When qualified personal trainer Lisa Conwell converted her garage into a gym soon after Covid, the tools and motorbikes had to go — so she could claim an adequate workspace for the client base she wanted to build.
Now five years on, her studio gym with a difference is open from seven most mornings, and as early as six. This prior bodybuilder brings her expertise to a mainly mature local clientele wanting regular one-on-one sessions to build strength, or whether it be to help fix a frozen shoulder, weak knees or simply to aid recovery after surgery related trauma.
Lisa, now 55, says her own training is not about being skinny or pumping iron for the “sculpted” body shape that wins competitions any more: it’s about working on strength, mobility and flexibility to help us as we age.
“It’s all about feeling good about ourselves,” she insists. No surprise then that Lisa’s studio gym — or office as she calls it, preaching on a padded bench to do her paperwork — is simply called ‘The Good Space’.
Lined and carpeted with large wall-sized mirrors, this one–time garage sports an impressive array of equipment, from the expected spin bikes and rowing machine, Swiss balls, to the more complicated leg extension and leg curl machine for quads and hamstrings. A Rip60 for body-weighted strength and stability training. Plus a formidable-looking Force G20 strength trainer that completes a total-body workout.
Lisa demonstrates the G20s versatility: A fixed bar for bench and shoulder presses which build upper body muscle mass, to squats for the lower body. Padded straps for enhanced grip when doing dead lifts and barbell rows — helpful exercises, Lisa explains, when grip strength starts to fade as we age.
Lisa loves what she does, citing fitness and wellbeing as “a passion I’ve had ever since I can remember”.
She started out somewhat reluctantly at aged 14 following her Mother to the gym at Mt Maunganui. By the age of 16 she became hooked and got her weightlifting belt which was used for back support when squatting and lifting up to 100 kilos.
“I can still fit it”, she tells the Chronicle proudly.
Lisa went on to get a degree in fitness and nutrition, then worked in Auckland gyms with fitness pioneer and legendary weightlifter Don Oliver. She remembers All Blacks coming in, and helping them with their training sessions and stretching for muscle fatigue at the end of a workout.
“Oh my gosh, their flexibility was like a brick!” she laughs.
It was early 2000s when this 5’2” human dynamite honed her power lifting and bodybuilding skills, winning trophies — on display at ‘The Good Space’ — in various world competitions. Back in Auckland she worked with physio, opened and operated private gyms, also travelling and working overseas with various “bigwigs” about whom she will divulge no secrets.
One local client happy to sing her praises, is renowned potter Tony Sly, who’s based at the wharf in Raglan and is an original client, among a couple more, from when she set up business in Smith Street five years ago.
Tony reckons that at 65 he’s “the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been” — thanks to Lisa‘s personalised approach, good technique and the year–round workouts in what he calls a private sanctuary.
Lisa’s focus these days is far away from the body-sculpting of old: now it’s more on mindfulness, strength, flexibility and mental health. Respecting the body as it ages – “that’s my niche”, she says.
Working with women through menopause is paramount, for instance, as their bodies change and respond differently. Helping mature clients become fitter and stronger for leisure time activities is an important part of her work.
“I do challenge clients when necessary”, Lisa admits, citing clients in their 70s being able to lift far more weight after regular workouts. “They think they can’t do it, but I only encourage what I know they can do safely”.
Positivity is a powerful tool at ‘The Good Space’.
