Here we explain some of the terminology and concepts you may hear about

The area of Personal Training and Personal Fitness is one surrounded by terminology. Much of it based on science and fact, yet as in most areas it has it's fair share of marketing jargon. Here we will outline many of the terms and concepts you may come across and explain them for what they are.

Personal Trainer

An individual qualified to teach exercise on a one-to-one basis.

Cardio-vascular training

Exercise of specific intensity to stimulate an increase in heart rate and breathing rate.

Primal Movement Patterns

The 7 key movements of the body that we look at when assessing and implementing a fitness training programme. They are: Squat, Lunge, Pushing, Pulling, Rotation, Bending and Gait. These are the primary movements of the body that you should always include in a training programme.

Dynamic Warm up

A range of movement drills that will be part of your warm up routine. Following a gentle 5 minute walk/bike/run we will instruct a 'dynamic' warm up. This primarily prepares the body for the movements of your exercise programme under a low load. The movements may include with a medicine ball: Squat, lunge, rotations, chops and a shoulder drill with very light dumb bells including: arm circles, overhead pressing, lateral raises etc.

Fitness assessment/testing

Every new member at Mint Condition will undergo some kind of initial 'assessment'. This can be very comprehensive including any of the following: Blood pressure, resting pulse, exercising pulse, lung function test, cardiovascular fitness, VO2 max, body composition, weight, measurements, movement screens, flexibility, range of movement to name a few.

Fitness Consultation

Normally a half an hour initial conversation discussing key goals and objectives for your health and fitness. A few key indicators will be established and reviewed then on a regular basis. The initial consultation is a key part of your new fitness programme.

Fitness programme design

Your trainer will design a specific fitness programme bespoke to your key goals and objectives this will be constantly reviewed for effectiveness. Reviews are carried out at least once per month. Variables of modalities, time allocations, variation of repetitions or sets will be carefully reviewed.

Repetitions

The number of each exercise you are likely to do. This is then multiplied with an number of sets too. For example: 3x10 would mean doing 10 of each exercise 3 times with a rest period between each set. Rest periods may vary depending on the goals and objectives.

Sets

The number of repeats of each exercise you are required to do. For example 1 set, 2 sets, 3 sets or more.

Free weights

The terminology used to describe a weight or load that has no attachment to any other object. I the gym this is likely to be a dumb bell or medicine ball. At Mint Condition we use exclusively free weights and cable machines to promote joint strength and stabilisation throughout and exercise programme.

Cable Machines

A fixed gym station that has a pulley system attached to a load. The cables plain of movement is variable therefore promoting additional joint stabilisation and therefore greater joint health. Loads can be incrementally changed through adjustment of a pin in a stack of weights connected to the pulley system. At Mint Condition we use equipment manufactured by Technogym and Cybex International.