effects of Yoga. I teach with a strong emphasis on respecting the individual, allowing each person to work at the pace and level they are comfortable with. I love that Lifestyle has yoga classes as part of its group exercise options, it’s so great to see gym members enjoying and getting the benefits of a Yoga practice alongside their regular gym routines. My other big passions are gardening, cooking and getting out in nature, the bush or the beach with my beautiful kids, partner and friends.

Karla Mansfield – MuscleXpress, BoxFit, EverActive (Strength), Pilates, and Youthfit Instructor

I have been working for Lifestyle since the middle of 2008 on reception and as an Instructor. I love seeing the member’s faces after they have mastered an exercise that they never thought they could do, or after completing a new boxing combination. I love to push members to their limits! Come and chat to me, you’ll see me around the gym either on reception, on the floor as a Fitness Consultant, or on the stage as a Group Exercise Instructor.

My motto is “come on in and give it a go, you may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve!”

Sipaia McCarthy

I started instructing at Lifestyle in 2011. My passion has always been to be active, fit and healthy and I thrive to motivate and push people to reach their LIFESTYLE goals. Nothing energizes me more

Outside the gym I work for City Print Communication. Love rugby and spending time with family and friends.

Chris McCulloch – RiDE Instructor

In 2009 Chris went from participating in RiDE classes to instructing them. With a huge passion for cycling and running, Chris is sitting very comfortably on the Instructors RiDE seat for Lifestyle.

Craig McCulloch – RiDE Instructor

I joined Lifestyle as an instructor in 2010 and have been around the gym scene many years. I enjoy seeing the transformation that happens to people who regularly attend the gym, whether it be weight loss, fitness level, muscle toning, or self confidence. I find exercising really is the best way to kick start a day or erase the frustration at the end of the day and as an instructor I love helping people get what they want from group exercise. I am a keen cyclist, both road riding and mountain biking so enjoy getting members to visualize the ride while in class. I hope to see you in a RiDE class soon!

Mike Mercer – MuscleXpress Instructor

I’ve been a MuscleXpress Instructor for Lifestyle since 2010. I love it! To have a dedicated group of people coming along to work out in a session together – it ‘s a great environment to immerse yourself in and make the most of the lives we have been given! I’m passionate about all my sports and my major code is Fencing which I compete internationally. I am around the gym a fair bit – mainly Upper Hutt, so if you see me come up and introduce yourself.

Ben Montague – MuscleXpress, BoxFit, and EverActive Instructor

I’ve been teaching Group Exercise since 1995 and have really seen it evolve. I’ve instructed different class types over the years but the MuscleXpress class would be my all-time favourite, not only is it a great work-out but I’ve really got a kick out of seeing the progress some of the members have made by participating regularly. In my spare time I enjoy playing or watching sport, listening to music and spending time with my family – wife Neralee and kids Josh and Caleb

Yvette Potts – RiDE, BoxFit and MuscleXpress Instructor

I have been a Group Exercise Instructor since 2006. As an instructor, I love the intensity of my classes that I take. I am addicted to helping others achieve their personal goals, and helping them strive to improve on each class that they attend, as well as always pushing individuals to step out of their comfort zone whilst having fun doing so. Originally from South Africa, I moved to New Zealand in 2004. I have represented South Africa in both Softball and Karate. I enjoy various types of sport, and am currently attempting to better myself at golf when I am not at the gym or at work.

Tui Reid – RiDE and Zumba® Instructor

Tui has been instructing with Lifestyle since 2006. We now see more of Tui as she’s not only on the RiDE bike, but now also on stage with Lifestyle’s Zumba®.

Jo-Ann Saffioti – Zumba®, ThaiFit, MuscleXpress, Pilates, EverActive, BoxFit and Youthfit Instructor

I have an extensive background in the fitness industry and have been teaching at Lifestyle Gym since 1995. I teach a range of classes and must admit my favourites are ThaiFit and Zumba®, where the challenge to teach two completely different class types pushes me as an instructor. My goal is for members to reach their goals – nothing makes me feel better than that!

Amy Sammut – Pilates and Yoga Instructor

Hi, I’m Amy and I started teaching at Lifestyle in 2009. I completed a Diploma in Yoga in 2006 with the IYTA (NZ) and have studied posture and core training extensively over the past ten years. I have recently completed an Exercise Consultant Certificate with NZIHF. I find it so rewarding to help people gain strength in their bodies and relieve injuries and weaknesses through exercise. Lifestyle has a great atmosphere and I am enjoying being part of the team. My other passions are film making, traveling and snowboarding.

