Welcome to the STS Fitness Blog

Conor Graham

This post is to let you know who I am and how you can see more of what i have to say.

My name is Conor Graham and I am the Head Fitness Coach at STS Fitness Ltd.

I first started my personal training business, Sports Training Systems at the ripe old age of 19 in Les Mills, Wellington, NZ, July 2001. Visit my Professional Profile on Linked In or the About Us Page on our website.

Like many PT's my aim has always been to help as many people become as enthusiastic towards their fitness as i have always been towards mine. My method of converting clients has, however always been a little different.

I believe there is a sport out there for everyone, regardless of what level of fitness and that by embracing a sport anyone can become a fitness enthusiast. This underpins the motivations I aim to install in those I help.

Many clients I help are already fitness enthusiasts so my job is to help them get as much success and satisfaction as possible in their chosen sport or activity so they may inspire others.

I provide Fitness Programme Memberships and Coaching in:

• Gym Training
• Running
• Team Sports Fitness
• Those Getting Back to Fitness

I have done this with teams, groups and individuals such as:

• The Wellington Phoenix Football Club
• The Wellington Rugby Referees Association
• Masters Swimming World Record Holder, Kirsten Cameron
• and many other busy New Zealanders. 

Visit our Testimonials Page for written reviews on our service.

My personal fitness background in approximate chronological order and a fair bit of overlap:

1. Kiwi Cricket - Soon got bored of fielding
2. Softball - Played to Wellington Under 13 representative level
3. Soccer - Played to Regional League Level in U12s, haphazardly till 2010
4. Badminton - Up to Regional Representation till 15years
5. Water Polo - Representing NZ at U15 and Schoolboy level
6. Triathlon - Lots of Sprint and Standard Distance Racing Until 2011 Taupo Half Ironman
7. Cycling - Highlight finding myself on Bevan Docherty's back wheel, chasing a breakaway into Taupo for a finish time of 4:33

My Gym Training started at 15, which is also when i decided i was going to give up on becoming a Pro Athlete in favour of becoming a Fitness Professional. There was a lot of backyard Rugby/League, Playground Basketball, Fill-in Swimming Meets and muck around versions of other sports all but totally self coached.

This wide range of sporting experience has allowed me to think outside the square with a range of sports clients in sports such as:

• Kayaking
• Touch Rugby
• Hockey
• and more

My current interests include:

• Hanging out with my Loving Wife and Adorable Son
• Watching and Playing any Sport 
• Catching up with Friends 
• Building STS - My other baby, I love working in and on STS
• Building GymCalc.com

As well as my Linked In Profile, you can find me on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• and Google Plus

Well I hope that gives you a basic rundown on me, but feel free to ask more questions and I'll do my best to answer.

Regards,

Conor Graham
07580481454
conor@stsfitness.com
www.stsfitness.com

A Fitness Philosophy to Change Your Life
-from the STS Fitness and Nutrition Website: www.sts.co.nz


Imagine being so excited about exercise that it's all you could think about...

What would that do for your Wellbeing?

What would that do for your Body?

What would that do for your Life?


Finding Success in Fitness

We were not all born into exercise but every one of us has the ability to love it. All we need is success.

Success is what motivates us to do anything so if we want to improve our fitness then we need to feel like we've succeeded each time we put some effort into it.

The number one reason people give up when they come back to fitness is a lack of success in losing weight.

Weight Loss as a Motivation to Exercise

It's human nature to want constant rewards for anything we dedicate ourselves to but many of us are dedicating our lives to losing weight. Regardless of how dedicated we are, losing weight does not provide success regularly enough to keep us motivated.

Even if we do achieve early success, our constant need for more deems that unless we continue, we will soon get down on ourselves and do something which makes us feel better. For a lot of weight loss enthusiasts that something is often destructive to our weight loss pursuit. We all know how to gain weight...

Next thing we know we've actually lost ground and feel less motivated than before we started.

Training for Sport as a Motivation to Exercise

Sport has a way of getting us hooked to exercise. If some initial interest is fostered properly it can quickly turn into a whole new way of life.

Start with the right level of abilities and you’ll receive positive feedback from a range of people. Each time you get feedback it’ll make you enjoy your new form of exercise that much more and strengthen your resolve to keep it up.

Better yet you can see improvements in what you can do within just one training. Take note of where you started and you’ll be amazed by just how much you’ve improved every few weeks.

Contrast this with the motivation you get for losing weight:

· No one will notice you’ve lost weight until it is significant.
· The same person, such as a trainer or spouse, telling you that you’re looking great only motivates you so long before you realise they’re just being nice.
· You won’t look different in the mirror for at least 2months.
· Your clothes won’t fit better for at least 2months unless you do something radical and probably unsustainable.

Becoming an Athlete

People who consider themselves athletes do not need to be fit, thin, muscular or even "athletic". They simply think of themselves as an athlete.

The word "Athlete" can be substituted for more specific terms such as a Runner, Swimmer, Footballer, Weight Lifter, Dancer or any other adjective which involves fitness.

By thinking of yourself as an athlete you'll gain your motivation from every new skill you learn. Every time you become even remotely more effective in doing what you do you'll feel the success and increase your motivation.

Now you may be thinking: "Learning a new skill won't make me lose weight. I don't even like sports."

Learning the skills of whatever new activity you choose will increase your ability to do what you do.

Being able to do anything better than before increases the chances we'll keep doing it.

If the activity you choose requires you to use energy then it's going to help you lose weight.

Find Your Inner Athlete Now!