CGPT Owner & Trainer: Andrea Baylis

Meet Andrea: Owner and Personal Trainer at Chris’ Gym

 

Andrea isn’t just the owner of Chris’ Gym; she’s also a personal trainer with a deep commitment to helping clients achieve their best. Her journey to fitness didn’t follow a typical path, and her approach to training reflects her rich background and her dedication to seeing her clients succeed. Known for her empathetic nature, strength-focused workouts, and unique ability to read people, Andrea has created a space where clients feel supported and motivated to push their limits. Here’s a closer look at Andrea’s story, her training style, and the impact she’s had on countless lives at Chris’ Gym.

 

From Remote Work to Hands-On Coaching

 

Andrea’s journey to becoming a personal trainer started with a career far removed from fitness. After moving to Melbourne in 2008 and working remotely, she felt a disconnect. “I realised I needed to be in a role where I could make a small difference in people’s lives,” Andrea recalls. She had always been able to read people well, and her empathetic nature drew her toward a career where she could work hands-on with clients, helping them navigate life’s physical and emotional challenges. Personal training became the perfect fit, allowing Andrea to combine her passion for fitness with her desire to support others.

 

Since then, Andrea has grown Chris’ Gym into a welcoming, results-driven community. Her approach is holistic; she understands that physical health is closely tied to mental well-being, and her sessions reflect that understanding. Her focus is not only on helping clients meet their fitness goals but also on empowering them to feel confident and strong.

 

Watching Clients Grow Through Life’s Stages

 

For Andrea, the most rewarding part of her career has been watching clients progress through different stages of life. “I’ve had the privilege of supporting clients from before relationships, through pregnancies, and beyond,” she shares. Andrea’s role extends beyond the gym; she’s there to help clients stay healthy and balanced through life’s major transitions. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey and to help them stay grounded and strong.”

 

Andrea takes great pride in helping clients, especially women, discover their strength. Her favourite transformations are those where clients exceed their own expectations. “I’ve seen so many women who doubted their ability to do a push-up or thought they’d never be strong enough to lift weights smash their goals and go beyond what they thought possible,” Andrea says. Witnessing these breakthroughs keeps her inspired and passionate about her work.

 

Smart, Balanced, and Personalised Training Style

 

Andrea describes her training style as “Balanced, Smart, and Personalised.” She doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, Andrea takes the time to understand each client’s unique needs and goals. Her ability to read people allows her to tailor her programs to fit not only their physical goals but also their emotional and mental state. “Sometimes, due to life stresses, a program needs to be adapted,” Andrea explains. This flexibility ensures her clients stay motivated and feel supported, even during challenging times.

 

Andrea’s sessions are designed to be challenging yet achievable, with a strong emphasis on balance and smart programming. She empowers clients by creating workouts that feel tailored to their needs, helping them make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Andrea’s clients know that she’s always there to guide them, whether they’re pushing through a tough workout or adjusting to life’s demands.

 

The Power of Strength Training for Women

 

One of Andrea’s favourite workouts to teach is upper body strength training, particularly for women. “Upper body strength is so empowering for women once they get over the idea that they can’t do it,” Andrea shares. Many women come into the gym with misconceptions about what they’re capable of, but Andrea’s encouragement and expertise help them break through those mental barriers.

 

Andrea believes that strength training isn’t just about physical benefits; it’s about building confidence and resilience. By helping women tap into their inner strength, she shows them that they are capable of more than they ever thought possible. This empowerment goes beyond the gym, giving her clients a sense of confidence that carries into all areas of their lives.

 

Finding Each Client’s “Why”

 

Andrea’s success as a trainer comes from her dedication to understanding each client’s personal motivation. “It’s important to work out each client’s ‘why’ and then work with them on it,” she explains. By connecting with clients on a personal level, Andrea ensures they feel truly invested in their fitness journey. She believes that finding that deeper motivation helps clients stay committed, even when challenges arise.

 

Andrea’s empathetic approach creates a supportive environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their goals, fears, and dreams. Her clients know that Andrea is there to support them every step of the way, and that sense of partnership makes a significant difference in their success.

