I feel stronger, fitter, more capable and mentally tougher; plus, I discovered it’s one of the best medicines for a bad or stressful day. It is a decision I will be forever thankful I made.

I decided to get some professional advice and start exercising. Within days I had my first personal training session and the progress since has been amazing! The emphasis here is clearly on what you CAN do and not what you CANNOT do!

In short, I’ve been given the confidence to train, educated on how my body works and learnt how to manage my body.

I am finally training with a smile on my face and enjoying all the benefits of feeling stronger and being pain-free, I am even back on my bike and dancing again!

I cherish the memory of the trainers and young things cheering me on as I heaved a weight in the air and carried it the length of the gym!

I liken my body to an old machine that has been given a complete overhaul. I’m stronger and more agile and most importantly feel great.

I was nervous about signing up to something like this as I had never really been a gym person so was sure I’d stick out like a sore thumb and be too unfit to keep it up. How wrong I was!

With the excellent training and advice from the coaches and encouragement from other members of the gym, I now feel that I am back in control of my condition and have discovered a terrific hobby in cycling.

Exercise is good for the body and great for the mind and it’s a bonus when the place you go to do it is full of like-minded people and great coaches. I’m fitter, stronger, and healthier – I just wish I’d done it years ago!