I think I'd tried almost every type of group class, fitness fad, and diet I could think of, as well as being a member of at least five gyms, and training with three different personal trainers all within the past 10 years. As a youngster I was a State level swimmer and competitive lifesaver, before kids I was into triathlons and open water swimming, and after child number two I ran a marathon, so training hard for long hours had been second nature to me. But there I as at age 40 overweight and unfit. My weight had yo-yo'd over the years as I took on one crazy "get fit quick!" campaign after another, and ended up at 79.5kgs -the heaviest I'd ever been! I wasn't happy about it, but as a full-time mother I had a hundred excuses.” I have a young baby; I’m sleep deprived; my husband travels a lot; I have a three young kids to organize; I just don’t have time to train enough !”
Enter Dragon Door Australia. I'd done a few group training sessions, and liked the casual atmosphere, the lack of pretention, and the training style. Andrew is a surprisingly gentle teacher. He may look tough, but he doesn't bark orders at his clients. And he explains the logic behind his methods. And he’s not trying to get you to do stuff HE can’t already do 100 times better! And he's relentless! Timing being as it is, I signed up for Andrew's "Get Sexy for Summer" -a 16 week plan. That was 11.5 weeks ago, and in that time I've learned a LOT about my body and how it works from Andrew. The most surprising thing to me is that I don't have to work out like a maniac 7 days a week, or starve myself to get results.
All of the "campaigns" and "boot-camps" I've tried in the past have really just been a money spinner for the gyms in question. "The more you train (i.e. the more you spend at our gym), the better the result!". Andrew quickly put paid to that idea by telling me that 3 quality sessions a week is enough. He actively discouraged me from doing more sessions than that, which shows considerable integrity as after all, more sessions = more money for him too! The difference I think is that Andrew's focus is on long term results, and overtraining MAY provide a "quick fix", but it's not sustainable! He's too honorable to try to gouge his clients! Andrew focuses on helping his clients get the very best out of their training sessions. Lesson learned: Quality trumps quantity with exercise too! That's why my weight increased in the past after I slowed down the exercise.
Andrew's knowledge of nutrition, fuelling the body, and his very non-judgemental approach to other people's lifestyles is another major point in his favour. When we started keeping food diaries he provided a strict list of diet do's and don’ts, but didn’t try to force recipes, meal replacements, or supplements onto me. He also shakes things up every month or so, forcing you to change your diet, which in turn stops boredom setting in. And again his food logic is sound. Lesson learned: diets are pointless. Eating plans that that are flexible, but which follow rules, work because you can sustain them long term!
So 11.5 weeks into "Sexy for Summer" and at last weigh in I was 68.5kgs. Thanks to Andrew I'm fitting into the size 10 clothes that have been buried at the back of my cupboard since my triathlon days. I still have a way to go, and of course I need to keep the weight off, but with Andrew as a trainer I can't see it coming back. Because the main difference between Andrew and the other trainers I've tried is that Andrew doesn't let you see excuses...just solutions. Lesson learned.

Andrew knows his stuff; kettlebells, functional movement, programming and client psychology. When I walked into to his DD gym on August 15th of this year I was 122kg and an overshadow of my former athletic self (National Level Swimmer). Within the first 10 minutes I knew Andrew would be the right trainer for me - he didn't judge me for where I was and he subtly challenged me which got me to pay attention. Andrew always challenges me in my PT sessions and knows the right time to make me step it up a notch.

13 and a half weeks later and at last weigh in I was down to 100kg - a whopping 22kg disappeared because of Andrew and his team's training, PT sessions, programming and nutritional support as part of the "16 Week Get Sexy for Summer" program. I know that Andrew isn't done with me yet with 4 and 1/2 weeks to go...someone needs to take me clothes shopping! Whilst stripping the weight Andrew has helped me at least Double my Warm Up KB for Swings and Get Ups, from 16kg (which had me sore in the first two weeks) to now effortlessly using a 32kg KB in warm up.

Beyond the results Andrew has helped to deliver he has re-framed my perspective of what it takes to remain healthy and strong for life. Before I met Andrew, because of my competitive sport background, I believed I had to train 15 to 20 hours a week to get similar results (physically at least), as when i was swimming. As life, work, family and children become of prime importance and I am not a professional this was not possible - until I discovered Dragon Door Australia.

Thanks Andrew - I look forward to many more years of training with you and your team.

Andrew just keeps on bringing better workshops to us in the land Down Under!

I am now training up to attend April's RKC and headed over to Melbourne to participate in the workshops that followed on from the HKC. There is such a high level of information, encouragement and advice at any of these workshops. Being able to train under Andrew and the Dragon Door banner is such a treat!

Andrew makes learning and practice enjoyable and challenging while offering corrections as necessary. He is very welcoming and approachable, will definitely be booking in to do a one-on-one session with him next time I am headed over to Melbourne!!

I started training with Andrew about a year and a half ago and I have never felt better.

I am a dancer and had a serious back injury which keep reoccurring so my physiotherapist recommended I see Andrew. I had never heard of kettlebells before so wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I will never forget the shock on my mums face the first time I saw Andrew and realised just how limited some of my movement was, but also how simple it was to correct by someone with Andrew's knowledge.

