These five finalists will compete for the Fitness Person of the Year 2012 in the Hotelier Middle East Awards to be held on October 31 at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC.
Below you will find extracts and testimonials from the shortlisted nominations for each of the five candidates...
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Ryan Bertrum Gelderbloem, InterContinental Regency Hotel Bahrain
About Ryan
Ryan Gelderbloem hails from Port Elizabeth in South Africa. His tertiary education was on pursuing a Diploma Program in Sports Management and Physical Recreation from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth but was not able to complete this due to financial strains. However, Ryan is determined to succeed against all odds so with his own initiatives, he managed to obtain Kinesis Certification and also achieved being a Certified Fitness Trainer with International Sport Science Association (ISSA), an American Sports Institute. He also completed a Strength and Conditioning Certificate, through American Fitness Professional Association (ASFA), Group Exercise Leadership (GEL) Course TRX Suspension Training Certificate both through Mefitpro in the Middle East. In his younger years, Ryan has been nominated as Sportsman of the Year during his Alexandria High School Years and was nominated for the same during his stint with Rhodes University. He achieved Full Colour for Karate, a Black Belt Instructor, part of the South African Goju Kai Colour National team and had represented the country to the International World Karate Tournament in India, where the team won Gold and silver awards. Among his other sports activities earlier on included being Vice Captain for Rugby team, Captain for Tennis Team, and Captain for Cricket Team. He had previously worked in gyms and universities in South Africa. For his career progression, he moved to Bahrain in 2007 when he joined the Pre Opening Team of Banyan Tree Dessert Spa & Resort, then later joined the InterContinental Regency Bahrain as Gym Instructor in 2009 and was later promoted in 2011 as Recreation Supervisor cum Gym Instructor / Personal Trainer.
Above and beyond the call of duty…
Ryan is a person who works hard for the success of his department. He creates energetic Fitness Menu classes and able to deliver both group and personal training sessions with the clientele. These actions had greatly generated revenue for the Health Club team, enabling them to achieve their monthly targets month after month, even during the period of economic downturn. Ryan’s vigilance and dependability was highly lauded by the InterContinental Regency Bahrain and the Corporate IHG headquarters when he saved a child from drowning in the Kid’s Pool of the Hotel in May 2011. His efficiency, quick action and readiness for emergency had not only saved the little girl’s life but also the lives of her family from distress. This was a very courageous act which gained him recognition not only from the Hotel but also from the society. Ryan, who has the natural charisma for the members is equally enamored with his passion for his Colleagues, the people who works with him in the Team. He ensures that each of the Gym attendants is also professionally developed as himself. He spends his spare time coaching them on how to do gym activities, physical assessments, etc. Ryan is a go getter, capitalising on his greatest assets - his passion and drive, doing the right thing with the Winning Ways values, he makes things happen and see to it that it happens right and successful.
Testimonials for Ryan
“Ryan is definitively an asset to the organisation. He passionately loves his work and is equally concern on the well being of his colleagues. He leads the Colleagues Sports & Recreation Committee where he keeps the whole hotel team engaged with all year round sports tournaments, recreation and health activities. His organization and team collaboration is simply amazing. The team adores his humility as well”. Mohammed Sanad, director of human resources, InterContinental Regency Bahrain
“Ryan is very active and supportive in the team. He does his tasks even without being told and works without supervision. He always shows a great interest to make his work tasks better on daily basis.”
Lolita Sarengo assistant health club manager, InterContinental Regency Health Club - Bahrain
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Oct 29, 2012 , United Arab Emirates
Finally I have come across one fitness trainer in Dubai whom i can trust completely. Mr Manmohan welcomes each and every member of the gym with same warmth and his positive energy and gives the feel of having second your home. Guys I would recommend people who are fitness freak to to do your trai...
Oct 26, 2012 , United Arab Emirates
He is a very good trainer who he always makes you push your limits and want to achieve more...he is fun to work with and really passionate about his job..if you have any question about fitness or healthy he is the right person to approach.. he really deserves to win this competition..