Frequently Asked Questions

You are not bound into a contract with The Hidden Gym. This means that you can cease training at anytime. Payments are made every monthl and repeat on the same day of the month on which your first payment was made. You have the right to cancel these payments. Simply send me an email. On cancelling your payment you will be deactivated from the mobile app at the end of that current payment period. Your records will be saved so that you can rejoin at anytime.

Yes, you can change your programme at anytime. The most common reasons for changing is when people’s needs change, for example;

• Someone is on the Let’s Get Started and they feel they have progressed enough to up their game and move to Let’s Get Serious which is more demanding.

Online Personal Training has proven to be extremely effective. However, as with face to face personal training, online personal training is only effective if you actually do the work and follow the programme.

It’s great for providing you with extra motivation, accountability, it teaches you to take control and track your own progress.  It is also much more cost effective than face to face personal training and the workouts can be fitted into your schedule rather than your trainer’s.

If you are unsure if you are doing an exercise correctly, you can send me a video of you performing it either in the Facebook Group (standard) or via the in-app messenger (bespoke).

There are different levels of accountability depending on what type of membership you have.

Premium Membership is for those who feel they need a high level of accountability and the sense that someone is watching over them. There are weekly check-ins in the Facebook Community group and this is also where achievements are celebrated too The group provides friendship and support in a private space. Penny will be tracking your progress too and rest assured if those workouts don’t get done, she’ll be chasing you up, not to slap your wrists, but to offer encouragement and help.

Premium members have direct, private messaging with Penny on the app.

Basic Membership is for those who feel they are able to work more independently and are happy to communicate with Penny in a more public space (In-app, programme specific group). They can still ask for help and support when needed but generally tend to get along fine working on their own. 

Basic members do all their communications with Penny in the in-app group.

Yes!  Many of my clients have current or past injuries that affect what types of exercises they can do.  Generally this is just a case of adjusting some of your exercises accordingly. All issues such as this are dealt with in the Facebook Group so that everyone gets the benefit of the adjustments or alternatives I suggest. It’s very likely that someone in the group has the same issue as you!  

Because your workout are grouped according to difficulty, if you have to have some time off from training, you can move back to some earlier/easier workouts when you return. If you are on the Basic programme you organise this yourself. If you are on the Deluxe programme I will adjust your workouts for you.

Injury or a chronic condition is rarely a reason to put a hold on physical activity. Often times it is these issues that are a motivating factor in people wanting to become fitter. I am qualified to provide exercise adaptations that account for any injuries or conditions that a client may have.  In many cases exercise can help rehabilitate post injury and sometimes resolve chronic conditions , furthermore it can help you learn how to prevent future injury and halt the progress of many physical conditions.

Where I feel an issue warrants further advice or investigation I will refer you to a physiotherapist or other medical practitioner.

In order to see improvements in your fitness you will need to exercise regularly. However it is equally important to give your body time to rest in between exercise sessions. This is when all the good work is done as it allows your body to recover and regenerate. Without rest you will not become fitter and stronger. The secret is getting the right balance between exercise sessions and rest. In general you should aim to do a strength workout 3 times per week and on the other days a small amount of cardio, stretching, yoga, swimming or simply going for a walk.

If you have weight loss as a goal then it’s important that you exercise alongside any dietary changes that you make. Weight loss is a complex subject and my approach is to tackle it via working on improving the nutritional content of the food you eat.  I don’t separate those clients with a weight-loss goal from those who just want to improve the nutritional value of their food. All members of The Hidden Gym are subscribed to my email course “Ditch the Diet and Reclaim Health” unless they specifically request not to be. 

Nutrition and weight loss is something that will be regularly discussed in the Facebook Group. I give no garuantees, but many of my clients have lost weight and kept it off and all without counting calories, ever!