NETWORK MEETS
SAM WOOD, PT & WOMEN’S
HEALTH AMBASSADOR
Network caught up with PT and former Bachelor TV star Sam Wood to talk lockdown,
changes in the industry and why women’s health and fitness is so important to him.
Network: Hi Sam, firstly, thank you for
taking a few minutes to shoot the breeze
with Australian Fitness Network. You’re
based in Melbourne and are currently
still in lockdown: how are you, and your
PT studio and team, going during the
pandemic?
Sam Wood: I’m not going to lie, it has been
really tough. We’re trying to be as proactive
and positive as we can by doing renovations
on the gym, offering virtual workouts and, of
course, helping as many of our members as
we can by providing free access to my online
program ‘28 by Sam Wood’.
N: You became a personal trainer
over 20 years ago after a lastminute
switch from studying law.
That’s quite a U-turn! What made
you decide to become a PT?
SW: Thank God I did. It was more a matter of
realising that being in an office wasn’t for me
and I needed to be out and about, interacting
with people. My love for sport and fitness
really made this feel like the right fit.
N: From your perspective, what have
been the biggest changes in the health
and fitness environment since you
became a trainer in the late ‘90s?
SW: There have been plenty of changes.
There’s definitely been a shift from a
training perspective, with the whole industry
becoming more functional. There is so much
more variety for people as the whole industry
has grown. From weightlifting and aerobics
through to functional training, boxing,
circuits, CrossFit, Pilates and yoga... there
are so many great options for people. The
most obvious shift in more recent times has
to be around community and technology.
Tribe-based fitness communities, with so
many people supporting each other and the
continued rise and evolution in tech-based
platforms, is seriously helping people get
active both at home and at the gym.
N: What made you so keen to sign up
as an ambassador for Women’s Health
Week in 2020?
SW: To be honest, it was a really easy
decision. I am such a proud husband and
father, my girls are my world. I also have
the privilege of working with thousands
of women every single week on my ‘28’
program. I hope that by being an ambassador
I can not only inspire women to achieve their
fitness goals and reap the health benefits,
but encourage the men in women’s lives to
support them too.
N: What effect do you feel social media
and social influencers have had on
women’s health and wellbeing, both
physical and mental?
SW: I’m so glad you asked me this question
as this is something I feel really strongly
26 | NETWORK SPRING 2020