 

The Secret Ingredient: Sleep

 

One piece of advice Andrea gives to every client is the importance of quality sleep. “Sleep is the secret sauce to weight loss and recovery,” she says. Andrea emphasises that it’s not just about the quantity of sleep but the quality. Many people underestimate the role that rest plays in their fitness progress, and Andrea makes sure her clients understand that without proper recovery, they won’t reach their full potential.

 

Andrea’s holistic approach means she looks at every aspect of a client’s lifestyle, including sleep, stress, and nutrition, to ensure they’re on the right path. By educating clients about the importance of rest, she helps them make sustainable changes that support their overall health and fitness goals.

 

Andrea’s Life Outside the Gym

 

When Andrea isn’t training clients, she stays active herself, working out four to five times a week. “People think I’m crazy, but I find that nothing is ever as bad after a workout,” she says. For Andrea, fitness is a way to relieve stress and recharge. She’s also a fan of long walks while listening to true crime podcasts and occasionally hops on a spin bike, drawing from her past experience as a cyclist.

 

One of Andrea’s hidden talents is her love for wine collecting. She holds a wine certification from New Zealand and has built an impressive collection over the years. Though she doesn’t drink much of it, Andrea finds joy in curating her collection - a unique hobby that has surprised many of her clients over the years. She’s also an avid reader and enjoys diving into a good book whenever she has time.

 

Join Andrea at Chris’ Gym

 

Andrea’s dedication to her clients and her holistic approach to fitness make her a unique and inspiring trainer. As the owner of Chris’ Gym, she’s built a space where people of all fitness levels feel welcome, supported, and motivated to reach their goals. With a focus on personalised training, a passion for empowering women through strength, and a genuine commitment to her clients’ well-being, Andrea brings out the best in everyone who walks through the doors.

 

Ready to take the next step in your fitness journey? Join Andrea at Chris’ Gym and discover a training experience that’s smart, balanced, and tailored just for you. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve your health, or find a supportive fitness community, Andrea and the team at Chris’ Gym are here to help you succeed.



