Playing up:

Using resistance machines, like the chest press, leg press, lateral pull down and hip abductor, participants work alongside a trainer to complete exercises which focus on all major muscle groups. The difference is that each exercise is performed at snail's pace until the muscles have run out of steam. With the low impact and a room set at a cool 17 degrees, the potential of sweating through your Sunday best is reduced, as is the need to shower when you get home.

Giving it a bash
fit20's promotional material strangely reveals participants working out in business attire; my wardrobe for this occasion was a combination of cat hair-speckled couch wear and workout gear. The average fit20 session begins with a series of questions about medical history and the signing of a waiver. It is said that the first consultation often creeps past the 20-minute mark because more time is spent adjusting equipment and finding the sweet spot for muscle fatigue, something that should happen before the two-minute mark. First up was the chest press. fit20 instructor James Miller explained that the weight should be pushed in one slow and fluid motion without jerking or acceleration. As well as focusing on technique he counted down each repetition over 20 seconds. Keeping the controlled pace was far harder than expected, and James wasn't shy about letting me know when the momentum was off. The weight started off reasonable, though like regular weight training, each drawn-out motion gradually became harder. At the point when you've reached the limit of fatigue, one final rep is held for 10 seconds to really drill it home. The static hold provided some deep muscle shaking and a pleasant burning sensation. Across the lateral pulldown, core press and back extension my heart rate and breathing crept up considerably. After the leg press I needed a few seconds to compose before stumbling to the next machine. And just like the brochure, I remained at a comfortable temperature without losing a drop of sweat.