Bernie Semau – BoxFit and YouthFit Instructor

I’ve been with Lifestyle since 2006 and along the way have become a Results Based Trainer, Group Exercise instructor, YouthFit instructor and a Team Training instructor. Obviously I have a keen interest in martial arts/boxing and enjoy seeing members get the same kick out of the training as I do. I believe it is an empowering type of training and you can see the sense of achievement in people’s faces once they finish a class. It’s great to see people from all walks of life come together for one common goal. A lot of the time participants build friendships with other people in the class and there ‘s a real feel of team work within the group. When I’m not helping out other people with their training, I enjoy fitting in a few exercise sessions of my own. Like most of us, friends and family top my list of priorities outside of the gym.

Amber Swortzel – EverActive Instructor

I joined the Lifestyle instructor team in 2011 and love the friendly atmosphere here. I have been teaching health and fitness for over 16 years and recently moved back to New Zealand after living in Tampa, Florida for 18 years. Teaching fitness is such a privilege and it makes my heart sing when members not only reach their fitness goals, but have fun doing it.

Outside the gym I enjoy spending time with my family and keep very busy with three teenage daughters. My Husband Tony, is in love with New Zealand and so most weekends we are hiking a new trail.

Terry Tata – BoxFit and ThaiFit Instructor

I am a Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor and both of these roles give me the opportunity and pleasure in helping my clients and members achieve their health and fitness goals. I love what I do and I know it shows! I so love helping people to physically get to a place they never thought was possible! I absolutely appreciate the time members take to come to my classes, and I will always make every session FUN! That’s what the gym is all about, having fun with a great bunch of people. Away from the gym I love running, doing half and full marathons, boxing, kickboxing, and I have found a new passion with Zumba® – it’s great fun! I love spending time with my son Taine and daughter Ariana – they keep me on my toes.

Shane Taylor – RiDE and MuscleXpress Instructor

I began teaching Group Exercise classes at Lifestyle in 2007. As a RiDE and MuscleXpress instructor, I get a huge thrill out of motivating others to work to their potential in order to achieve their goals. It is always great to see a member walk into the class for the first time and walk away from the class with a smile on their face. I have made many friends at Lifestyle and believe this is through the fun environment that the Group Exercise classes create. Away from the gym, I enjoy spending time with my family, socialising with friends, and spending time riding my off-road motorbike.

Alan Tetevano – RiDE, BoxFit and MuscleXpress Instructor

Al started instructing for Lifestyle in 2005. He’s a fun, relaxed, and happy guy who loves to put a smile on the face of everyone he meets.

Winner of Lifestyle’s ‘Instructor Idol’ 2009

Bex (Rebecca) Thomson – ThaiFit Instructor

I have been working at Lifestyle since 2000. I have been involved in all areas of gym life, as a Fitness Consultant, Results Based Trainer, Receptionist, and Group Exercise Instructor. I currently work part time across both gyms teaching ThaiFit, whilst studying in my last year of nursing. I love teaching all classes and my main aim is to see a smile on the members’ faces!

Lois Tuarau – MuscleXpress and Step Instructor

Hi, my name’s Lois. I’ve been a Group Fitness Instructor at Lifestyle since the gym first opened in 1989… and I have the grey hairs to prove it!! I’ve taught a wide variety of classes over the past 20 years, but my all-time favourite has to be the MuscleXpress class. This class is the ‘ultimate workout’ in the shortest time possible. I love it! It is so satisfying to see gym members achieve their goals and improve their fitness over the months. You can find me working out in the gym 5-6 mornings a week and generally ‘rarking up’ the early morning RiDE classes from the back row most weeks!

Te Nguha (Tu) Unahi

I completed Lifestyle’s Instructor Academy in 2008. It took me some time to see the light – I started instructing in 2009. My passion for instructing has never been as strong. I have a passion for fitness and love watching people’s confidence grow and seeing them achieve their fitness goals.

Outside of the gym, I work in catering which consumes most of my time. I’m also looking at returning to study to try my hand at functions and events management. I enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Johanna Winter – Zumba® and EverActive Instructor

I have been instructing at Lifestyle since completing the Lifestyle Group Exercise Academy in 2007. I am the Customer Service Manager in Upper Hutt. I love the atmosphere and energy at Lifestyle – it’s easy to become so passionate about your work. Especially instructing, seeing the joy and happiness on the members’ faces! I have an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts, which focused on Contemporary, Samoan, Kapa Haka, and Cook Island dance. This has taken me around the world performing at different festivals. So coming from that to instructing has been an exciting time, taking on different challenges. Instructing has been a wonderful progression from dancing. I am also the proud Mum of two amazing boys, Leroy and Angelo, who obviously keep me busy. I look forward to seeing you in my classes, come and say hello!

Winner of Lifestyle’s ‘Instructor Idol’ 2010