5th Element Wellness is a nationally recognised personal training and wellness studio based in Fitzroy North. We serve the surrounding suburbs of Clifton Hill and Carlton North and work with people who want a more mature, supportive and... personalised approach to health and fitness. Our focus is on helping beginners, people returning to exercise and adults over 40 who want to feel strong, capable and confident without stepping into a gym environment that feels overwhelming or intimidating.
Our studio was founded by two long standing fitness professionals, Matthew Hoo and David O’Brian, who each came into the business with more than ten years of experience in the industry. After working in commercial gyms for many years, they noticed the same pattern repeating itself. Most gyms relied on members not showing up and offered very little guidance or accountability. People were sold memberships but were not given the support they needed to make real long term progress. That approach didn’t sit well with them, so they chose to create something different.
They built 5th Element Wellness around one clear belief. People do better when they have a coach in their corner. Even one session a week with a trainer can completely change someone’s confidence, consistency and results. When you know exactly what to do and you have someone checking in, your chances of staying on track skyrocket. This is the foundation of how we operate today.
What We Do: Personal Training for Real People
Personal training is the core service at 5EW. We have members who have been training with us for years because they appreciate the structure, support and calm environment we offer. Personal training is delivered in two ways. One on one sessions for people who want complete focus and privacy, and semi private personal training for those who enjoy training in a small group of no more than six people. Both formats offer personalised programs, real guidance and expert coaching.
Our coaches pay close attention to technique, mobility and safety. We take the time to teach people how to move well so they can build strength with confidence. Many of our members are in their forties, fifties and sixties. They often come in with old injuries, long breaks from training or a desire to look after their long term health rather than chase short term highs. Our coaches understand this and personalise each program to match the member’s ability, goals and lifestyle.
Most clients see their trainer weekly. They then follow their personalised program independently when they come to train on their own. We also run monthly assessments to measure progress. These assessments help us update programs, identify gaps, track improvements in strength, movement and body composition, and keep people feeling accountable and supported.
What Makes Us Different: A Mature, Calm and Supportive Space
One of the biggest differences between us and a typical gym is the environment. We do not have bodybuilders crowding the equipment, groups of teenagers taking over machines or a loud, ego-driven culture. We have created a mature, calm and comfortable place where people can exercise without pressure or judgement.
The gym floor features beautiful wooden trusses, high ceilings and a large roller door that brings fresh air through the space. We added turf for warm ups, sled pushes and movement work, and we use equipment chosen for durability, safety and controlled training. Members have room to breathe and space to move. That in itself is rare in the fitness industry today.
Small Group Strength and Yoga Studio
Outside personal training, we run small group strength classes and sessions in our Yoga Studio. The yoga, Pilates, meditation and breath work classes take place in a warm, infrared heated studio kept at a comfortable 22 to 23 degrees. The studio is spacious and beautifully designed with high ceilings, soft lighting and an alignment mirror that helps students improve their technique. Although the room could fit twenty people, we intentionally limit classes to eight to ten. This gives every person space and attention and keeps the experience calm and grounded.
We welcome beginners and intermediates to these classes. We are not an advanced yoga studio. Our goal is to create an environment where people can explore movement, improve mobility and manage stress in a gentle and supportive way.
Holistic Health and Recovery Services
A major part of what makes 5EW stand out is our holistic approach to health. We offer more than personal training. Members can access an infrared sauna, a cold tub and recovery tools that help reduce soreness, support immune function and encourage better sleep and energy levels. The sauna and cold tub are used independently or as part of a recovery routine that complements training.
Nutrition coaching is another key service. Some members need simple guidance around meal structure, weekend habits or breakfast routines. Others want deeper insight, so we offer comprehensive blood chemistry analysis to identify nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and metabolic patterns. This information helps our coaches build more precise and effective training and nutrition plans.
Award Winning Excellence
Our studio has been recognised as Australia’s Best Fitness Business six times. This is a reflection of our commitment to quality, care and long term support. We also have Australia’s Personal Trainer of the Year 2025 on our team, which adds another layer of expertise to the work we do. These awards matter because they show our dedication to being a place where people receive genuine support from a team that takes their role seriously.
Who We Serve
We mainly work with beginners, people starting again and adults over 40 who want to improve strength, mobility, confidence and long term wellbeing. Our members include professionals, parents, business owners, retirees and people who simply want to age well. They value a supportive environment that respects their age and experience and avoids the noise and pressure of typical gyms.
We proudly serve Fitzroy North, Clifton Hill and Carlton North. These suburbs form a strong part of our community, and many of our members live or work nearby.
What Makes Us Truly Special
What really sets us apart is the combination of expertise, care and environment. We personalise everything. We check in. We update programs. We measure progress. We know our members, their bodies, their stories and their goals. This is not a gym where people disappear into the background.
We offer a place where people can finally feel comfortable training. A place where beginners are welcome. A place where adults over 40 do not feel out of place. A place where someone can start again after a long break and feel supported, not judged. A place where the goal is sustainability, not intensity.
At 5th Element Wellness, our mission is simple. Help people age well, feel strong, move freely and live with confidence for years to come. We are proud of the work we do and the community we have built, and we aim to set a new standard for what personal training and wellness can be.
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