The new sessions are delivered with a qualified personal trainer and are designed to give residents safe, accessible and specialised support close to home.
Women practicing at TFD Gym (Image: Kevin Dunnett)
The rehab forms part of a wider upgrade at the female-only gym, which has recently benefited from more than £10,000 worth of investment in new equipment funded by the organisation, Gordon’s LLP and a national funder. The space now includes treadmills, spin bikes, kettlebells and a free weights section.
Sam Kirkby, the centre manager, said the benefits of movement are clear.
“We all know that the more you move and stay fit as a cancer patient, the more likely you are to recover”
The gym is free for all female users and currently operates for two hours each weekday, which staff say is all they can afford to run without charging. Despite the limited hours, it is often incredibly busy, with around 100 women having signed up so far.
The women only gym was created after the team identified that Tong Ward had no gym or leisure facilities at all. Mr Kirkby said the women only gym was created in line with the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, with access restricted to female users so that vulnerable residents feel safe.
To help maintain a safe space, staff are trained in trauma support and regularly work with women who have faced challenging situations at home.
Team members say the gym has become a gateway for many residents, giving them the confidence to join other wellbeing activities offered at the centre.
For some residents, the gym has become a pathway into work. One regular user is currently training to become a gym instructor, with hopes of joining the centre’s staff once qualified.
Kevin Dunnett said the gym has become a real asset for the community, giving women a space to support one another under the guidance of a personal trainer with a decade of experience and specialist GP referral training.
Mr Dunnett added: “It is inspiring to see women taking ownership of their own journey in regards to health and fitness alongside juggling everyday life.”