Halifax Medical Exercise Training

I highly recommend Terry Hunter and HalMET – Halifax Medical Exercise Training for anyone looking for help transitioning from physio to workouts or for guidance with strength training to manage chronic conditions. Terry offers a specialized form of personal training that focuses on those who have been diagnosed with chronic ailments (like arthritis, back problems, diabetes, joint injury or replacement) or on those recovering from injury or illness and who would like help transitioning from rehabilitation to managing their condition and enjoying a fit and healthy lifestyle. As a Medical Exercise Specialist, Terry will design an exercise programs specific to your diagnosis. He takes a whole body approach, incorporating exercises that target your condition and improve general muscle strength and balance. He also provides guidance on preventing flare ups while going about your daily activities. Terry has been a member of my recovery team since January 2014, helping me with stress relief, strength training and with the osteoarthritis in my knees that has been impeding my daily activities. He has worked in combination with my doctors,physiotherapist and massage therapist and I have graduated from physio, massage or osteopathy on a bi-weekly basis to working with my trainer twice a week and only occasionally visiting the other members of my ‘team’. My doctor is a supporter of collaborative health care and the addition of Terry to the team has been a key aspect in my improved health.

In late August 2018 I started having lower back pain that was sufficiently bothersome that I consulted my family doctor about it. He ordered a CT scan of my lumbar area which indicated various lumbar vertebrae issues. I knew Terry Hunter of Halifax Medical Exercise Training (Halmet) from working out at the gym that he operates from. I told him about my back pain, showed him a copy of the CT scan report, and asked him if he would be able to provide some exercise training that would ease the back pain. Terry studied the CT scan and did an assessment. He recommended that he conduct a series of spinal stabilization sessions with me. These would be based on the work of Dr Stuart McGill. Dr McGill is an emeritus professor of kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and a world expert on back pain. Terry had completed a course of study from Dr McGill on how to use exercise to treat back pain. I went through 21 spinal stabilization sessions with Terry from mid February to mid May 2019. At the end of those sessions my back pain was completely gone.

I had met Terry at Slim Gym’s and after a number of chats became aware that he specialized in managing back problems through exercise. I’ve had significant back problems over a lengthy period of time but always remained active in a variety of sports – skiing, golf, hockey, biking etc. Following a recent problem – a herniated disc – I met with Terry to review my catscan and medical report to see whether he could assist with my recovery. While eliminating some of my activities would have been the preferred course of action, Terry quickly realized that I would likely ignore this advice. He proceeded to diagram my problem in such a way that I could actual see what was happening with my deteriorating spine. He then took the time to discuss my issues and then Terry developed an exercise routine that would improve my structure and strength so that I could continue “abusing” my back and play the sports that I loved. The results have been great and Terry has also followed up with me to ensure I’m improving. At the gym, Terry will also make sure I avoid those exercises which will simply do damage. He’s been a great resource, very personable and truly professional. I recommend him highly.