At AB Health & Fitness, every member’s story is different. For Joanne Drew, joining AB was about finding a way to fit exercise around her busy family life and discovering the power of a supportive community. With young children and limited time, she needed something realistic and flexible, not another commitment that felt overwhelming. What she found instead was a space where movement was accessible, encouragement was constant, and showing up, even once a week, could lead to lasting change.
Starting Small
Joanne first joined AB for the Shred for the Wed challenge, which happened on a Sunday. This was the only day she could fit exercise into her schedule while looking after her young children. Being able to bring them along and have them sit safely in the foyer made all the difference. It turned a difficult task into something manageable and even enjoyable.
Before she started, Joanne felt stretched and unsure. With young kids and a busy life, she wondered if she could commit. Despite the uncertainty, she showed up and that first step became the foundation of her fitness journey.
Progress Through Consistency
One of Joanne’s proudest moments came during a 2025 challenge with weekly fitness tests. Each week she pushed herself to beat her previous time. The results were not just physical. The real achievement was seeing how consistency and effort led to growth and confidence.
Community Matters
For Joanne, AB has always been more than just a gym. She has taken part in events with meaning, like the Big S’cool Walk and the Coast Trek, raising funds for MND Victoria. Through it all, the support of the AB community has been invaluable. Cheering, encouraging, and celebrating each other’s efforts has made her feel connected and motivated.
Joanne also treasures the lighter moments. Brendan’s funny comments in class always make her laugh. She especially remembers the lockdown sessions when instructors dressed in 80s gear, which made exercising fun even during challenging times.
Finding Strength
Joanne’s favourite sessions are Dave’s lift classes, where she can focus on heavy weights and challenging workouts. Being in a class of women lifting together has been inspiring. Having previously trained with her husband at his personal gym, she never expected to enjoy class-based training so much. AB showed her that community can make lifting weights exciting and empowering.
Small Wins, Big Impact
Even small achievements have felt meaningful. Committing to 6am classes despite a packed schedule has been a personal victory. Each class attended, even on tired or busy days, reminds Joanne that dedication is about showing up, not perfection.
AB in Three Words
When asked to describe AB Health & Fitness in three words, Joanne chose:
Intimate, Community, Family
Walking out of the gym, Joanne feels accomplished, relieved, and connected, not just to her fitness goals but to the people around her. AB has given her a space to grow stronger, not just physically, but socially and mentally too.
At AB Health & Fitness, we believe every journey matters. Whether you are starting out, pushing your limits, or finding your strength, our community is here to support, inspire, and celebrate you every step of the way. Because at AB, Movement is Life.
