Fitness challenge: Test reveals weaknesses

Personal trainer Christian Baldia watches Ged Cann work through the functional movement tests.

I first joined a gym when I was 17 and that was mostly because it was cheap and had a hot tub.

Since then I have taken the gym slightly more seriously but never bothered to learn properly how to use one. I always saw the price of a personal trainer and thought 'meh, I've been picking up heavy things all my life, I think I have a handle on technique'.

Coming to terms with the need and how expensive a personal trainer might be is key I think, to anyone looking to gain muscle. Think of it as an investment - once you know how to do things right you can do most exercises on your own.

It's like being taught to bake bread. Anyone can throw flour and water in an oven, but you're not going to impress any girls with the outcome unless you get taught some technique.

By seeking out help you are not only shown new exercises, but you also inevitably find out how many you have been doing can be improved.

I was put in contact with personal trainer Christian Baldia at Advance Wellness & Physiotherapy at 477 Victoria St.

My first session with Christian was spent conducting a functional movement screen, which consisted of everyday movements made suddenly and inexplicably difficult.

For example, to assess my hurdle step I had to step over a piece of wood at knee height without turning the hip. Turns out this is actually quite difficult. I was also assessed for shoulder mobility, trunk stability and rotary stability among other things.

I passed most without difficulty until we got to active straight leg raises, which revealed I had shockingly tight hamstrings and a lack of hip mobility. Anyone who does power-lifting exercises will know how important both of these are. The process for loosening them up will fill a whole diary entry in future.

At the beginning of the session I was a little frustrated. I was eager to get going and pick up some heavy stuff, but after Christian explained the importance of the screening it all began to make sense.

For this first foray into the gym I would just want to advocate for starting from zero and having a similar screening done or at least having a personal trainer give you some instruction. Advance Wellness Centre is at 711 Victoria Street. For more information about the services they offer see www.advancephysio.co.nz