The Overlooked Link Between Strength Training and Brain Performance

March 20, 2026
The Overlooked Link Between Strength Training and Brain Performance If you’re someone who pays attention to how you think, not just how you look, you’ve probably already come across the usual advice. Sleep matters. Nutrition matters. Stress management matters. All true. But there’s one variable that is consistently underestimated, even among people who are otherwise highly informed: Strength training. Not as a general health tool. Not as something you “should probably do.” But as a direct contributor to how your brain performs, both now and over time. The Brain Is Not Separate From the Body It’s easy to think of cognitive performance as something that exists independently of physical health. Focus, memory, decision-making, processing speed. These feel like mental domains. But physiologically, they’re deeply connected. The brain relies on: · Blood flow · Oxygen delivery · Glucose regulation · Neurochemical signalling All of which are influenced by physical activity. A large meta-analysis published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews found that regular exercise significantly improves executive function, attention, and processing speed across a wide range of populations (Mandolesi et al. 2018). This isn’t a marginal effect. It’s measurable, repeatable, and increasingly well understood. Strength Training vs “General Exercise” When people think about exercise and brain health, they often default to cardio. Running. Walking. Cycling. And while aerobic exercise does play a role, strength training appears to offer distinct and, in some cases, additional benefits. A systematic review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that resistance training is associated with improvements in cognitive function, particularly in areas related to executive control and working memory (Liu-Ambrose et al. 2010). More recent research has reinforced this, showing that strength training can improve both cognitive performance and functional brain plasticity in adults across different age groups (Northey et al. 2018). This is where the conversation around exercise for cognitive function becomes more specific. Not all exercise produces the same neurological response. What’s Actually Happening in the Brain This is where things become more interesting. Strength training doesn’t just “improve health.” It changes the brain at a biological level. One of the key mechanisms involved is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that supports: · Neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganise) · Learning and memory · The survival of existing neurons Exercise, including resistance training, has been shown to increase BDNF levels, creating an environment that supports cognitive function and long-term brain health (Phillips 2017). There are also effects on: · Insulin sensitivity (which impacts brain energy metabolism) · Inflammation (linked to cognitive decline) · Vascular health (affecting blood flow to the brain) Taken together, these changes create a more resilient and efficient system. Cognitive Performance in the Short Term The long-term benefits are compelling, but the short-term effects are just as relevant. Even a single session of resistance training has been shown to improve attention and executive function immediately afterwards (Chang et al. 2012). This is something many people notice intuitively. After training, thinking feels clearer. Decisions feel easier. There’s a sense of mental sharpness that wasn’t there before. It’s not just psychological. It’s physiological. The Ageing Brain and Long-Term Protection Beyond day-to-day performance, strength training plays a role in protecting the brain over time. Cognitive decline is not inevitable, but risk increases with age. Research published in The Lancet highlights that lifestyle factors, including physical activity, are among the most significant modifiable contributors to dementia risk (Livingston et al. 2020). Resistance training, in particular, has been shown to: · Slow cognitive decline · Improve memory in older adults · Support brain structure and function A randomised controlled trial by Liu-Ambrose et al. (2010) found that strength training performed twice per week