Red Flags To Be Aware Of In Health And Fitness And How To Spot A Bad Coach

Caitlyn Davey • July 8, 2025

 If you’re new to the world of health and fitness, training with a coach, or just aren’t sure how to spot right from wrong, we can help. Falling into the trap of miracle teas or being convinced by promises of quick transformations can cause various ill-effects to your health, and will also make all the effort you’ve made feel like nothing. James and Sean share some things you need to be aware of in health and fitness as well as things to look out for while working with a coach, how to cut through the bullshit and know if your training knows their stuff.Here are a few of the red flags you should question. PromisesResults depend on various factors; your training, diet, and metabolic rate. The number one thing you need to watch out for is when coaches begin to ‘promise’ you results, particularly with no explanations or caveats.For James, the biggest red flag in coaches is that they’re promising the world to their clients without knowing them properly.“Promises. People promising you the result, do you know like absolutely guaranteeing you the result. That’s a red flag for me. Someone that promises you a direct result, ‘I will make you lose six kgs in six weeks,’ like a miracle result. Like ‘I will promise you…’ and again, we will guarantee results to some extent, it depends on how you are doing it right? If you come into the gym, our average membership length is 2.6 years. Why is it so long? Because we do not promise something we can't deliver. I guarantee everyone coming to Rebuild and stick to a program will get stronger, will build muscle mass. We never ever promise someone that they will look a certain way within a certain time period.” Short-term transformationsIf you're being promised to look a certain way in a set amount of time, run the boys say. Sean suggests you stay away from “any program that says it will give you a six-pack in like 12 weeks or less, or ones that get you to start off doing one crunch and by day 10, you’ll be able to do 100 crunches a day.”James breaks it down by pointing out some harsh realities. “I have seen these ads everywhere, you see them on influencers' pages where they promote a six-minutes ab routine which I get, maybe it is their six-minutes ab routine, but they are not promising it,' he says. 'And because they have got abs, people go, ‘Oh, it must work,’ - it's like with crunches or any step exercise, you can do thousands of them, it doesn’t mean you're going to get anywhere close to having a six-pack. The only reason you going to have a six-pack is if your body fat is low enough. And I can get you a six-pack in 12 weeks too, as long as your diet really hard. Prepare to be really hungry.” People selling products based on your body typeAnother scam or red flag you need to steer clear of are products that are apparently tailored to your body type, and people who sell them.Despite these products having been called out several times, the concept and idea being debunked by certified and licensed nutritionists, people still buy into the idea since it requires less effort.“Be on the lookout for anyone selling any products or programs based on your body type. There is that super-super popular V shred that you see pop up on your feed, these ‘right for body type’ products, or ones made for mesomorphs and ectomorphs and what not. Then this person claims that these certain exercises or dietary methods you should follow for your body type. It’s simple - there is no eating right for your body type. They are trying to say that if you struggle to put on weight, you need to eat more carbs nutrient-dense foods, or more protein, it’s like you need to eat the specific food at this specific time because you are this body type and for XYZ reasons when it’s totally not that way,” says Sean. Uneducated PTs, coaches, and nutritionistsAs certified nutritionists themselves, the Rebuild boys know their way around the health and fitness industry; or at least have learned every step of the way to bring them to where they are now. Having misguided people in their early years as well, they know just how much damage it can cause if you’re not careful while choosing someone who essentially is guiding you and mentoring you through your fitness journey.Sean believes that the majority of PTs need more education.  “There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of PTs think they are way smarter than what they are. People trust their trainer, you are investing a decent amount of money and expecting to get results, so people trust what they say, but in all honesty, PTs, especially ones who're just finishing their course, know nothing.”“They have the ability to learn and to give guidance, what they believe is right to some extent,' James agrees. 'But yeah, just go and learn some more, I mean we have made progress in the stuff we said in the past, but none of it was necessarily harmful.'   

