Contrast Fitness

After several years of study and neglecting my fitness, I decided it was time to put my health first. A year ago, I wanted to start lifting to complement my other activities (I dance and climb recreationally), but was always too scared to do it by myself. Historically, I also had a complex and unhealthy relationship with exercise. So, I was on the search for a trainer who could teach me how to lift with proper technique, and train consistently with.I first met Sam after stumbling into a circuit class run by the local climbing gym. He was running the class and had a superpower that got me coming back. His balanced approach to exercise created an accessible and welcoming training environment. After a few weeks, I reached out to book a consult, and we went from there.Since training with Sam, not only have I been empowered to lift heavily and safely, but I have also become a more balanced dancer and stronger climber. He also helped me rediscovered the joy of movement, and I now have a greater appreciation for my body, and what it can do - beyond the number on a scale or how it looks.There aren't many people I'd wake up at 6am to exercise for, but somehow Sam is on that list. He is an excellent communicator and will work WITH you to find lifting cues that work FOR YOU. And I am not exaggerating when I say that he's one of the most supportive people I have met.At the end of the day, training was a way of putting myself first. Without it, I would likely be making plenty of false starts at the gym (like previous years). Instead, I have been training consistently for approximately a year, hitting my fitness goals along the way and recreating a healthier relationship with exercise.

I had been climbing for awhile and felt like I was not progressing. I thought that having a trainer would help me understand what my weaknesses were, how I can improve in my climbing but also how to train in a safe way as I had never trained before.Sam was highly recommended by the climbing gym I regularly visited. When we had our initial consultation, it was great to hear that he was also a climber so he really understood what I was trying to achieve.He helped me set some goals to work towards such as being able to do a pull up. Am happy to say I can now do pull ups and see continuous improvements in terms of my strength and endurance.Sam is a trainer who works within your limits and understands how important it is to look after the health and condition of your body over exercising for the sake of exercising. He often adjusts weights or intensity of training when I have niggling pains or injuries. Sam also gives us additional tips and training which are focused on injury prevention like stretches and targeted muscle conditioning.Working with Sam is a great investment for what we get out of the training which is not only achieving fitness goals but also a better understanding of how my body works which is invaluable information for the future.

Best personal trainer around Sydney!

Have been training with Sam for over a year and my climbing strength has significantly improved. I used to have the odd shoulder injury and I haven't had any issues since I started training with Sam.He is happy to make adjustments to training depending on your goals and suggests things outside of training that will help you achieve goals.

I was looking for a trainer at the start of 2019 to help kickstart my journey into calisthenics and improve my rock climbing where I had goals of a handstand, muscle up, front lever etc. Sam stood out from the rest after seeing how hard and calculated he trained himself and others in the gym; he seemed to be incredibly knowledgeable and meticulous to break down big goals into achievable exercises. After only a few months of training, I've already seen huge progress in all my goals; I can just about handstand, smash muscle ups, and am working through milestones to nail front levers and one arm pull ups! Apart from the progress, Sam is easy to get along with and very professional in his work to ensure that you understand what exercises you are doing and why you are doing them down to a physiological level - You don't come out stronger, but also smarter! The great experience I've had with Sam from the world class knowledge and newfound strength received is definitely worth the cost of training; honestly it's invaluable and will stick with me throughout my training life!

I started training with Sam over 18 months ago because I was looking to bring some variety into my training, after finding myself in a bit of a lull. I loved the fact that Sam is a rock climber, which meant we could target my training to not only improving my all round strength and fitness, but to being on the rock as well. I noticed an improvement within weeks, with the added bonus of finding new and fulfilling ways to train. Sam has been a delight to work with, and is always ready to pivot the approach if needed - which most certainly was when I fell pregnant 8 months ago! I am still training weekly with Sam, adapting our approach to keep bub and I safe, all the while maintaining a foundation of fitness that I wouldn’t have had without Sam’s guidance and encouragement. Personal training with Sam is a permanent part of my weekly budget; the health benefits, both physical and mental, are profound. He’s a champion - I highly recommend him to anyone wanting to push their own boundaries.