significantly improved executive function in older women over a 12-month period. This is where strength training for brain health becomes less of a theory and more of a practical intervention. Why This Is Critical for High-Performing Individuals If your work relies on thinking clearly, processing information quickly, and maintaining focus across long periods, these effects are not abstract. They are directly relevant. The question is not whether exercise is beneficial. It’s whether your current approach is sufficient to support how you want to perform. For many people, especially those in cognitively demanding roles, there is a mismatch. High mental output. Low physical input. And over time, that imbalance becomes limiting. The Problem With “Doing Nothing” (Even If Everything Else Is Dialled In) It’s possible to optimise: · Sleep · Nutrition · Supplements And still overlook training. But without a physical stimulus, the underlying systems that support cognitive performance are underdeveloped. This is particularly relevant in environments like Hawthorn, where there is a strong focus on education, professional performance, and long-term health. People are informed. They’re engaged. They’re often already investing in various aspects of wellbeing. But strength training is still frequently treated as optional. The evidence suggests otherwise. What Strength Training Actually Needs to Look Like This is where things often become unnecessarily complicated. You don’t need extreme protocols. You don’t need to train every day. What matters is: · Consistency · Progressive overload · Appropriate intensity Research indicates that as little as two to three sessions per week of structured resistance training is sufficient to produce meaningful improvements in both physical and cognitive outcomes (ACSM 2009; Grgic et al. 2018). The key word there is structured. Not random workouts. Not occasional sessions. A plan. Where CGPT Fits In For people who are already thinking about optimisation, performance, and long-term health, the challenge is rarely awareness. It’s implementation. How do you actually integrate strength training into your week in a way that is: · Efficient · Progressive · Sustainable That’s where CGPT comes in. The focus is on: · Structured strength training · Clear progression · Making training fit into a busy, cognitively demanding lifestyle It’s not about extremes. It’s about consistency and direction. A Smarter Way to Approach It If you’re already paying attention to how you think, how you perform, and how you age, this is one of the more important variables to consider. Not as an afterthought. As a foundation. We offer a free intro session at CGPT if you want to understand how this could look in practice. It’s a chance to: · Talk through your current routine · Understand where training fits in · See how a structured approach works You can read more about what to expect here: https://www.chrisgympt.com/what-to-expect-at-your-first-personal-training-session-at-cgpt-and-why-its-different-to-every-other-gym From there, you can decide what makes sense. If you’ve been exploring longevity training in Melbourne, looking into strength training benefits for mental performance, or simply trying to think more clearly and perform better over time, this is a logical next step. Ready to find out more? Email Andrea. REFERENCES American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 2009, Progression Models in Resistance Training for Healthy Adults, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Chang, YK et al. 2012, Effects of acute exercise on executive function: a study with a Tower of London Task, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Grgic, J et al. 2018, Effects of resistance training frequency on gains in muscular strength, Sports Medicine, vol. 48. Liu-Ambrose, T et al. 2010, Resistance training and executive functions, British Journal of Sports Medicine. Livingston, G et al. 2020, Dementia prevention, intervention, and care, The Lancet. Mandolesi, L et al. 2018, Effects of physical exercise on cognitive functioning and wellbeing, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Phillips, C 2017, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, depression, and physical activity, Neurobiology of Disease.

