Two personal trainers who swapped London’s grey skies for Bondi Beach’s coastal sun are quietly changing the way locals over 50 approach strength training, no gyms, no pressure, just simple tools and the right guidance.
A Fresh Start in a New Place
Matt and Cyan moved from the UK to Bondi Beach a year and a half ago, seeking a fresh start from their careers as personal trainers in London. They quickly saw a need for accessible fitness and began running “Strength & Stretch” classes at the Bondi Pavilion, aimed at people, especially older adults, who find gyms intimidating.
Using just a chair, resistance bands and body weight, the sessions offer a simple, safe way to build strength. Their goal is to help people like their own parents train confidently, even if they’re just starting out or returning from injury.
Solving a Simple Problem
During their classes, Matt and Cyan saw that many people struggled with resistance bands, grips were uneven and progress was hard to track. Cyan came up with a simple idea: print evenly spaced lines on the bands to help users train consistently and see improvement.
When they couldn’t find anything like it on the market, they created their own and called it Strong Band. It was designed for everyday people, not athletes, to make strength training easier and less intimidating.
Feedback from the Community
In their Bondi classes, the new band has already helped people train with more confidence and consistency. One member with past injuries said it allowed her to work at her own pace without comparing herself to others.
A woman in her 70s said the clear levels made it easier to know when to progress, giving her a quiet sense of achievement. Matt and Cyan say that’s exactly the point, removing guesswork so people can feel steady progress and stick with it.
Building Strength for Life
Matt, who studied development and health psychology, says strength training becomes even more important as people age, helping with movement, health and independence. Their “20 Minute Strength” programme has been backed by a Sydney doctor who says it offers a simple, safe way for beginners to build strength.
Beyond Bondi, they’re pledging part of Strong Band profits to charities that help kids access sport, something both trainers say shaped their own lives. For Matt and Cyan, it’s not just about fitness; it’s about creating a space where people feel supported and strong, both physically and in community.
Published 27-May-2025