Thursday, 11th May 2023
Up&Active want to help you move more and feel better, no matter how little - it all matters! One of their services helps anyone recovering from heart complications - or anyone wanting to generally improve their cardio health.
Meet Stephen - he has used the Cardio Rehab service at Up&Active and, as you'll see, can't speak highly enough of the positive impact it has had for him!
BACKGROUND
"Prior to 2021 I was fit and healthy, leading an active life. I was hospitalised for a week in July 2021 with breathing difficulties, thereafter in April 2022 I had a further week in hospital following a heart attack. I became inactive from the first illness and even more so from the heart attack. My instinct was to “take things easy, don’t over exert, allow time for recovery” etc. In my mind though I knew this would be a recipe for disaster ending with life as a “couch potato”. The question was how to recover my previous levels of fitness, strength and stamina from where I was?"
THE ANSWER
"Fortunately, I was advised to enrol on the Cardio Recovery Programme – being run from various sports facilities in Pendle. My first meeting was with Emma Ashworth [Emma] the course leader and mentor. We discussed my recent medical history – she knew all about the matters I referred to, was clearly very knowledgeable and was able to describe the course that would help me get back on the road to physical recovery."
THE GYM SESSIONS
"The first thing that I noticed in my first session was the number of people who were all in the “same boat” so to speak – which was a strange source of comfort – giving rise to a feeling of not being alone in this situation! Emma started the sessions by recording our resting pulse rates then started the session by warming up the class. Thereafter we all selected a “work-station” to exercise at. Beginners were classified as level one meaning that they would perform a specific exercise at their work-station starting with a short period of exercise followed by a longer period of recovery (brisk walking). Levels two and three involved increased exercise periods with reduced recovery periods. They were approximately ten work-stations covering a wide range of exercises to ensure that the entire body had a work out. After everyone had completed all exercises Emma wound the session down with a cool down period to bring everyone’s pulses back to resting rate. Emma then asked participants to score out of ten how hard they felt their session was, if it was becoming too easy then the participant would be moved up a level and perhaps asked to use slightly heavier weights.
The sessions were very enjoyable and everyone was encouraged by the fact that they could see progress being made as evidenced by people being promoted to their next level. Emma gave encouragement and guidance throughout the classes – as not everyone was familiar with the exercises. She monitored everyone carefully to ensure that no one over exerted themselves. I remember one occasion when one gentleman was going to lift a very heavy weight – Emma advised against it. It was comforting to know that someone was looking after everyone’s welfare.
Outside of the classes Emma recommended further exercise at home or out and about and encouraged us with exercise sheets."
CONCLUSION
"I could never have anticipated the improvement in my physical health over a twelve week period as has been the case. I know that this sentiment is echoed by all of my class mates – many of whom have become friends as we continue to attend local gyms.
I dread to think how my physical health would have deteriorated (especially over the winter months) if I had become a couch potato. I have to thank Emma for her hard work, dedication and professionalism in getting us all so much better – it is very much appreciated. THANK YOU EMMA !! "
Interested to know more about this - and the other - services at Up&Active? Contact the Up&Active team today!
Email: pendle@upandactive.co.uk
Telephone: 01282 661664