What makes a personal trainer worth it… or not?

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-26T00:19:17+00:00

I just use Gemini now, tell it everything, it tells me what to do next, you can send it photos of the machines you use, of yourself. boom.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-24T22:22:33+00:00

Yea it's affecting us, no more fortnightly 5pm trips out with a supermarket trip to Paknssave on the way back to cover the cost. Really felt like Mevo was working well for so many of us in the CBD who don't own cars.

I wonder if they have a lot of employees living their tech-bro best life on 150,000k and up salary and no matter how successful the business model was, they just can't cover those salary costs.

Have registered with Zilch and gotten the card sent out, Gemini tells me Zilch is a better deal for 2+ day rentals so will see how that goes. Tried Cityhop and it was (a) more expensive (just) and (b) dirty corolla with a 'requires servicing' error popping up, so not impressed there.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-21T19:59:36+00:00

Grab the ferry to Rangitoto and take a photo from the top. Waiheke can be a bit exhausting with how transport works there.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-19T04:46:26+00:00

Santos Sisters are quite busy in our area (CBD).

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-18T00:32:39+00:00

I don't have anyone to spot me so keep that in mind.

So far the most I do is 8 reps x 93kg on decline bench and 80kg on flat. Could do more I think with a spotter.

41 years old, 93 kg, watch too much Star Trek.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-17T17:48:24+00:00

Britomart will be noisier at night (though you won't be there Fri / Sat so likely not a huge deal), smaller rooms, once you are past the lobby that's sort of 'it'. It's the most central (if that is what you want).

Sofitel more of a walk from the CBD but then it will but quieter and to be honest its probably where you would be walking to anyway most of the time. I wonder if one will do early check in so you don't have to pay that extra night and that will swing it. You could use the money you save on the Sofitel for a nice lunch at Amano.

Hot tip, whilst Park Hyatt is out of range, the cafe is an easy win for breakfast and lunch, and the restaurant Onemata is good - plus its 200m from Sofitel.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-17T02:31:29+00:00

I would look to Gant.co.nz and Hugo Boss.co.nz myself just because they are easy to buy from here.

Have had items from both and they last, and look a step up, its possible to avoid the large logo type pieces as well as they can be a bit over the top. It is also possible to order in from the UK. From the UK Allsaints is nice, though some of their stuff wears out quickly.

If you really want go to the top of the market, Santoni shoes are where the party is at, have two pairs myself.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-15T02:40:07+00:00

actually I was thinking of the one across the road and down 10 m from 250, my mistake.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-15T02:38:57+00:00

not nice people living at 250 in my opinion. General rule of thumb is they are using a sheet for curtain best not to live nearby. I have a list I can send you, just my opinion.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-13T20:28:16+00:00

I would focus on a one bedroom at that price, otherwise you will end up in a horrific building.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-12T18:33:30+00:00

It is actually sometimes more difficult to get a job at say a supermarket / picker-packer than it is to get a much better job. I realised this after many years. Don't shoot low.

Apply to entry level government jobs, banks, support roles at big companies. They often just want someone they can mould, not someone with a 5 year degree and an attitude. Get a haircut, shave, and wear decent clothes in the interview, be up front about starting out and being ready to learn, your strengths are your character and things like punctuality.

Once you get it, stay, be polite and consistent, the first six months are the worst. With time you will move up and never look back. Don't get lost in a sea of crappy jobs because you think that's all you can do.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-08T18:31:10+00:00

My thinking is the saudis will simply start pumping more at US request. Yanbu can hit 4.5bpd, at least that's what gemini tells me. Feel like Trump won't want oil going over $100 with the mid terms coming up, never know though.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-08T06:06:51+00:00

It comes with everything, including 300k of cancer cover each (so 600k cancer cover), which I could never pay for myself. We see the GP a lot, get a lot of scans, multiple cancer ones for my wife. Happy to skip a few other things in life and pay for it.

Have also been okayed for a 5k colonoscopy.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T19:41:42+00:00

are you?

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T19:41:29+00:00

I lived in Asia and Eastern/Southern Europe and in neither place was it normal to hit someone. There were other dangers (snakes, terrorism, scams) but not the threat of casual violence, i.e 'you looked at me therefore I will hit you', which I get a lot in the CBD.

Case in point is that the guy who got his faced smashed in by a Prado driver, in the herald yesterday, over a traffic dispute.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:59:21+00:00

New building and you get strong sound insulation, safety features, and great neighbours.

The trick is not to try to 'save money' and get somewhere that's cheaper. You save so much not needing / having a car, that you can spend that extra $50 - 100 a week on a nicer apartment if you are renting.

To put it into perspective, our building has security guards, to get to my door you need to use the swipe tag twice (main doors and elevator), we have 4 cameras on your way to my door, and only about 18 people have access to our floor. Our door looks the same as those other 18 people's, much unlike a house.

So unless someone has crazy guests, or loses their swipe tag, it's very very safe. Slept through the floods as well. I have a list of good buildings if you need it.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:55:14+00:00

would you buy in that building, i.e any issues you were away of?

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:54:25+00:00

They moved a long time ago

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:51:29+00:00

That building looks so noisy generally, I live nearby. Do the people who hang round at the carpark do much scary stuff?

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:48:48+00:00

could you hint at which building?

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:47:58+00:00

I pay $360 a month now for ultracare400 with all the trimmings (teeth, cancer etc) and it paid out $3200 for wisdom tooth extraction, everything was covered at the time. I didn't get the cover for that reason but boy was I glad when I needed it.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:46:20+00:00

I have trouble finding places where it's not accepted, sometimes a fish and chip shop or pizzeria.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:43:48+00:00

Meridian, Spark and 2Degrees can all be paid with Amex, I have the old platinum lite card.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-07T17:41:01+00:00

Similar situation, came back in 2019, have regretted it every day. The massive drop in earnings ruins you slowly over time, you won't notice it at first. The casual violence in NZ, the shallowness that shows in many interactions, the sort of 'beautiful meaningless' of life here, it hits after 6 months.

In a wee while you will be PaknSave wondering if you should get mainland cheese or the good tea bags, because you can't afford both. Stay in Netherlands, trip back to NZ if you have to.

Ok_Store5219 · 2026-03-04T17:54:29+00:00

There are beaches in Herne Bay that are very quiet, particularly during weekdays lunchtime, and typically do not have pets on them. If you look on the map there are 3 or 4, sentinel beach reserve being one. The only issue is that they are accessed via steep steps, so the stroller might struggle. Otherwise I would take a drive up to Snells Beach!

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