Sitting All Day Is Ruining Your Body. Here’s How to Fix It in 3 Sessions a Week.

March 15, 2026
Sitting All Day Is Ruining Your Body. Here’s How to Fix It in 3 Sessions a Week. If you work in design, marketing, content, or any kind of creative role, your day probably doesn’t look physically demanding. But it is demanding. Just not in a way most people think about. You’re making decisions constantly. Solving problems. Switching between tasks. Managing deadlines. Sitting in front of a screen for hours, often without real breaks, while your brain runs at full capacity. From the outside, it looks calm. From the inside, it’s a different story. And over time, that imbalance starts to show up - not just mentally, but physically. The Hidden Cost of Creative Work Most creative professionals don’t notice the shift straight away. It builds gradually. A bit more tightness through your back. Shoulders that sit slightly forward. Hips that feel stiff when you stand up. Energy that dips earlier in the day than it used to. Nothing dramatic. Just a slow, consistent decline in how your body feels and performs. The problem is, this isn’t just about posture. It’s about capacity. Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that adults who spend prolonged periods sitting are at increased risk of musculoskeletal issues, reduced metabolic health, and lower overall physical function (AIHW 2020). And for people working in predominantly sedentary roles, that risk compounds over time. Your Brain Is Doing the Work But Your Body Isn’t Supporting It Creative work is cognitively demanding. You’re expected to think clearly, respond quickly, and stay mentally sharp across long stretches of the day. But the physical side of that equation is often ignored. There’s a growing body of research linking physical activity to cognitive performance. A review published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews found that regular exercise improves executive function, attention, and processing speed - all critical for high-level cognitive work (Mandolesi et al. 2018). In simple terms, your brain works better when your body is trained. But if your day is spent sitting, and your training is inconsistent or non-existent, that support system isn’t there. The Posture Problem Isn’t Just About How You Sit Most people assume the issue is posture. So they try to “sit up straighter,” adjust their desk, or stretch more. Those things can help. But they don’t solve the underlying problem. Because posture is not just about positioning. It’s about strength. If your body doesn’t have the strength to hold you in a better position, no amount of awareness will fix it long term. This is why back pain from sitting is so common. Studies have shown that prolonged sitting is associated with increased lower back pain and reduced spinal stability, particularly when not offset by strength training (Hartvigsen et al. 2018). The body simply isn’t being challenged enough to maintain itself. Why Most “Fixes” Don’t Work At some point, most people try to address it. They might: · Do the occasional yoga class · Stretch between meetings · Go for a walk when they can All of which are useful. But they don’t create lasting change because they don’t address the core issue - which is that your body is underloaded. It’s not being asked to produce force. It’s not being challenged through full ranges of motion. It’s not adapting. And without adaptation, nothing improves. What Actually Changes Your Body If your work demands a high level of mental output, your training needs to support that. Not drain you further. Not add more chaos. Support it. This is where strength training becomes essential. Not as an extreme or overwhelming commitment, but as a consistent, structured input that: · Builds resilience · Improves posture through strength · Supports energy levels · Enhances cognitive performance Research published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine shows that resistance training can improve both physical function and mental wellbeing, particularly in individuals with sedentary occupations (O’Connor et al. 2010). This is not about aesthetics, it’s about capability. Why 3 Sessions a Week Is Enough One of the biggest barriers for this group is time, or more accurately, the perception of time. Creative work doesn’t follow a clean schedule. Some days are flexible, others are completely consumed. That’s why the solution needs to be simple. Three structured sessions per week is enough to: · Build strength · Improve posture · Increase energy · Support long-term health As long as those sessions are progressive and well-designed. Research consistently shows that even low-frequency resistance training can produce significant improvements in strength and muscle mass when performed consistently (Grgic et al. 2018). It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things. The Hawthorn / Richmond Reality If you’re working around Hawthorn or Richmond, this probably feels familiar. Working from home some days. Cafes on others. Studio time. Agency time. Long hours at a laptop, often in the same position for most of the day. There’s a lot of flexibility in how you work. But very little structure in how you move. And over time, that lack of structure shows up physically. Not dramatically. Just consistently. Where CGPT Fits In This is exactly the kind of environment CGPT is built for. Not high-intensity chaos. Not random workouts. Just structured, progressive strength training that fits around how you actually work. The focus is on: · Building strength that supports your body · Improving posture through capacity, not awareness · Creating a routine that is realistic and repeatable It’s not about turning your life upside down, it’s about adding something that makes everything else feel easier. For a lot of clients, the biggest shift isn’t just physical, it’s how they feel across the day: Clearer. More energised. Less fatigued. A Smarter Way to Start If you’ve been feeling the effects of sitting all day - whether that’s tightness, fatigue, or just a sense that your body isn’t keeping up with your work - you don’t need a complete overhaul. You just need to introduce the right stimulus. We offer a free intro session at CGPT , where we: Look at how you’re currently moving Understand your work setup and routine Show you how to structure training in a way that actually works It’s simple, low-pressure, and designed to give you clarity. You can read more about what to expect here: https://www.chrisgympt.com/what-to-expect-at-your-first-personal-training-session-at-cgpt-and-why-its-different-to-every-other-gym From there, you can decide what makes sense. If you’ve been searching for strength training for desk workers, a gym for office workers in Melbourne, or trying to figure out how to fix back pain from sitting, this is where the solution becomes much clearer. Not more movement. Better training. Ready to find out more? Email Andrea. REFERENCES: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2020, Physical activity and sedentary behaviour, AIHW, Canberra. Grgic, J, Schoenfeld, BJ, Orazem, J & Sabol, F 2018, Effects of resistance training frequency on gains in muscular strength, Sports Medicine, vol. 48. Hartvigsen, J et al. 2018, What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention, The Lancet. Mandolesi, L et al. 2018, Effects of physical exercise on cognitive functioning and wellbeing, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. O’Connor, PJ et al. 2010, Resistance training and mental health, Journal of Sports Science & Medicine.

