ACTIVE STATE is a specialist company run by highly respected coach Michael MacFarlane, who is a performance driven professional with extensive experience in the Health & Fitness industry.

As far back as l can remember, living a healthy and active lifestyle, has always been important to me and it’s still something that l’m extremely passionate about today.

With two decades in the industry, Michael has a wealth of knowledge and is a leading industry trainer. His career has taken him and his clients all over the world.

He has a rich and varied clientele which includes;

- People looking to improve their health, fitness and wellbeing

- Strength & conditioning departments of AFL and NRL clubs

- Corporate companies looking to implement fitness programs for their employees

Michael strives to create a community where camaraderie is paramount whilst also providing avid adventurers with the strength and skills to crush their bucket list goals.

MELANIE

“I’ve been training with Michael for over 5 years and I don’t only consider him to be the best fitness coach but he’s also a friend. Michael isn’t your typical trainer, he doesn’t need to yell at you or guilt you to get results. You want to train because he inspires you and cares, he pushes just hard enough so you find that good hurt, you’re pleasantly exhausted and he’s always good for a laugh too. He’ll work around your fitness level or energy levels and your goals become his personal mission. Over the many years my strength, cardio fitness, tone & waistline has continued to improve and as a 30-something year old female that is no easy feat!  No two sessions are ever the same and he seems to have an endless bag of tricks to keep the training fresh, tough & fun. Each week at the end of training I tell Michael “that was horrible, hard and AWESOME!” It’s a true love/hate relationship that is still going strong.”

TIFFANY

“I have been training with Michael for several years now, through both Personal Training & Outdoor Group Training. After spending 12 months in Canada I had put on 15kgs and was hoping to lose majority of this weight. The journey started slowly but I soon came to learn that to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle, I needed a change in my thinking. Thankfully I had Michael as a trainer who has always been encouraging and motivating. Before I knew it, I had achieved my goal of weight loss and was feeling fitter than I ever had.

Michael changed my mindset, and even outside of my training sessions, I am continuously thinking of new ways to improve my fitness and health thanks to Michael’s experience, knowledge and positivity.”

JEFF

“Training with Michael is an absolute pleasure and always a great experience.He is constantly encouraging me on my weight loss (50kgs to date) journey. The training, while intense, was fun and interactive. I never knew what to expect when working out with Michael, in either the one on one or the group training sessions.  Michael is one of those trainers who is generally interested in making sure that you achieve your goals. He pushes you in each session to ensure you get the best results from it.

I would highly recommend Michael to anyone who is looking for a challenge and to get great results from your workouts.”

ROSS

“Michael has been my trainer for the best part of a decade now. That says something in itself. 

What a journey it has been. I started out wanting to improve my overall health and being what I call fit for life. Michael has been my trainer for over a decade now. I'm now in my early 60's (yes old) and that's me in one of the pictures having just pushed 165kg on the sled over 20 metres. 

Three years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and Michael was instrumental in getting me in shape for the operation and the rehab that followed. As if that was not enough, early last year I was told that I had a 75% chance of liver cancer.  Michael's efforts once again helped prepare me for the operation. As it turned out I did not have cancer this time. My rehab this time has been much greater and Michael has been there every step of the way. 

Pushing that sled was like a celebration of what we have achieved together. My fitness would not be where it is without Michael's support. He is a great PT, a great family man and I'm proud to call him my friend.”

NICOLE

"I've been a client of Michael's for over 5yrs now. In this time Michael has taught me so much about fitness and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. I've learnt the importance of changing my way of life rather than crash diets. Michael is always a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fitness and nutrition. Through his hard work, dedication and his willingness to adapt to my health issues along the way; I've lost 20kgs. I recently walked down the aisle to become Mrs Walsh and l can honestly say, l've never felt better.  Over the years, I had tried to lose this weight by myself with no success; and have no doubt that I wouldn't have been able to do it without him and his belief in me. 

I would highly recommend Michael for anyone who is looking to live a happier, healthier and longer life.”

ED

“Mike has been my PT for the last 12 years – in that time he has kept our sessions fun and varied enough to keep me interested and coming back for more. Because of Mike’s great work I am fitter and stronger in my late 40’s than I was in my 20’s!”

OWEN

“I have been training with Michael MacFarlane coming up 10 years now. Michael has tailored an individual weekly program that is challenging and manages to push me to my limits. He has made me stronger and fitter than I have ever, ever been. This is a great achievement considering I am hitting my mid 50's.

Michael is skilled and able to work around any injury limitations, but still strengthens and works you harder than you think you can. I now hate the word "sled" but even so, I can't wait for my next PT session.”

DAVID

“In the 2 years that l trained with Michael MacFarlane he has taken me from a weakling with no energy to literally the top of a mountain! When l first went to the gym and worked with Michael l gave him my ambition to hike the Inca Trail and see the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu.