I initially started to train with Sam to improve my climbing but also with a focus on my general wealth and weight.My main goal was to get stronger to help with my climbing and to do so we set some milestones that we test regularly to measure my improvement.I choose Sam for two reasons; He was training at the gym where I climb and he is a climber himself, therefore, I knew he would be able to give the best training to reinforce my weaknesses.For me, what sets him apart from other trainers is his knowledge in sport science - Sam is undergoing a Ph.D. in sport science - and his pedagogical approach to his training.My fitness drastically improved since I started to work with Sam, I am stronger, fitter, and also more inclined to train more, even without him.I also lost weight as we analyzed my diet and adjusted it in a clever and approachable way.And this clever and approachable way is, I would say, Sam's trademark. He is never pushy during his training but he is able to get the best of you. He won't ever yell at you like some trainers can do but he can motivate you by his explanations and his understanding of your needs.His exercises always seem adapted to your need and, I could personally feel direct improvement in my climbing.And he is never sick or misses a session :)In addition to the point mentioned above, Sam always goes beyond what you expect. He often stays after our sessions to chat and monitor our progress and give us great advice.I can feel that he prepare his session carefully and he always sends us emails with our exercises for us to repeat our workout by ourselves.And it isn't rare for him to climb with us and give us some personal insights which is always so much appreciated.

I have been training with Sam Higham for 18 months during these Covid-affected times. We have trained in the gym, at the park and via zoom through lockdowns, hotel quarantines, and overseas travel. At all times, Sam has been very patient, accommodating and caring. He also is a fantastic PT who approaches every session prepared, flexible and encouraging. Sam meets you where you are, sets realistic goals and gently extends you to achieve more than you thought possible. He has a great depth of knowledge regarding physiology and diet and a very personable manner to communicate with his clients. I have attained renewed strength, flexibility and physical confidence to keep up with my grandchildren and enjoy a more active retirement. I couldn’t recommend Sam more highly.

Could not recommend Sam highly enough!I had been climbing for a couple of months and felt like I hit a plateau point where I required some more guidance/training.I was always hesitant about the idea of getting a personal trainer but I thought I'd give Sam's services a try because of the free consultation. I chose Sam as not only was he an avid climber and loved sports as much as I did, but was also very knowledgeable about exercise physiology.He was able to help me come up with some goals and created a tailored plan that suits me perfectly and is constantly evolving as I progress. I wanted to improve my calisthenics skills (one arm pull ups, front levers, handstands, etc.) and have progressed significantly more over the last few months than I ever did by myself for years!Just like with any fitness goals, there were always ups and downs during the process, and Sam was a very motivational and friendly voice that helped me push myself further and restrain from constantly wanting to quit all those goals I had set for myself.Great money spent compared to all my previous gym memberships/cross fit classes.

I would have fallen in a screaming heap long ago if it wasn't for Sam.I wanted to improve my strength as and was mostly self-taught with regard to exercise. At the beginning Sam was a guide about simple things, like gym etiquette and how to use equipment in the gym safely. My job involves manual handling at times with various loads, and I’m a keen skier. In both situations you have to train outside of the actual activity.My goal was focussed on doing Nordic Hamstring curls. achieving double body weight squad and deadlift. I managed to achieve these, but holding onto that level of fitness is just as challenging, which leads to leads to my next point.Sam is a pretty knowledgeable guy and with his keen eye, he will respect your limitations. It’s important for a good trainer to watch what’s happening, encourage you to push harder when you’re slacking and advise you to relent if you’re in danger of overtraining or trying to push too hard because you want it so bad you ignore your fatigue.Without Sam’s help, I wouldn't have achieved double body weight squats, deadlifts or Nordic curls. My adherence to training has improved, I don’t cop out with hot weather, when I feel slightly tired, have a tension headache or my allergies block up my head. Before COVID-19, I learned through working with Sam to not let a simple head cold or sinusitis stop a session. If I had to isolate, I’ve been taught programs that I could do at home with bodyweight.I've observed and admired Sam’s ability to work with many clients from all walks of life. As someone who requires people skills for work, I’m in envy with his ability to be sociable and make other laugh.I would not have got to where I am right now without Sam’s second perspective, expertise and knowledge base.I was already attending gyms frequently, but having someone there to meet and helped with accountability. A good trainer will give a variety to keep things interesting and present new challenges to play with. Life is dynamic, and it helps to have someone to adjusts programs and give on the spot advice; At the moment we’re working on my breath holding during exercises.