Why Real Estate Agents Struggle to Stay Fit

March 10, 2026
Why Real Estate Agents Struggle to Stay Fit If you work in real estate, your schedule doesn’t look like anyone else’s. Early starts. Late finishes. Weekends that aren’t really weekends. Constant movement between listings, appraisals, client meetings, and auctions. You’re on your feet, in front of people, managing pressure, managing perception, and expected to be “on” all the time. From the outside, it looks active. But from a training perspective, it’s anything but structured. And that’s where things start to break down. Because staying fit in real estate isn’t about motivation. It’s about managing a lifestyle that doesn’t easily accommodate consistency. The Reality of the Hawthorn Real Estate Lifestyle If you’re working across Hawthorn, Camberwell or Kew, you’re operating in one of the most competitive real estate corridors in Australia. Saturday auctions. Mid-week inspections. High-value clients. Constant visibility. There’s a certain standard that comes with that environment. You’re not just selling property. You’re representing a level of professionalism, energy and presence that people notice. And whether it’s spoken or not, how you present physically plays a role in that. Not in a superficial way. In a confidence-driven way. Posture. Energy. Sharpness. The way you carry yourself across a long day. Why Staying Fit Becomes So Difficult On paper, real estate professionals should have no problem staying fit. You’re active. You’re moving. You’re not sitting at a desk all day. But activity is not the same as training. And this is where the gap sits. The biggest challenges tend to be: · Inconsistent schedules that change week to week · Long days that leave little room for structured sessions · Mental fatigue from constant client interaction · Weekends that remove the traditional “free time” most people rely on Over time, this creates a pattern. You train when you can. You stop when things get busy. You start again when things settle down. And the cycle repeats. The Pressure to “Look the Part” This is the part most people won’t say out loud, but it’s always there. Real estate is an image-driven industry. Clients are making high-value decisions. They’re paying attention to detail. They’re assessing trust, credibility and professionalism constantly. And rightly or wrongly, physical presence plays into that. Looking fit isn’t about aesthetics for the sake of it. It’s about: · Confidence · Energy · Authority · Consistency It’s about showing up in a way that reflects the level you operate at. But maintaining that without a system is where most people struggle. Why Most Fitness Approaches Don’t Work When time is limited, people default to what feels efficient. Quick classes. High-intensity sessions. Something they can squeeze in between appointments. And while that can feel productive, it rarely holds up long term. The issue isn’t effort. It’s structure. Without a clear progression model: · Strength doesn’t build · Body composition doesn’t change · Results don’t compound Research consistently shows that structured resistance training leads to significantly greater improvements in strength, lean muscle mass, and long-term metabolic health compared to unstructured or inconsistent training (Kraemer & Ratamess 2004). In other words, it’s not about how often you train. It’s about how your training is designed. Time Isn’t the Problem, Structure Is One of the biggest misconceptions in this space is that you need more time. You don’t. You need a system that works within the time you already have. Studies on time-efficient training show that even 2–3 structured resistance sessions per week can produce significant improvements in strength and body composition, provided the program is progressive and consistent (Grgic et al. 2018). That’s where most people go wrong. They try to fit training around their schedule, instead of building a structure that works with it. What Actually Works for Real Estate Professionals The approach that works isn’t complicated. But it is specific. It needs to be: · Structured · Efficient · Progressive · Repeatable That usually looks like: A consistent weekly framework Not something that changes every week, but a plan that fits around your known commitments. Strength-focused sessions Prioritising resistance training over random high-intensity workouts. Measurable progression Tracking strength, improving over time, building something tangible. Realistic expectations Understanding that consistency beats intensity, especially in a demanding schedule. This is what allows results to build, rather than reset every few weeks. How High-Performing Professionals Approach Training There’s a noticeable shift when you look at people who train consistently at a high level, regardless of how busy they are. They don’t rely on motivation. They rely on systems. Training becomes: · Scheduled, not optional · Structured, not random · Progressive, not repetitive It fits into their week the same way meetings and appointments do. And over time, that consistency compounds. Where CGPT Fits In This is exactly where CGPT works best. We work with a lot of professionals who don’t have time to waste on guesswork, inconsistency or ineffective training. The focus is simple: · Build strength · Create structure · Make training fit your schedule Sessions are efficient, targeted, and designed to move you forward. There’s no need to spend hours in the gym. No need to rely on constantly changing workouts. Just a clear plan, executed consistently. For many clients, that’s the difference between constantly starting over and finally seeing results. A Smarter Next Step If you’re working in real estate and struggling to stay consistent with training, it’s not a reflection of your discipline. It’s a reflection of your environment. And once you understand that, the solution becomes much clearer. You don’t need more time. You need a better system. We offer a free intro session at CGPT , where we: Talk through your schedule Understand what’s been working and what hasn’t Show you how to structure your training properly It’s straightforward, low-pressure, and designed to give you clarity. You can read more about what to expect here: https://www.chrisgympt.com/what-to-expect-at-your-first-personal-training-session-at-cgpt-and-why-its-different-to-every-other-gym From there, you can decide what makes sense. If you’ve been searching for personal training for busy professionals in Melbourne, or looking for a gym for real estate agents that actually works with your schedule, this is usually the point where things start to shift. And once the structure is in place, the results tend to follow. Ready to find out more? Email Andrea REFERENCES Grgic, J, Schoenfeld, BJ, Orazem, J & Sabol, F 2018, Effects of resistance training frequency on gains in muscular strength: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Sports Medicine, vol. 48. Kraemer, WJ & Ratamess, NA 2004, Fundamentals of Resistance Training: Progression and Exercise Prescription, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 16, no. 4.