You’re Not Starting From Zero.
You’re Just Starting Again.
Many people feel embarrassed walking back into a gym after years away.
They imagine being surrounded by bodybuilders, fast paced classes or people who look like they know exactly what they are doing.
Or they worry about getting injured by doing the wrong thing.
The truth is simple.
Your body just needs a clear, safe pathway back into movement.
That is what we specialise in.
Why Restarting Alone Usually Fails
Most people try to:
- Train like they did in their 20s
- Go too hard too fast
- Follow workouts they find online
- Push intensity without rebuilding foundations
- Jump into high impact or high volume classes
- Wing it and hope motivation lasts
This usually leads to burnout, stiffness, frustration or feeling “too far behind”.
The right plan gives you full results with less effort.
The wrong plan gives you tiny results no matter how hard you push.
Meet the Team
Sam Roberts
Fitness Director
Sam lights up when he’s helping people with their health and fitness—whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned gym veteran. He’s a nutritionist who’s been in health & fitness for 10 years, and has owned his own gym!
Woody Greene
Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach
With a background in behaviour coaching and support work, Woody brings a calm, patient, and uplifting energy to every session. He combines strength and cardio training to help you feel capable, confident, and clear on your goals – physically and mentally. His grounded, holistic style makes the journey feel approachable, sustainable, and genuinely empowering.
Anthony Masino
Functional Diagnostic Performance Coach
Anthony is a truly impressive wealth of knowledge and is dedicated to empowering you to understand and unlock your health. He’s clocked thousands of hours studying biomechanics and exercise, nutrition, mental health and counselling.
Tim Hewitt
Senior Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
Tim’s analytical approach to training and wellness will bust any misinformation you might have about health, while you seriously upgrade your movement skills! He loves teaching calisthenics and supporting people to better understand how their habits impact their outcomes.
Steph Flores-Tapia
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
With a degree in Exercise & Sports Science and an extensive background in allied health, Steph has used her knowledge to help turn fitness goals into realities since 2017. Her warm and supportive approach to training will unveil your bravery, patience, and persistence to achieve your goals.
Matt Hoo
Founder
With two decades in health and fitness, nothing brings more fulfilment to Matt than helping people to live a better quality of life. He’s the 5EW founder and is passionate about personal development, living better longer, and working smart.
Mehmood Reza
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
Reza’s background in mixed martial arts, powerlifting, stage preparation bodybuilding and sprinting has fostered a love of discipline and the power of consistency. But don’t be fooled, he’s got a big heart.
Ciaran Garland
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
With a Master’s in Strength & Conditioning and a passion for holistic approaches to recovery and overall health, Ciaran’s got the knowledge and skills to unlock your full athletic potential. His science-backed methods build both mental and physical resilience, and his positive approach means your transformation won’t just be in the gym – it’ll be the catalyst for a healthier and more empowered you!
Ally Bates
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
From Division I collegiate basketball to a Master's in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Ally's diverse background fuels her holistic approach to fitness and wellness. She excels in strength and high-intensity training, guiding you to unlock your strongest self, all while helping you develop healthy habits that’ll serve you for years to come.
Emma Vanhala
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
With over a decade in health and fitness, Emma has knowledge in strength training, muscle building and gymnastics. Plus holistic health practices to support your nutrition and wellness journey.
Ollie Dyson
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
Basketball champion turned personal trainer, Ollie’s passion for moving well and recovering better are unmatched. With a bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and extensive experience in holistic health, he’ll help you improve every facet of your exercise, stress management and sleep for optimal wellbeing.
James Henderson
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
James, a seasoned Senior Sports Trainer and ex-Division 1 basketball player, brings over seven years of experience to our team. His fun, challenging, and technique-focused sessions are paired with his passion for cultivating a positive mindset via holistic recovery, so you’ll not only reach your goals, but feel energised and nourished every step of the way.
Ethan Richards
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
A former teacher turned holistic coach, Ethan's approach to training is as much about the mind as it is about the body. With a national-level cross-country background, he brings precision, focus, and fun to his coaching that helps you go above and beyond with your fitness goals.
Guiseppe Di Mauro
Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach
Giuseppe transitioned from chef to personal trainer and brought his holistic perspective on health with him. His focus goes beyond just exercise, emphasising a healthier relationship with yourself, a balanced lifestyle, and nourishing food to transform how you look, move and feel.
How We Ease You Back Into Training Safely
A Low Pressure Consultation
We talk through your goals, past training, lifestyle and what has held you back.
We match you with a pathway that fits your confidence, time and budget.
A Movement Assessment That Meets You Where You Are
Your coach checks posture, tightness, weaknesses and any patterns from years away.
This tells us exactly what to focus on first.
A Clear Program You Can Actually Stick To
Most people train like this:
- One personal training session a week
- Two guided sessions on their own
- Or 3 Semi Private PT sessions a week for people who prefer full support
Either way, you always know what to do.
No guessing. No confusion.
Strength, Not Punishment
We focus on slow, safe strength training that gives you stability, mobility and confidence.
Not high impact circuits.
Not fast paced cardio classes that leave you wrecked for days.
This is a better option for adults returning after long breaks or dealing with stiffness, old injuries or fear of doing the wrong thing.
Data That Keeps You Motivated
We use body scans to show your progress in a tangible way:
- Muscle gained
- Fat lost
- Visceral fat levels
- Bone density
- Posture and symmetry changes
This gives you real feedback so you do not rely on the scales or guesswork.
What You Can Expect In Your First Eight Weeks
- 2-3kgs lost
- One to two clothing sizes down
- Stronger lifts
- Better posture
- More stable energy
- More mobility
- Feeling younger, clearer and more capable
- Confidence growing each week
Many adults say they feel two years younger in their first 2 months.
Real Member Stories
4.9 Rating | +300 Google Reviews
- Built confidence for busy lifestyle
- Overcame knee injury for pain-free runs
- Dropped 10% bodyfat
- Built confidence for busy lifestyle
- From knee injury to pain-free, long-distance runs every week
- Dropped 10%+ of bodyfat
– Amy
– Amy
- Feels strong, lean, energised
- Confidence and vitality restored
- Ageing well with purpose
- Feels strong, lean, energised
- Confidence and vitality restored
- Ageing well with purpose
– Rob
– Rob
Why Adults Returning to Training Choose 5EW
- A calm studio without the noise of commercial gyms and council centres
- No pressure, ego or competitive atmosphere
- Programs that build confidence, not intimidation
- Coaches who understand beginners and returning adults
- A friendly community of people in the same stage of life
- Structure that makes consistency easy
Whether you are restarting after years away or rebuilding after a tough period, you will feel supported every step of the way.
Find Us in Fitzroy North
5th Element Wellness is conveniently located in Fitzroy North and easily accessible from Clifton Hill, Collingwood, and nearby suburbs.
Visit our boutique studio and experience personal training designed around your goals, with expert coaching and a focus on long-term results.
Want to find out how
1:1 Personal Training
can benefit you?
Book your Free 1:1 consultation
