You know how it goes in Kuwait; new places – be they restaurants, shops, malls, health clubs – open to much fanfare, boasting how they are doing things differently, bringing something new, something unique that we haven’t seen before in Kuwait. There’s a buzz and it’s the go-to place for a few weeks until the novelty wears off, standards can slip and the place just blends in with rest.
There are exceptions to the rule of course, and for us at bazaar Inspire Pure Fitness is a shining example of such a place. Just over a year since they opened their doors to offer Kuwait a results based training facility not seen before in Kuwait and they are showing no signs of waning. Not only have they kept the same standards as the day they opened – the place still looks brand new – they have improved their facilities, learning as they go and adapting to members’ needs.
But perhaps the most important retention and improvement at Inspire is the personal trainers. In the beginning they stated that their PTs gave Inspire its soul and without them they would be the same as everyone else. As a testament to the quality of the place those original PTs are still there and thriving in their results based training, seeing clients reach goals and then smash them, be they weight loss, strength gain, or just all-round general well-being. These trainers, from all over the world, are fitness professionals of the highest standard who care deeply about the results their clients achieve. If the client is succeeding then so is the trainer and they want to succeed just as much as you do.
In the one short year since opening they have made improvements across the board where other places may have just been happy with staying where they were. From small things such as adding climbing ropes for practicing your ascents to building a custom multi-purpose rig outside for anything from pull-ups to back squats, adding a Pilates Reformer, doubling the number of yoga classes on offer, and offering the very latest Les Mills concept, GRIT, a gruelling half hour of high intensity workout which will certainly test your mettle.
Building on the already impressive roster of trainers, they have brought in a bodyweight workout and Muay Thai master over from France, and in the form of a Crossfit athlete, the fittest guy in New Zealand. 2013 will see the arrival of specialist Crossfit equipment to go along with their certified Crossfit affiliation. There will be three new PTs arriving in the next three months who specialize in everything from MMA training, to Crossfit and Poliquin strength training! So whatever your goals – even if you’re not sure of them yourself yet – Inspire will help you define them, reach them, and then surpass them.
If the gains made by Inspire in 2012 are any indication, then 2013 will see them smashing their goals too. They enjoy inspiring here and through innovation and dedication to a healthy lifestyle, they are leading by example of what we are truly capable of.
Inspire is on the Bida’a Strip next to the Al Remal Hotel & Resort. For more information visit www.inspirekw.com or call 2226 3151. You can also be inspired via twitter @InspireQ8.
Photographs courtesy of Khalid Al Saleh.
Introducing the heart and soul of Inspire – the Personal Trainers
Name: Michael Cantelon
Training style: Strength and athletic conditioning
Favourite exercise: Plyometrics
Least favourite exercise:
Long-distance running
Best thing about Kuwait: Sunshine
Words of inspiration:
“The iron never lies” – Henry Rollins
Name: Julie Caradec
Training style: Crossfit, Les Mills group fitness
Favourite exercise: Handstand push-ups
Least favourite exercise: Not being successful in one exercise or weight
Best thing about Kuwait: Love the easy lifestyle and how open the people can be. I have met beautiful people and friends
Words of inspiration: Respect, behave; believe in yourself and act with a positive attitude to drive you to success in your life
Name: Craig Drennan
Training style: Crossfit, Poliquin
Favourite exercise:
Squat clean (Olympic lifting)
Least favourite exercise:
Steady state aerobic exercise
Best thing about Kuwait: Imad Hayat
Words of inspiration:
What doesn’t make you stronger kills you!
Name: Alana Karehana
Training style: Circuit style metabolic training, rehabilitation, post-natal, weight loss
Favourite exercise: Swiss ball jack-knife with push-up
Least favourite exercise: Easily answered; burpees!
Best thing about Kuwait: Having the opportunity to work at Inspire and change lives on a daily basis
Words of inspiration: Aim high, dream big. Never underestimate the power of setting goals; it will amaze you when you achieve them
Name: Jamie Karehana
Training style: Corrective and functional exercise
Favourite exercise: Clap push-up
Least favourite exercise: Sit-ups
Best thing about Kuwait: Our members
Words of inspiration: It’s not about being the fittest or strongest but refusing to fail
Name: Kamel Khazani
Training style: Thai boxing, karate, body weight training
Favourite exercise: Kicks
Least favourite exercise: Nothing
Best thing about Kuwait: Great people, great weather
Words of inspiration: No pain no gain
Name: Nathan McKendrick
Training style: Functional/martial Arts
Favourite exercise: Group fitness
Least favourite exercise: Pull-ups
Best thing about Kuwait: People and summer!
Words of inspiration: Work hard play hard! Do whatever it takes to be happy and become a better you
Name: Thomas Rapana
Training style: Lifestyle/Wellbeing
Favourite exercise: Martial arts and sports based
Least favourite exercise: Not applicable 😉
Best thing about Kuwait: The people
Words of inspiration: The person who has the greatest influence on your health and physical wellbeing is YOU
Name: Nicole Ritchie
Training style: Pilates, rehabilitation, endurance, balance and flexibility
Favourite exercise: Headstand hold
Least favourite exercise: As clichéd as it sounds, not exercising…does that count?
Best thing about Kuwait: Easily the people I meet. They teach me so much which in turn helps me grow not only as person but also a trainer
Words of inspiration: Be yourself and be real…it’s as easy as that!!!
Name: Ben Thompson (Speedy)
Training style: Crossfit
Favourite exercise: Handstand walk
Least favourite exercise: Anything on a machine
Best thing about Kuwait: The people
Words of inspiration: Train your weaknesses and keep your strengths, strengths
Name: Stan Velikov
Training style: Results based, intense
Favourite exercise: Sprints
Least favourite exercise: Walking
Best thing about Kuwait: Friends, peaceful life, less crime, nobody seems in a hurry (except on the road!)
Words of inspiration: Be curious
