Q and A - Mitch Hurt

Get quality advice, go for products that last the distance and seek a specialist's help if you want a satisfying workout that steers you towards your fitness goals, says Workout World Fyshwick store manager Mitch Hurt.

Q. Why is it important to buy fitness equipment from a specialist retailer?
A. Buying fitness equipment from a specialist retailer such as Workout World is extremely important for many reasons. Specialists are exactly that: we will speak to you in depth about home exercise equipment – finding which kinds of equipment will be the most beneficial to all kinds of users. Specialists will take the time to assess customers' goals and ensure they are purchasing the most suitable equipment to get their desired results, not forgetting the fact that specialists have the highest quality equipment and the strongest buying power in Australia, ensuring quality products at great prices.

Q. What should people look for when they're shopping for home fitness equipment?
A. When buying equipment you simply cannot beat quality. There is nothing worse than buying equipment simply because it is cheap. I have had countless customers who have come in to the store having made the mistake of purchasing cheap equipment elsewhere - they've taken it home and it's either broken within a week or it is doing nothing to help them towards their fitness and health goals.

So when looking at equipment, do your research! Stick with reputable brands and try before you buy! I cannot stress that enough!

Q. How important is choosing quality fitness equipment? How can you tell the difference between a quality product and an inferior one?
A. Buying quality is hugely important. Lower quality equipment will generally have a shorter lifespan. It may also give you a less satisfying workout. Products that are built to a price generally involve compromises being made somewhere – a lower quality motor, for example, or a less durable frame is another example. If you're looking at buying a treadmill, look for a heavy duty frame, a large motor and a good suspension system. The treadmill has to be easy to use, too. Make sure you try it out at a high intensity workout pace so the potential flaws in the machine become more apparent, such as loud noises, vibrations and perhaps a motor that struggles with the workload.

People who are buying an elliptical should be looking for a machine with a long stride length with a minimal up and down ('bobbing') motion.

The general rule for ellipticals is 'bigger is better'. Generally speaking, the bigger it is the better range of motion it will provide.

Q. How do you determine suitable fitness equipment for your customers?
A. Before I even show customers any equipment I spend the time to learn their short and long term goals, assessing their current fitness levels and how often they are going to be using the equipment, ensuring customers buy products that will keep performing, time after time. Once these have been established, I will show them equipment that I feel will best suit their needs and steer them towards their goals.

Q. How important is having a fitness goal?
A. It's extremely important! If you have no goal in place you will find it harder to stay on track and also have no sense of direction with your training, with nothing to measure it against.

Set yourself short and long term goals but be realistic. Write down your goals and your results leading up to them.

Q. What are your favourite pieces of home fitness equipment and why?
A. One of my favourites would have to be the Cardio Gym. They are a big seller in Canberra, due to previous customers referring it to their friends. I think one of the main reasons Cardio Gym is so popular is because of the workout variety it offers.

You will never get bored of the Cardio Gym because it has a 'personal trainer' console that counts your repetitions and instructs you when to change exercises. It also comes with a kayak row bar and a reversible bike, not to forget that it folds away into a tidy cupboard! It's very space friendly!

I have been selling the Cardio Gym for many years. It's extremely popular with women - the main reason being it's the only machine they have used which they can use to lose weight and to tone their arms, back and shoulders.

During the last few years I have also had a lot of feedback from older customers. They are having great success with it, too. As the body ages, muscle deteriorates rapidly, but with exercise and light weight training, it helps retain muscle and movement also helping to prevent the onset of conditions associated with ageing.

Q. What are your top tips for people looking to lose weight and increase their fitness?
A. When looking to achieve a specific goal, train for it. Whether your goal is for weight loss or muscle gain, the thought process is the same. Having goals may mean you have to make some lifestyle changes.

Making specific workout times – having a routine - is essential for any health or fitness goal. Also, making sure you are eating the right foods to suit your goal is extremely important and nutritional supplements could assist with this.

Q. What are your personal fitness goals in 2010 and what exercise are you doing to reach these goals?
A. My goal for 2010 is to be the fittest and leanest I have ever been and have set a certain body fat percentage I want to be for the start of next year.

Q. What business philosophy do you follow?
A. I have worked for Workout World for many years now and I know how hugely important it is to give great service and make sure the customer is 100% happy. So my number one priority is service.

Number two is making sure the customer is buying the most suitable fitness equipment for their needs. There is nothing more satisfying than when one of our customers returns to tell me how good the product they bought from us is and how they've achieved amazing results using the equipment we have recommended them.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A. When previous customers come back to the store to tell me how they are blowing their goals out of the water!

It's so satisfying when the visit and I can see not only a physical, but a metal improvement in someone who has achieved health and happiness. It's great knowing that I have the knowledge and the great products to change a customer's life - for the better!