I soon grew to love training and although very hard at times, Andrew constantly kept me motivated and drilled my technique. I was always fit, what I didn't realise was that I lacked a lot of strength particularly in my core and upper body, which is why I was constantly hurting myself with the demands of dancing.

Since I met Andrew my back barely bothers me at all, and my dancing has improved dramatically as well. I feel healthier, more evenly toned and generally much fitter and stronger. I can't imagine ever wanting to do any other type of gym training, in fact I raved about it so much my whole family (mum, dad and brother) now come along to training with me, we have never looked back.

I had felt that my snatch lacked power for some time. Andrew assessed and nailed the problem within 5 reps! The Martial Power workshop was awesome! Through the utilisation of neuromuscular techniques, participants were able to noticeably increase striking speed and therefore power! I have already utilised a number of these techniques at my dojo with great effect. Given that Kyokushin is a power karate, this workshop has added more grunt! Andrew demonstrates a great depth of knowledge and humility. As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, much of what passes for continuing education does not have the depth of practical knowledge, common sense or application of functional physiology/ anatomy that I experienced in Andrew's workshops. I look forward to working with Andrew in the future and will unreservedly recommend his workshops and services to members of my profession and those in the fitness industry who want real, functional applications of exercise science to use with their clientèle.

I met Andrew when we both assisted for Team Engum in April of 2011. Andrew has a huge personality, knew everyone, and it was a bit intimidating for me. Honestly, I'm generally skeptical of the 'popular kids' and I was worried that he would be there just to have fun.
It didn't take long to figure out that the charismatic, cool-kid from Australia was NOT all talk and that my first impression couldn't have been more wrong. Andrew is a true professional in every way- he knows his stuff, he's a fantastic instructor, and he's physically capable. Andrew lives and breathes this stuff and he takes it seriously.
I found out later that he is awesome at writing strength programs! From the other side of the world, he coached me and helped me peak for the Iron Maiden challenge. With Andrew's guidance, I became the third woman ever to complete the challenge- I walked in there confident in my training and I couldn't have done that without his coaching. Thanks Andrew- you're the best!

I am a big guy and when I run I will end up at the physio with foot pain. He suggested doing a session with a running coach. So I did one session with Andrew and was amazing how much I learnt. After about 20 minutes was moving faster than I have in a long time and it felt great.

Obvious that fitness is a passion of his not a job.
Will make you better than you ever thought you could be.

I started using kettlebells in my local gym, really enjoyed it but realised that my trainer was not that clued up, so after some research I found Dragon Door Australia and so began my new journey in hardstyle kettlebells. DDA lived up to its reputation and I have not looked back.

I had high expectations due to the reputation that DDA had, but I was amazed at the dedication and knowledge that Andrew Read had to offer and how quickly he could make changes in me through the FMS which in turn produced great results - things I thought I would never have been able to achieve.

I have absolutely loved my training at DDA. Andrew has that special gift of keeping you motivated, ensuring that you are always improving you technique AND making you want to go that one step further every time, Andrew and his team simply inspire you to be better.

I know that at DDA I am learning with the best in the country, I know that I will never be allowed to reach a plateau or rest on my last accomplishment. I know that
Andrew's immense passion and huge wealth of knowledge will help me reach my goals and get me into the best shape I have ever been in. I love DDA!!

In the short time I have been going to DDA, I have seen huge improvements - my shape has changed, I have become more toned, I move better and
have improved my strength 10 fold - all this in just a month of training with Andrew and this is just the beginning!

Anyone who is serious about keeping fit, strong and healthy should not waste their time on wasteful gym memberships or running/jogging themselves stupid and just try out DDA - you will be hooked and won't regret it.

It’s hard to put words on paper that do Andrew justice as the brilliant trainer that he is.

In January 2010 I met and started training with Andrew. At the time I was fresh out of cert III and IV in fitness and eager to try my hand at as many different types of training as possible.

From the word “go” he was not only a superb trainer but an amazing mentor. Explaining and demonstrating technique in ways that were easily understood and applied by all, always pushing me that one step further, to train harder, to educate myself and be a better trainer and always, without hesitation, willing to share his experience and expertise.

Since commencing training with Andrew I have grown immensely as a trainer. He has mentored me through completion of the HKC, RKC, CK FMS & RKC II.

Andrew motivates and inspires me to be the best I can possibly be every day. The passion he shows for his work is almost overwhelming . I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer.

I have have been using kettlebells for about a year, read the books, watched the DVD's, felt pretty good, saw some reasonable gains and increase in fitness but knew there was something missing so I bit the bullet and paid for a one on one session with Andrew.

Regarding kettlebells It is the best thing I have done, fine tuning my technique, identifying my weakneses and improving the basics.

I booked in for a group class the night after the one on one session and found that just as beneficial. New ideas for my own workouts, as well as further guidance on technique which you can never really get enough of.

If you are considering it I advise that you book in and do a one on one session ASAP.

I am a hard marker but I am trying to think what could have been improved and nothing is coming to me so 10 out of 10 it is.