3,500+ HOURS COACHING PEOPLE GETTING FITTER & STRONGER AFTER ILLNESS, INJURY AND/OR SURGERY
Get fit and strong again after illness, surgery or injury, in North Sydney
Structured evidence-based training that accounts for your medical history, so you can get back to the activities you love and stay independent.
The solution
Built entirely around your clinical history, not a generic template
Before I write a single workout, we go through your clinical history and your goals together. Your programme starts from your actual history, not a generic template applied to everyone.
Every decision is backed by objective testing, not guesswork
At the beginning of every phase of training, we test where you are, objectively. Every 4-6 weeks, we retest and adjust the programme. We never train off assumptions.
A real person holding you accountable
This isn’t an app or AI programme that spits out a plan and disappears. You have direct access to me to ask, “Is this normal?”, or “I’ve got something going on this week, how do I keep progressing?”. Consistency is the most important factor in deciding how much progress you make. I’m there to make sure you stay consistent.
Who I work with
If you’re recovering from or living with a health condition, I’ll build a plan around your history.
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Finished cardiac rehab, or just told to “get more active” after a recent high blood pressure measurement? I’ll help you train with confidence, so you can get back to what you love.
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Shopping bags feeling heavier? Puffed out on the stairs? I’ll help you build strength and energy with small, manageable steps, so you can keep doing what you enjoy for decades.
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Recently diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia? I’ll teach you how to train safely and effectively, so you can build strong bones over time and move without fear of a fracture.
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Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and not sure where to start? I’ll build a personalised plan around your history and medications, so you can exercise with confidence and keep living the life you want.
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You know exercise and good habits matter for the long run. I’ll turn that into a clear, personalised plan, so you build strength and fitness now and stay active and independent for decades.
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Dodgy knee, hip, shoulder or back holding you back? I’ll build a strength plan around your history, so you can move with more confidence and think about it less.
Don’t see your situation? Get in touch, and I’ll tell you honestly whether I can help.
How it works
Getting started takes a few short steps before we train, so everything is safe and built around you.
1. Enquire and tell me about you (15 mins). Book your Baseline Session, then fill out a short health questionnaire. The more detail you give me about your history, medications and goals, the better I can help.
2. A quick intro call (10 mins). I’ll phone you to say hello, answer any questions and confirm your session.
3. Doctor’s clearance, if you need it. If your questionnaire shows you need a go-ahead from your doctor, I’ll send you a ready-made email template to pass to your GP or specialist. Your Baseline Session goes ahead once I have their reply.
4. Your Baseline Session (60 mins). We confirm your goals, then check where you’re at with a body composition scan (if suitable for you), a cardiovascular fitness test, a movement assessment and a baseline strength test.
5. Start training. You leave with a clear plan. Most people train 2 to 3 times a week, in 40 minute one-to-one sessions at One Playground, North Sydney, with the OneCoach app between sessions. Online sessions are available if you live outside North Sydney or can’t travel.
About
I’m Matt, a Personal Trainer at One Playground North Sydney.
I spent four years at CP+R, the UK’s leading clinical exercise physiology clinic, helping people exercise safely and get stronger through recovery from illness, surgery and injury. Across more than 3,500 hours of coaching, I’ve worked with people recovering from cardiac surgery, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, joint replacement and back problems.
I do this work because I’ve seen what chronic illness can take away. My grandmother, Nanny Linda, lived with a serious lung condition that steadily reduced her quality of life, and she never had the chance to go through proper clinical rehabilitation. I believe the right support can change your life as well as the lives of your loved ones.
My approach: Everything we do is about building the physical capacity to live the life you want to live. Your plan is based on current evidence, your medical history and testing.
What to expect: I want you to feel confident in your plan and in what you’re working toward.
Qualifications:
BSc Sport & Exercise Science, University of Bath
Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Academy of Healthcare Sciences (United Kingdom)
Level 4 Cardiac Specialist Exercise Instructor, BACPR
Exercise Scientist, ESSA
What clients say…
“Matt trained me for the majority of the three years following my double by-pass surgery until his move to Australia. I felt I had an excellent rapport with him - due to his very personable nature. Matt carefully balanced the need to proceed with caution while at the same time building strength and fitness. The programme he developed evolved regularly and in addition, he provided me with varied cardiovascular sessions to do on my own. He was great at keeping me motivated to progress as well as good company during the sessions. He has a good knowledge of strength & conditioning and so was well able to critique technique and push me on. Overall, I would thoroughly recommend him as an excellent personal trainer and moreover one who can carefully guide someone from major surgery through to full fitness.”
Chris G, CABG x 2
“After my operation, I was physically delicate and feeling vulnerable. After 3 years working with Matt, I felt much more confident and much fitter, which meant I was able to resume all the activities I did before surgery.”
David C, CABG x 5
Pricing
Simple, upfront pricing. No hidden fees.
Baseline Session: $99 (60 mins)
Your starting point, includes:
Consultation to confirm your goals and history
Cardiovascular fitness test
Movement assessment
Baseline strength test
Body composition scan (if suitable for you)
You leave with a clear picture of where you are and where you are heading.
Ongoing Coaching: $99 (per 40 mins session)
One-to-one Personal Training sessions at One Playground North Sydney.
Your coaching membership includes:
OneCoach app (workouts, habit tracking, messaging)
General nutrition support
Ongoing assessments
Most clients train 2 to 3 times per week. The minimum is 1 session per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s clearance before I start?
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It depends on your health history. You’ll fill out a short health questionnaire, and if it shows you need a go-ahead from your doctor, I’ll send you a ready-made email to pass to your GP or specialist. Your Baseline Session goes ahead once this is received.
It takes 60 minutes. We start with a short consultation to confirm your goals, then a body composition scan (if it’s suitable for your health history), fitness testing and a movement assessment. You’ll do a short workout, and we finish by planning your next phase of training. Wear comfortable clothes and training shoes, and bring a water bottle and a list of your medications.
What happens in your first session?
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Most people with the best results train with me 2 to 3 times a week to start. The aim is 4 or more sessions of exercise a week in total, so I’ll build your independence and confidence to train on your own between sessions, and you can message me through the OneCoach app. The minimum is 1 session a week.
How many sessions a week will I need?
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Can I claim on Medicare or private health?
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Medicare, DVA and private health rebates aren’t currently available. The prices on this page are what you pay.
I’m not fit and I’m nervous. Is this right for me?
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Absolutely, this is exactly who this is for. Everything we do is scaled to your level and your confidence, and we start where you are, not where you think you should be.
Where to find me?
Sessions take place at One Playground, 155 Miller St, North Sydney, NSW 2060
Getting here:
Metro: Victoria Cross Station (1 minute walk)
Train: North Sydney Station (8 minute walk)
Parking: Street parking is limited, and the closest car park is Ward Street Council Car Park (10 minute walk)
Accessibility: Lifts are available for wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility.
When can we train: Monday to Saturday, with early morning and evening times available on certain weekdays.