For Everyone and Every Body
Within five minutes of meeting Anna King I am hooked – I feel the need to roll out my mat and get back into Pilates.
Twenty-five years ago, Anna King was based in London, travelling the world as a long-haul flight attendant for Air New Zealand. It was exhausting, gruelling work, regularly taking her across multiple time zones and playing havoc with her body. ‘It was during this time that my passion for exploring the world of health and wellbeing really sparked,’ she recalls. ‘I wanted to manage my body better under the stress of flying.’ This exploration led her to the benefits of movement, both physically and mentally.
‘When my husband and I made the decision to leave London, we returned home to Mid Canterbury and I knew then that I wanted to expand my health and wellbeing journey even further,’ she explains. A decision that saw her embark on a six-month course to become a personal trainer. A career move that she juggled alongside flying part-time and raising three sons.
‘It was after the birth of my youngest son, Olly (now 10) that I started to really realise how much our bodies change over time. Previously I had juggled flying, two small children, working at the local gym offering Les Mills classes, and the general day-to-day of life … but after Olly I just couldn’t get my body to jump around to that same level. That was when Pilates became my new hero.’
After five minutes with Anna, it is clear that she brings 110 per cent energy and dedication to all that she does. So, with the decision that it was time to make a change, she dived head first into upskilling and providing ‘world-class Pilates’ to her local community. ‘There wasn’t really anyone else in Mid Canterbury at that time offering Pilates,’ she says, ‘so alongside taking classes in the Long Beach Community Hall and my garage, I underwent a 15-month floor Pilates course.
‘From there my love for Pilates went crazy,’ she laughs. ‘I love to learn, so I kept going and am now qualified to teach floor Pilates, reformer, barre, HIIT Pilates …’ and the list goes on. This culminated in the launch of her own brand, Anna Fit. ‘It is a real fusion of my love of being a personal trainer and Pilates,’ she explains. With a studio in Methven as well as Ashburton, Anna Fit has cemented itself as a beautiful space for everyone – supported by Anna Fit online for those outside of the region.
While there is no denying her passion for Pilates, for Anna, the driver is helping her clients. ‘Everyone is welcome – if someone has never done Pilates, that doesn’t matter. My aim is to meet you where you need to be,’ she says. ‘There are no age or fitness requirements, it is all about moving to the best of our ability so as to support you in what you need – whether that is being more agile so that you can play on the floor with your grandkids; or wanting to be stronger for work; or you are returning from an injury … I want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy coming along.’
A sentiment shared by her clients, one explaining: ‘I detest going to a gym for so many reasons, but reformer Pilates has been a game changer for me. I actually like going to the group classes and think it is two-fold: the nature of the exercise, and Anna. She is a one-of-a-kind motivating, funny and super inclusive Pilates teacher. The reformer machines really carry the weight of the exercise for you, so that it isn’t hard on joints, or strenuous. You really feel like you’re working the right muscles towards getting those lengthy Gwyneth Paltrow legs!’
Like floor Pilates, reformer is about building strength, which in turn enhances an individual’s flexibility and ability to control movement. ‘Reformer is essentially low-impact, cardio-based core movement and resistance work on a machine,’ explains Anna. ‘It improves balance, flexibility and of course strength. And like all exercise, it improves mental wellbeing.
‘I teach with intensity,’ she laughs. ‘Movement is a medicine and I know for many, having an hour where there is no time or brain space to think about what is happening outside of your body and the movements we are asking it to make, is a luxury.’
To aid in her clients’ success, she guides everyone through a one-on-one session before they enter a group setting. ‘I like to understand their unique motivations, their story, and work with their ability to find a suitable class so that they feel successful from the moment they walk in the door.’
Supporting Anna and helping to execute her ethos is brother Nick Murdoch, who works behind the scenes, and fellow trainer, Liz Johnston. ‘Liz is such a beautiful person,’ enthuses Anna. ‘She is a qualified reformer teacher, and just as passionate about Pilates as I am!’ Working out of the Ashburton studio, Liz has allowed Anna Fit to grow further – to now offer 18 classes a week in Ashburton – one mat Pilates, one Yoga class (run by Liz) and 16 reformer; and up to 16 classes in Methven. Plus the Anna Fit online workouts.
Reflecting on her career, and the future, Anna is humble when we talk about the impact she is making on people’s lives. ‘I never wanted to be the best teacher,’ she concludes. ‘I wanted to be the best fit for my clients. I have three layers of training, which is rare in our industry, but I believe you can never have too much knowledge. And I will continue to educate and challenge myself further so that I can share that, and the lifelong impacts of it, with my clients.’
