Feel Better Physically and Mentally

I started going to Strong 4 Life sessions about a year ago - at the time I was 56, but I was starting to feel old, everything seemed to ache and creak and I was starting to struggle with everyday movements like getting in and out of the car and getting up and down from the floor. I was reading a lot about menopause and needing to improve my strength as I got older, but I just didn’t fancy the idea of joining a gym. When I saw Strong 4 Life advertised, I thought it sounded perfect for what I needed – and I was right.

The sessions involve strengthening exercises for all parts of the body using only your own bodyweight, or simple equipment like bands and balls – no heavy weightlifting! Often the exercises link to everyday movements, like getting up and down, balancing, lifting etc.

Debbie is brilliant – she explains how each exercise works a particular part of the body, and helps with specific movements and functions, and she provides different options depending on individual need and capabilities. You can push yourself and work as hard as you feel able to and you can take things more gently/slowly if that is what you need. Debbie encourages you to listen to your body, do what is right for you but she also motivates you to give the exercises your best effort! She plays some cracking music too!

The group is brilliant – mostly women but we have had men at times too. It’s a very welcoming group, and we always have a good laugh while we exercise. I always go home feeling better physically and mentally than when I arrived.

The physical benefits I have noticed are fantastic – I can now get down to the floor and up again in a much stronger way (without all the groaning and moaning), and on a good day I can do it without pushing with my hands at all.  I had a very stiff/weak/sore hip flexor on one side and really struggled to lift that leg and do some of the exercises on that side, and I found it quite painful and difficult getting in and out of a car. Debbie gave me some options for doing the exercises differently, and in a way that would improve the strength and mobility in that area, which it did. When she asked me how my hip was a while later, I really had to think about it – and realised it must have improved a lot because I didn’t notice it at all anymore.

Comparing what I can do in the class now, with what I could do a year ago, there have been many improvements in my general strength and mobility over that time. I would highly recommend Strong 4 Life to anyone.