Cyclo4all
Lilley's Story
Before attending Cyclopark…
“My mobility was deteriorating even with my mobility aids, my wheelchair and walker. It was affecting my mental health, and everything was a struggle. I had been a confident, outgoing, social young person but my wellbeing had plummeted.”
What I do with the Cyclopark Charity…
“Being offered a session with David on the adapted bikes really changed my life. Once a week I attend a session taking part in adaptive cycling.”
How this has helped me…
“It has enabled me to exercise at a pace and level that is suitable for me but has also made me challenge myself to cycle faster and longer with has helped immensely with my physical and mental health. Due to my limited mobility, cycling has helped to build my strength and muscle tone and ensure my levels of fitness are not only maintained but also improve. Riding the bike gives me a sense of freedom that using my wheelchair cannot.”
A mother’s perspective….
“Cycling has been so positive for my daughter on many levels. Obviously from a physical and wellbeing aspect but, also from a social perspective it has been brilliant for her speech and she loves to chat to David as she cycles. She looks forward to her sessions and loves interacting with all the staff at Cyclopark. From an emotional perspective cycling at Cyclopark on the adapted bikes makes her happy, being out in the fresh air is good for her, she has grown in confidence and loves the independence that cycling brings her.”
self-referral
Lorraine's Story
Before I attended Cyclopark…
“I was struggling with my mental health. I had quit my job due to stress and anxiety and was on medication to manage this along with counselling. With two young children it was also very hard to find the time to exercise and over about two years both my fitness and my mental health had really taken a back seat. I was also recovering from major surgery to my foot and ankle and could no longer do a lot of the sports and exercises that I had enjoyed. I loved exercise and had always used it to improve my mood as well as for fitness but finding a way back into itwas proving really hard.”
What I do with the Cyclopark Charity…
“I joined Cyclopark’s self-referral scheme which gave me access to the gym and lots of classes for free. The induction reminded me of all the exercises I could still do even with the need to adapt because of my surgery which really helped change my mindset and give me a boost. I regularly attended indoor cycling and high intensity interval training classes as well as some parent and child classes which was great for helping me fit exercise in while looking after my children.
How this has helped me…
I love the positive attitude and friendliness of everyone at Cyclopark. They are always so welcoming and happy to help or stop and chat, and it makes you want to keep returning. This inspired me to take qualifications in fitness to begin a new career: I have now completed my Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training as well as qualifications in indoor cycling instruction, chair-based fitness and exercise programmes for older adults. I am loving being active again and it has inspired me towards a new career helping people to get active and look after their own health and fitness.”
parent & baby
Imogen's Story
Before I attended the Cyclopark…
“I always loved fitness and prioritised it where I could before falling pregnant. Once I had my daughter I realised how hard it was to have time to yourself and prioritise your own health and well being. As a breastfeeding mum to a clingy baby, normal gyms just weren’t for me. Walking was a lovely way to ease my way back into fitness but I wanted to get my strength back and feel fit and happy.”
What I do with the Cyclopark Charity…
“I started attending the parent and baby classes then, spin, HIIT and shred classes. I loved the parent and baby classes and even arranged my working hours around them. As lock down hit I continued to attend classes virtually helping me feel connected to others during a very isolating time. When pregnant with my second child, I continued to exercise with the support of all instructors right up until the end of my pregnancy (when my bump couldn’t physically fit on a spin bike). Once I was signed off as able to exercise, I attended parent and baby classes with my new born. Now my youngest daughter is 2 1/2 and I’m still attending parent and baby classes on my day off with her.”
How the Cyclopark has helped me…
“Cyclopark has done so much for me. It’s not only a place to train or for my children to play but, it’s become part of my life.
I met some of my best parent friends there, friendships that were maintained through Covid and are ongoing and our children are still friends.
The atmosphere is non judgmental and empowering. I can go there on a bad day and leave feeling strong and able to take on the day. The people are supportive and kind and it has a family community feel. I love that. The way Cyclopark classes, instructors, staff, people make me feel means I don’t have to drag myself to do exercise. I do it because I love it. Not to get thinner or more toned but because it makes me happy and feel great. I can bring my children, who love Cyclopark, and they have learnt how important fitness is and that they can be with me while I do something for me. They are then able to play in the park or sit in the cafe. My eldest daughter learnt to ride her bike here too.
Physically I’m feeling stronger and fitter than I have in a long time and I’m able to keep pushing myself in a supportive, judgement free environment. The classes have helped with all post pregnancy and childbirth problems including strengthening my pelvic floor, strengthening my hips and shifting some of those hard to lose pounds. I feel so much more comfortable and happy in my body now. Cyclopark got me through the multiple lockdowns and kept me sane when going through some really tough times, including losing colleagues during Covid. It’s a space where I can forget everything and intensify my focus. Then I can leave in a better place. It’s my happy place and I would encourage anyone to join up and become part of the happy healthy community that has been created by the great people that work and train there.”
Menopausal Weight Training
Michelle's Story
Before I attended Cyclopark…
“I had been battling breast cancer for a year, all my treatment finished in December 2021. I was then diagnosed with Osteopenia due to my treatment and was recommended to do strength building. This was very scary for me as I’ve never really done weights before and I had no confidence after my treatment due to putting on weight and being weak, but this was something I had To do to help me.”
What I do with the Cyclopark Charity…
“I joined Cyclopark as it was a small and friendly gym. I thought I would feel better there as I tried to build my strength. The thing is I didn’t really know what I was doing so I booked in with one of the fitness instructors to write me a program and found this extremely helpful with Kellie making me really feel comfortable. I used the program at the gym about three times a week which was great. I also signed up for the menopause weight training course, this helped me even more to learn about weights and how to use them properly and build my confidence. The people on the course were amazing too. Once I felt more comfortable, I started doing other classes like HIIT. I have been doing this now for a year and half and lost one and half stone.”
How this has helped me…
“This has helped me by given me confidence to work with the weights on my own at the gym, I feel stronger and my last scan showed my bone density hadn’t got worse which is amazing. I also love the fact that if you need any help, the instructors are there to guide you which is brilliant.”
Park Fitness membership
Sarah's Story
Before I attended the Cyclopark…
“I always exercised but never knew what was right for me or how to get the most out of my exercise. The gym I was a member of before the Cyclopark wasn’t a gym where the staff were very approachable or very warming. They had an extensive fitness program but the classes were very ‘clicky’ especially the evening classes. Which made you not want to attend or walk into. The membership was also very expensive and I don’t work. I had also been overweight and this wasn’t a good thing for my mental health.”
What I do with the Cyclopark Charity…
“I attended the group classes & had a program for the gym. I also found a group of people that were the same as me. The fitness instructors took time to say hello, all the staff were friendly, the members were kind and the group classes you worked out together. You felt as if you mattered and you were not on your own. I joined as a full member and then lockdown happened, once restrictions were semi lifted, Cyclopark made classes happen with outside classes and even created an outside space. This was invaluable to all members.”
How this has helped me…
“Since being at the Cyclopark not only have I lost 32lb in weight but have a good understanding of what works for me and what I should be doing. The fitness instructors have helped me every week
to make this happen. I have built good friendships with other members and the ParkEat cafe is like our therapy sessions some mornings after our classes. I found Herbalife at the Cyclopark with another member who is a coach and this has been life changing for me. Being a menopausal woman sometimes you just lose yourself but having the right nutrition and exercise this has helped me for the last two years to maintain at my current weight.”