Something Fractured at the Gym Quiz

Answer: Pilates

Joseph Pilates created the form of exercise that bears his name in the 1920s. The practice places an emphasis on breathing, core strength and good posture as the way to physical fitness.

Answer: medicine ball

Medicine balls can be found in various weights, to accommodate varying levels of ability and strength. Challenging workouts involving lunges, "wood chops", halos (describing a circle around the head whilst holding a heavy ball) and other maneuvers can be performed.

Answer: TRX

When I asked my trainer what TRX stood for, she didn't know, but that was when the studio first got the suspension training gear. I've since found it referred to as "Total Resistance eXercise" (my caps), which makes sense. It's simple looking, being a strap suspended from a hook in the ceiling, which separates part way down to provide hand grips (or sometimes foot grips) for the person exercising to hold on to.

A variety of exercises, including curls, push ups, rows both narrow and wide and much more can be performed.

It can be tough, but fun, and is a favourite of mine.

Answer: bosu

In appearance, a bosu resembles a large, bouncy ball, cut in half and given a hard plastic flat bottom. It is another simple piece of equipment that can be used for a myriad of exercises, including core work and balance work.

Answer: kettlebell

Kettlebells are weights that look like a ball with a handle on top. They can be used in a variety of exercises and come in a variety of weights. Personally, I'm always afraid I'll drop the dear thing on my foot.

Answer: biofoam roller

Biofoam rollers are beneficial instruments of torture, that one can inflict upon oneself. Rollers vary in size, up to about 36 inches (90 cm) in length, and are cylindrical in shape. Rolling out the shoulders and upper back can be quite soothing, while working on the IT band can be quite painful (though the benefits are worth it). I should use the one that I have more often than I do!

Note: A rowel is that spiky thing that spins around on a cowboy's spur.

Answer: Yoga poses

There are many, many, many named Yoga poses, and I can seldom remember more than one or two at a time, and have to be reminded how to do them. I'm OK with Downward Dog and Child's Pose, but have to think about Warrior, Half Dragonfly and all those other ones that are eluding me just now.

Answer: balance

Balance is something one needs to do anything useful on top of a bosu, or some of the other pieces of equipment. Finding a focal point and staring at it obsessively often works for me, as does engaging core and not letting my head run away from what I'm trying to do. Balance can also be useful when riding the bus.

Answer: stationary bicycle

They might have different names for the fancy indoor bikes they use for spin classes nowadays, but "stationary bicycle" was easiest to fracture. These items are not my friends, as I have managed to fall off on occasion, and hate having my toes trapped in those little cages on the pedals. Give me a "real" bike any day.

Answer: personal trainer

A personal trainer can be a very important person. In my case I need one to keep me exercising, as left to my own devices, I'll slack off and I know it. Others use personal training to prepare for specific events or to lose weight or recover from injury, to name a few good reasons.