Laura, Hatfield Leisure Centre

Hi Laura, tell us about your fitness journey...

I’ve been a member Better gym since 2018 so I’ve been on my fitness journey for a few years now. I really wanted to try different things, and it took me quite a while to find something that worked for me. I've tried different gyms and different kinds of exercises but I found that I couldn't keep up in a class with lots of other people due to having different needs and doing exercises differently. That’s quite difficult, you feel a bit left out, and you might feel a bit different in that context. So, I stopped, and lost the confidence to try something else. Eventually, I thought I needed to do something because the doctors were telling me I should do more exercise, and it’s quite hard to hear but, they were probably right. I decided to be more confident and find something that suited me and not to just give up once something didn’t work.

How have you stayed consistent?

It does take a lot of personal motivation, and I think having others around you helps. I've found it beneficial to have a personal trainer at the gym to keep me on track, it's that kind of accountability and having someone to check that you're doing things makes me want to get better. So, I found it really, really helped to have that bit of support.

What type of workouts do you do?

I do a mix of things. I do some of the light conditioning exercises; I really like the seated cross trainer as I never thought I'd find something that was accessible for me. To actually be able to do things in the gym has been great. I love the rowing machine as well. Quite reluctantly, I'll do the hand bike as well as I’ve realised it's really good for that upper body strength. Then I also do some of the weights. Sometimes, I need someone to help me because I can't always reach everything. So that's why it's helpful to have someone else with you, but then I can come in and do other things by myself. And that's great, too.

How does staying active impact and benefit you?

I've definitely seen lots of improvements in my physical health. I've done things I never thought I would ever do in the gym and lifting weights that when I first started seemed absolutely impossible. That has had a good impact on my mental well-being because I feel that sense of achievement.

Also, the social aspects of coming to the gym - being able to come to the gym means that I get out of the house and chat with people. The great thing about being a member of my Better gym is that it feels really inclusive, and people do talk to each other. So overall, it's helped me in different aspects of my life, which is great.

What advice would you give other people who may find it difficult to build physical activity into their daily lives or potentially lack confidence to participate?

I never thought that I would find so many things that I could do in the gym. It's been a real journey and a real revelation to me that there is so much that I can do. What I would like to say to other people or people with mobility impairments, like me, is don't worry, try different things, get out there and see what works for you. Don't be afraid to try something new. I know how daunting it is to walk into a really big gym with lots of people around who seem to know what they're doing. People aren't going to be looking at you, and they aren't going to be wondering what on earth you are doing. So go in there, be yourself, be confident and be happy.