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July 22, 2025
If you live in Wynnum or Capalaba , chances are you’ve seen a bootcamp in action — high-intensity sessions in parks, with lots of burpees, sprints, and shouting. While bootcamps can be a fun way to get sweaty, there’s a reason more people are choosing structured strength training instead. At Rebuild, we often meet people who’ve jumped from one bootcamp to another, chasing results they never quite achieve, or can’t maintain. Here’s why strength training, not bootcamp-style fitness, is the smarter long-term approach for your health and body. 1. Progress Over Punishment Bootcamps often focus on burning calories and pushing people to their limits every session. It feels intense — but it’s usually random. There’s no plan beyond “go hard”. Strength training is different. It’s measured, progressive, and adaptable . Whether you’re lifting a barbell or doing bodyweight movements, the goal is to build skill, strength, and confidence over time. You're not punished for where you're at — you're coached toward where you want to be. 2. Stronger Muscles = Better Results Cardio-heavy bootcamps might help you lose weight quickly, but they rarely help you build muscle, and muscle is the key to long-term fat loss, strength, and mobility . When you train with resistance (weights, bands, or bodyweight), your body becomes more efficient. You burn more calories at rest, move better, and feel more capable in everyday life. And unlike bootcamps, strength training actually preserves lean mass while you're in a calorie deficit — which matters if your goal is body composition, not just weight loss. 3. Individual Coaching Matters Most bootcamps have one instructor yelling instructions to a big group. There’s rarely time to check your technique, let alone adjust for injuries, experience, or confidence levels. At Rebuild, our group sessions are coach-led and purpose-built . We take time to teach proper form, scale movements to your ability, and track your progress. You're not just surviving a workout — you’re learning how to move better and train smarter. 4. It’s Not Just About Today’s Workout Bootcamps often lack structure. You show up, do something exhausting, and leave. There’s no continuity or long-term planning. Strength training follows a programmed approach , meaning each week builds on the last. You’ll have sessions designed to improve specific movements and outcomes — whether that’s lifting more weight, increasing core strength, or mastering your first pull-up. That structure keeps you consistent, motivated, and injury-free. 5. Sustainability Over Shock Tactics If you’re tired of the “go hard or go home” mentality, strength training is for you. It’s adaptable to all ages, bodies, and goals . You’ll get fitter, stronger, and more confident — without burning out or breaking down. Ready to train with purpose? If you're looking for something better than a bootcamp in Wynnum or Capalaba , join us at Rebuild. We coach real people — not fitness models — to get real results. 📍 Structured training 📍 Expert coaches 📍 Community that has your back You don’t need to be fit to start. You just need to start.
July 22, 2025
A lot of people have completed a marathon but how many people have collapsed at 40km?

Sometimes you do everything right, and shit still doesn’t go to plan.
 Last weekend I ran in the Gold Coast Marathon, my first ever marathon. I trained properly, my body felt relatively good (all things considered when preparing to run 42.2km), I carb-loaded, and my race day nutrition was dialled in.
 I was ready.
 We set off. Jess and the kids met me at different points on the course with signs, the atmosphere was great. I loved seeing the kids with their signs. Pacing felt on point. The first 21km? Easy. I felt great. Maybe I should’ve drunk more water, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
 At 25km, I felt slower, but pace wise I was still holding well. I’d kept telling myself throughout the day "The race starts at 30km." And let me tell you, it does.
 By 30km, the sun was out, and I was starting to struggle. My watch started glitching so I had no real idea of my splits. I thought I was slowing down a lot (turns out I wasn’t), but the effort to keep the same pace suddenly felt 10x harder.
 I hadn’t taken on enough water. Usually, I can get away with lower fluids. Not this time. Dehydration crept in. hard.
 At 35km I was in survival mode, one foot in front of the other, flicking between moments of pain and little short lived waves of “let’s go.” But by 39km I was delirious. I could see the finish line, I hit the 40km mark (where I thought enjoyment might return to finish), and I collapsed.
 I was gone. Scary stuff.
 The last few hundred metres were a complete blur. All I remember is the crowd, the medics, and about five paramedics suddenly around me. I was vomiting, shaking, confused, in and out of it. I had this overwhelming, indescribable feeling, and honestly, for a moment, I thought I could die.
 My memory went. I couldn’t recall the day, the year, where I lived, or how to spell. I only knew who Jess and the kids were, and that I didn’t want them to see me with wires in me. 
 My temperature had hit 40°C. Blood pressure crashed. Thankfully, the medics and paramedics were incredible, I had a drip running into me within 10 to 15 minutes.
 As I already knew, I’m stubborn. I wanted to run it all. Not walk. Not stop and breathe and In hindsight, I should have. 
 Seems like my mind was just a bit stronger than my body on the day. I never thought I could push myself there in all honesty. 

Am I gutted? Of course, I was only 2km away but I gave it everything I had on that day. Heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration got me. 

I am always reminded here of the quote ‘The man in the arena’ look it up if you need. 
 Will I run 42.2km again? Yes, I feel I need to. 

Would I do things differently, now I’ve run 40km under race conditions? You bet, lessons learnt. Always lessons. Never be scared to not succeed. Be scared to never try in the first place. 
 We go again.
By Caitlyn Davey July 8, 2025
You Need To Earn The Right To Be Good At Something
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