Meet Annabelle Ronnfeldt

Hi, I’m Annabelle, a 22 year old fitness enthusiast living in Brisbane, Queensland. I grew up in Toowoomba before moving down to Brisbane to study Chiropractic at University. A couple years into my degree, I ventured into the gym and got hooked. I loved the idea of working on myself not only to get stronger but for my mental health as well. I started seeing results and wanted to share my passion with others to become the best version of themselves through becoming a coach myself. I love spending my down time with friends, watching my favourite series on Netflix and relaxing at the beach.

What inspired you to become a personal trainer, and how long have you been in the profession?

I have always grown up with a sporting background having played a lot of competitive sport, so I always knew I wanted to stay in an active environment with my career. Initially, I ventured into the clinical aspect, studying a degree in Chiropractic. However, it was during this degree, I fell in love with training and helping others become the healthiest, strongest version of themselves. I have now been in the industry for nearly 3 years.

What motivates you to maintain your own fitness routine, and how do you stay committed to your goals?

I would love to say that I’m motivated 24/7, but unfortunately we all have those days where we aren’t and for me, it comes down to discipline and routine. I choose to move my body each day and fuel it properly as I know how amazing it makes me feel, both physically and mentally.

What advice do you have for clients who may be struggling with motivation or feeling discouraged, and how do you help them adjust their mindset and stay on track?

I 100% understand lacking motivation as I too struggle with this sometimes! I find the easiest way to combat this is to start focusing on performance based goals rather than physical ones. This can be anything from doing 1 more Rep, a heavier weight or just pushing that little bit further than you did last time. Once you’re able to detach from the physical aspect of it, you will start to feel a lot more accomplished and empowered!

What is your approach to self-care and stress management, and how do you prioritize these practices in your own life?

There are a couple of things I like to integrate into my routine that help me prioritise this. Number 1, is my “me time” when I exercise. Whether that is at the gym, on a walk or run. I try my best to stay off my phone and use this hour as a time I can truly switch off. I know how important self-care is in a routine so I also like to include a sauna, full body massage and reading throughout my week as well.

What are some of the psychological benefits of regular exercise, and how have you seen these benefits manifest in your clients?

There are an array of psychological benefits of regular exercise such as improved mood, reduced stress and increase in energy. These have been made abundant in my clients as most work long hours, are mothers or some even finishing a night shift. Whenever they step foot in the gym, they are so excited to have their time to themselves to step away from their busy life and not have to think. I have seen many clients come in after having a rough day and leave with a smile on their face which is all I could ask for.

What do you think the benefits are of having a workout buddy?

I love the idea of having a workout buddy! By having someone to keep you accountable to move your body each day is a great source of extrinsic motivation. If you are a beginner, it is also a great way to make you feel more confident and comfortable in a new environment or when starting a new routine.

Do you have any advice for individuals who are just starting a fitness journey?

• Find a form of exercise that works for you. Just because something works for someone else, if that’s not something you enjoy, you don’t have to do that too.
• Create small, achievable goals that you will be able to maintain. This can look different to everyone. Whether that’s exercising 3 times per week or hitting your step goal each day. Just remember to make it attainable. 
• If in the gym, go in with a plan. Picture in your mind where in the gym you will be, plan what equipment you're going to use so you don't find yourself wondering around & getting stressed.
• If you're scared of not knowing what to do/doing it wrong, head into a group class or a PT session! The trainers should make you feel comfortable and help you on form when you need it
• Find a workout buddy! This will make you more accountable to stay on track with your goals and can be a good way of making it more enjoyable. 

How do you customize workouts to meet the specific needs and goals of your clients?

It’s important to understand the client first by getting information on their past history of training, injuries, their goals etc. From there, we can start to compile a workout/program that is client specific. 

What is your approach to nutrition, and how do you educate clients on healthy eating habits?

My approach to nutrition is by following the 80/20 rule. 80% whole, nutritious dense foods and 20% “food for the soul”. I never rule out any food group as I believe it’s important to still indulge in the foods you love (within reason). I think it’s important to do this so we don’t create any negative connotations with certain foods.

Can you share an example of a success story from a client you have worked with, and how their life changed as a result of working with a personal trainer?

I have been fortunate enough to work with a lot of young girls where body image and social media is extremely prevalent. It has been incredible to see them change their mindset in regards to food and learning to fuel their body properly. On top of this, we have been able to debunk the idea of becoming bulky by lifting weight and they have come to absolutely love lifting heavy! The difference in their confidence levels from before they started has been inspiring to watch.