TRAINER'S
VIEW
CHARLES QUINN
LEVEL 3 PERSONAL TRAINER
Ponds Forge Sport Centre in
Sheffield was quick off the
mark with Prama, introducing
the system in 2015. Charles
Quinn, a Level 3 Personal
Trainer based there, gave us
his view on it.
Prama works by giving the
client a way of training like no
other, by changing thought
processes.
It makes exercise seem more
'fun' with the use of lights and
sounds and by giving
on-the-day challenges which
can be undertaken right there
and then.
A wide variety of clients use it
– we have school groups using
it alongside stroke survivors and
disabled clients who use it to
help improve their fitness when
they would struggle with some
of the other equipment we offer.
It’s easy to use as long as the
instructor has had the training
required, and is willing to play
around with the programming
element. That took a little while
to get to grips with b ut now feels
very easy to operate.
It does crash, as technology
does sometimes, but it is very
easy to get back up and running.
As with any IT-based product,
if there is a fault with the system,
it requires support which can
lead to a day or two of
downtime, as it is not something
that can be repaired by our
on-site team.
For clients, there is a steep
learning curve until you become
more familiar with the
technology. We always get
people who require help with it.
I have found the younger
members like it rather more than
the older generation. For those
that aren’t keen, it can be a
‘
It does
crash, as
technology
does
sometimes.
distraction, though not enough
to put people off exercise.
Prama generally creates that
competitive atmosphere which
we, as trainers, are always trying
to bring out of people – trying to
push them for one more rep or
to go heavier. With Prama,
everyone always wants to beat
each other’s scores.
It has provided me with a new
tool that can be used to engage
people who may not want to use
the other pieces of equipment.
HOW IS PRAMA STANDING OUT?
Interactive floor markings
Users can train more
independently thanks to
a large amount of
pre-configured workouts and
the area can be used when no
classes are scheduled, with
the ability to register, save
and/or share their progress.
Control
The music, lighting and
images can be configured,
giving trainers complete
control with one application.
They can show videos of
exercises on the main screen
or at each station, guiding the
user through the session.
Heart rate comparison
Users can register and monitor
using their own device.
The software will then collect
their data to compare it to the
rest of participants, guiding the
intensity of the session based
on individual goals.
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