Matt Benfell

Founder & Head Coach

Matt began his coaching journey 15 years ago in London as a Personal Trainer and Reformer Pilates Instructor. His journey continued with a move to Sydney and, for the past 10 years, Singapore.

Since then his dedication to ongoing education has become the cornerstone of his coaching approach. Driven to demystify weight loss for the masses, Thrive was born, a place free from the usual weight loss confusion and BS.

Today, Thrive embodies Matt's vision: to help people manage their health and weight independently through education.

Over a decade of courses, mentorships, workshops, seminars, and hands-on experience have shaped his, and what has now become, Thrive's methodology. Matt takes a deep dive into each client's unique journey, focusing on gradual behavioural change for long-term, lasting results.

“The health and fitness world is full of misinformation. It not only confuses people, it leaves them with no results for their efforts, Thrive was created to change that.”

Welcome to Thrive, where we're revolutionising how fitness is done in Singapore and beyond.

What our clients say

  • I have thoroughly enjoyed my training journey with Matt. I am continuously getting stronger alongside his full body structured program.

    He has an immense knowledge in his profession and trains with a laser focus on correct technique. He is always learning himself and takes pride in making sure he is never stagnant in approach. Programs are continuously changing to keep it interesting yet focused on key muscles groups with clients goals in mind.

    Matt definitely takes a holistic approach to training clients. Combining weights, movement, nutritional advice and a focus on rest and recovery. He is not a one size fits all trainer.

    He is mindful in designing programs that take into account individuals personal and professional situations. I travel a lot with work and have demands with young kids at home that impact sleep and overall energy levels most of the time. All of which he factors into sessions with interval intensity and exercise selection. This is rare in personal trainers.

    I would 100% recommend Matt Benfell if you are looking for a senior PT in Singapore.

  • Having had a handful of negative experiences with personal training in the past, to say I had a fraught relationship with working out and the gym would have been understatement. So the fact that Matt helped me learn to enjoy exercise, is that much more miraculous.

    He's also been so open and vulnerable about his own fitness journey, which in turn made me feel safe to speak about my insecurities and shattered several of the preconceived notions I had around what success looks and feels like.

    I couldn't recommend him, and his sustainable approach to fitness, enough!

  • Matt is the most knowledgeable trainer I’ve ever come across, with a focus not on temporary ‘quick fixes’ but making sustainable lifestyle changes with permanent results. His knowledge on physical and nutritional health for fitness is unmatched. If you’re looking to start your fitness journey or if you’re on it and looking to progress I can’t recommend Matt and his team more!

Qualifications & Certifications

  • - Premier Advanced Personal Trainer Diploma, Premier Global NASM, Issued Sep 2010
    - Anatomy, Execution & Biomechanics for Trainers, (N1 Education)
    - Anatomy, Biomechanics & Programming (Modern Meathead, Ben Yanes)
    - Muscle Mechanics (Eugene Teo)
    - Muscle Nerds (Level 1)
    - Gymnastics Bodies (Level 1)
    - Strength Training for Fat Loss (Nick Tumminello)
    - Science to Gym Floor Level 1 (JPS)

  • - The Essentials of Sport and Exercise Nutrition (Precision Nutrition)
    - Nutrition for Physique Athletes, (Clean Health Australia)
    - Advanced Considerations in Diet and Training (Renaissance Periodization)

  • - Jeff Alberts - Online Mentor (3DMJ)
    - Stéphane Cazeault - Program Design Mentorship (Kilo Strength Society)