Published Fri, 27 Feb 2026
As we celebrate five years of Gunyama, one message has come through clearly from our community: the energy, passion and motivation of our fitness instructors are a big part of what makes this place so special.
Several instructors have been with us since opening our centre in 2021, helping shape the welcoming, high-quality group exercise experience our members love today.
To thank them for their dedication, we recently surprised these long-standing instructors with a token of appreciation for the impact they’ve had on both our centre and the community that calls Gunyama home.
We also spoke with our Group Fitness Coordinator, James, about what makes these instructors such an important part of Gunyama:
Rob
James: "Since 2021, Rob has played a pivotal role in building Gunyama’s vibrant and welcoming Aqua community. His loyal following - along with many new members - are drawn to his fun, high-energy classes, often calling them the highlight of their day."
Over the past five years, our Aqua Aerobics program has grown from just 10 classes per week to 23, a testament to the strength of the community and the impact of Rob’s leadership.
"Rob has been nominated for Aqua Professional of the Year in the AUSActive National Awards for two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025 - a well-deserved acknowledgement of his contribution to the industry."
Anita
James: "Anita introduced SPRINT to Gunyama when it was a brand-new program, and it has since grown into one of our most popular cycle classes. Through her leadership and belief in the program, she helped build a strong and loyal SPRINT community."
Anita has also mentored several members on their journey to becoming SPRINT instructors themselves - a true testament to her commitment to developing others.
"Beyond the bike, she has expanded and strengthened our Aqua Aerobics program since 2024, sharing her energy and passion across multiple class formats."
Yvette
James: "Yvette has taken our SPRINT classes to the next level, building on the strong foundation that's been created and growing the program into one of our most popular offerings."
Her energy, passion and genuine love for cycle classes have made early mornings something members actually look forward to.
"Yvette has also expanded her expertise across a range of programs, including RPM and BODYPUMP, bringing the same enthusiasm and high standards to every class she leads."
Chiara
James: "Chiara is one of our leading Yoga instructors, teaching across all City of Sydney centres and inspiring a strong, loyal following. Delivering around 16 classes each week, she also supports our Reformer program."
She plays a key role in our popular GOLD (senior) wellness classes - where the sense of community continues long after class, over coffee and tea together!
Ashley
James: "Ashley launched our very first Reformer class in 2021 and played a key role in recruiting and mentoring new instructors as the program expanded."
Most importantly, she has inspired several members to become certified teachers themselves - a true reflection of her leadership and passion.
"What began with just 20 Reformer classes in 2021 has grown to 64 classes today, with Ashley’s dedication and drive having a significant impact on that growth."
We appreciate not only these long-standing instructors, but every fitness professional across our City of Sydney gyms and pools. Their energy, expertise and enthusiasm are at the heart of what we do. Without them, we couldn’t deliver the classes that help our community thrive, stay active, connect with others and leave with a smile.
We’ve also been celebrating the incredible members who’ve been part of Gunyama since day one. - from recovering after surgery to rebuilding their strength and confidence at Gunyama.
