Cameron helps trainers get fighting fit
Shane Cameron racked up 29 wins during his successful professional boxing career. Now he’s passing on his wide range of skills to personal trainers, adding boxing-focused routines and fitness techniques to their repertoire.
‘‘People who walk into a gym want to be challenged,’’ Cameron said.
Personal trainer at the PT Collective, Kylie Senior, recently attended the Counterpunch session run by Shane Cameron in Nelson. She took the course because ‘‘you can’t go stale in this industry’’.
‘‘I want to stand out as a fitness provider,’’ Senior said.
‘‘She was amazing,’’ Cameron said. ‘‘She loves the fitness industry.’’
People were often surprised that it was him taking the course, he said. ‘‘I love helping people and I love teaching people. It’s not just the boxing, it’s the coaching side of it . . . it’s a lot about how you deal with people.’’
Cameron is the only person in New Zealand who has developed a
REPs (Registration for Exercise Professionals) accredited boxing training course.
REPs is likened to a warrant of fitness for personal trainers, who acquire points over the course of the year by upskilling at accredited courses.
‘‘A lot of people don’t know about it,’’ Senior said. ‘‘People spend a lot of money on a personal trainer, but a person off the street wouldn’t know if they’re qualified . . . I’m really lucky that Shane’s course offered those points, its an added bonus.
‘‘REPs gives us the motivation to go out and learn something new.’’
Cameron said there was more to boxing training than met the eye.
‘‘You can’t just go in there without thinking. There’s footwork and balance, bobbing and weaving. It’s challenging.’’
Senior, who runs her personal training business, KFIT, from the PT Collective in Rapuara, Marlborough, intends to incorporate the boxing skills she has learned into her classes.
‘‘We’ll never focus on the fighting aspect of boxing – there are so many great boxing trainers in Marlborough. I just want people to be fit and healthy in a fun and different way.’’