Six months later after following his training program, lunging and lifting weights for England, boxing, cardio and belly exercises, l had achieved that goal. It is a good idea to have a goal when you start training in my opinion.

It's also completely essential to have a great trainer!  I found working with Michael a wonderful experience and a good time. As we finished our last session prior to his return to Australia, 

l worked out that over 4 workouts a week for near on 2 years, the weights that l was now lifting compared to when l started were at least twice as heavy, that my leg strength had tripled and that my arms were certainly larger than when l started.

I really appreciate you help Michael and wish you all the best in the future.

I am sure we will meet again, maybe up a mountain!”

Ben

“I've known and been a client of Michael's for the last 10 years. He was instrumental in helping me keep focused regarding both my physical and mental fitness. Being able to tap into his experience and passion for healthy living was huge, particularly during some tough times. He has a great understanding of when to push you, just when you think you've got nothing left in the tank, or when to ease off slightly. Through goal setting and building performance, he has helped me professionally as well. However, aside from all this expertise, he's a good person. Whether it was completing Spartan races together, outdoor training sessions or in the gym, Michael is always up for a laugh and banter...which makes the experience more bearable! I couldn't recommend Michael highly enough…”

Penny

“The best shape of my life was when I was training with Michael. The only reason I’m no longer a client any more is I moved. Michael is an absolute professional. Very knowledgeable and inspiring. I highly recommend Michael.”

Claire

“I have been privileged to complete three epic adventures with Michael (Active State); The Kokoda Track in PNG, Everest Base Camp in Nepal and The Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory. In the lead up to all three, and throughout the experiences, the support and encouragement shown by Michael was the differentiating factor between completion and not. Each have been life changing in their own special way! I can't wait for the next one.”

KERRI

“I would recommend Michael in a heartbeat... He is kind, caring, compassionate and can help anyone achieve their goals. No matter your fitness level or lack of, he will adopt your workout accordingly. And then he will kick your butt, but in a good way, so you won’t give up!”

Helen

“Michael is an excellent trainer, motivating my less than enthusiastic self to lose - and keep off - the kilos. He trained me through my pregnancy, taking great care to make sure I stayed motivated while my body shifted its focus to my baby. After my little boy was born, Michael trained me again, getting me to a higher level of fitness than I had ever achieved before. I highly recommend Michael as a trainer.”

Clare

“I’ve been training with Michael for almost 5 years now and really enjoy coming to along to training - even in winter! It is always a great combination of running, boxing and strength work. Michael makes sure that each session is a little different to keep things interesting and to challenge us. Highly recommend trying outdoor training!”

Chris

“I have been a personal training client of Michael's for more than 10 years. He's guided, encouraged and cajoled me to push myself to achieve high levels of personal fitness and strength. His PT sessions are always tough, but at the end of my allotted time, I'm always surprised and proud of what I've been able to accomplish.

Michael takes care to develop training sessions that are well-suited to my needs; never easy, but always achievable (just). He'll mix thing up to keep the training interesting, and is flexible and accommodating with the scheduling of appointments.. Heavy weights, cardio, boxing, and comprehensive weigh-ins are covered in personal sessions, plus he runs popular and well-attended outdoor group sessions.

I highly recommend Michael. He is very friendly and engaging, and a true professional. If you're prepared to put in the effort, you'll be rewarded by the results you'll achieve with his training.”

Annett

“Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 100km is a perfect example, that would not have happened for me without you, your Outdoor Group Training and Day Hike community. I wouldn't have thought of attempting it and am now really proud of having a go and finishing. Over the years your OGT sessions were at times the only exercise I did. It was an affordable, efficient and fun way to retain a level of fitness that I could later build on once my kids got older and I was able to get more time for myself. Thanks for your continual support, motivation and friendship.”

Ben

“Michael is a fantastic trainer. He knows what he is doing and is an expert at helping people achieve their goals, whatever they are. His own personal career as an elite athlete means he knows first hand what it takes to outperform and reach your peak. Whatever your training goal is, Michael can help you achieve it.”

Rosie

“I have been working with Michael for nearly 2 years and I couldn’t have succeeded without his help. Michaels drive and passion to help his clients achieve their goals is clear every time you catch up with him. When you feel like giving up Michael is right there pushing you and encouraging you for that last 5 metres or the last 5 reps. I recommend Michael to everyone I know because he is fantastic at what he does and I am lucky to have him as my trainer and a friend.”

Daryl

“I have travelled with Michael to both Everest Base Camp & Larapinta in the past 12 months and on both occasions the professionalism, organisation and camaraderie of the assembled group was all first class and made for an unforgettable experience. Anyone thinking of trekking with Michael should just do it!!”