Exercise Referrals

I am not the same person who entered the gym at the very end of last year.

I was a mess, to be honest.

Being referred by my GP was one of the best things anyone has suggested to me.

Because it gave me somewhere to focus my efforts, channel my emotions, and be productive.

It helped me to start caring about myself again. And gave me somewhere to prepare for challenges on the ‘horizon’ (pun completely intended!)

I have been in most days this year and have seen ‘Mark’s people’ every single time.

From all demographics.

It is truly inspiring to see people face many different and complex challenges head-on.

With your help and support, I have improved nearly every aspect of my life, sleep, endurance, strength, confidence, and outlook.

And with your guidance, my programme has developed from just a cardio workout to a full gym programme.

I think the scheme should be expanded as widely as possible to all local schools, colleges, mental health groups, and charities. Linked with all GP surgeries and given the recognition of the potential good it has and deserves.

Yes, it’s been hard and takes a commitment. But you can only do it one session at a time.

And your guidance, encouragement and support have been invaluable to me reaching my goals.

It is a community place and I want to thank you all for the work and the good you do in our community.

I was given a gym referral by the neurogym team when my time with them ended. I was a bit dubious to start with as I’ve never got on with exercise equipment. Prior to my stroke, I enjoyed riding my bike, so I thought I’d get some practice in at the gym to start with before trying to balance and pedal out in the wild! I was also having ongoing left-side weakness and shoulder problems, so I thought the reduced cost of membership was worth the monthly fee. I was given an induction on my first visit to the Horizon leisure centre and showed how to use the equipment that would best suit my personal requirements. Going to the gym is different from physio in that you do as much or as little as is comfortable for you. You set your own goals, and you decide if you’ve done enough each visit! There’s help from the friendly staff if you need any pointers, and I always feel welcome. none of the patrons were interested in what I was doing unless I felt like engaging in conversation, so I never felt self-conscious or unwelcome. Personally, I use the exercise bikes a lot, the treadmill a little bit and the exercise machines a fair bit to work my core, upper body and legs. The machines are suitable for all ages, sizes and abilities, and I started off easy with light weights, but after completing my initial 12 week membership, I’m fitter now than I was before I went into the hospital! I never thought you’d ever get me in a gym, but I’m so glad I gave it a go. The treadmill has helped with my walking and got me up to a jogging speed, and I know I’ll get to run again soon. Using the bikes has got my stamina up and I’ve just started using the stair machine – like a treadmill but you climb stairs instead of walking a flat surface! The stairs at home took me a while to master once I left the hospital, but the gym machine has got me climbing them like a goat! I set my own goals now and see myself improving week on week. I try and go 3 times a week but haven’t yet got to use the pool which is also included in the membership. I would encourage anyone offered a referral to grab the opportunity and get yourself mobile again and get those troublesome muscles working for you again. For me it’s been about getting as close to I can as what I was before. Recovery from a brain injury can take a long time but I feel I’ve helped myself by working at it and trying to push myself to get better. You’ll not recover your physical abilities sat on the sofa. The me walking about now is so much more able and confident than the me that started going to the gym about 4 months ago. I’m sticking with it too! I can be better still! There’s further I can go, and there’s help from the staff if I need it too. It’s been strange not having physios telling me what exercises to do but I know myself where I need to improve now. I’m the master of my own ship again!