Meet Izzy Lane, Newlands resident Fitness Instructor.
After qualifying as a Physical Education teacher, Izzy decided to become a Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer. As someone who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of nineteen, she wanted to be able to use her wide ranging qualifications and own experience to help others face life’s challenges and remain physically active to support health and wellbeing. Having recently joined the team at Newlands, her initial weekly classes with a small group of our less mobile residents appear to have had made an impact in all kinds of ways. We’ll let her tell you exactly how.
“I’ve started with a group of six to eight residents with limited mobility. The fitness class takes place inside Newlands and is designed for seated exercises. In my book any exercise class has to be fun and put you at your ease otherwise people will be reluctant to join in. The group chat, giggle, laugh with each other - and with me - so it’s a very relaxed, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Naturally not everyone has a positive attitude to begin with but bit by bit they get more motivated. They start to see how targeted exercises that coordinate lifting movements with both legs and arms improves circulation and strengthens muscle to support joints, which in turn improves overall confidence and wellbeing.
One lady actually got so carried away that she got up and ran across the room to catch the maintenance man. I think that surprised her as much as the rest of us. It’s so rewarding to see those who can barely raise an arm past waist height to start with eventually manage to get it up by their head by the end of the forty-five minute session. I’m able to work with each person on a one-to-one basis and get to know them and work on realistic individual progressions to further enhance coordination. Along with light hearted grumbles that I’ve worked them so hard they want to go for a coffee, I do receive comments like ‘I wouldn’t miss it’. And they certainly keep coming back week after week!
The perfect environment
The wonderful and expansive grounds at Newlands offer the possibility of extending my classes to engage with more residents in the new year. Full use of the stunning ten acres could be made with special weekly warm-up sessions and walks for the energetic along with group exercise classes to suit all needs. I can promise you nothing too daunting and no need for lycra. In return you can benefit greatly - physically, socially and mentally.
Your own keep fit session
As autumn moves on a pace and short winter days approach how can you keep fit indoors?
I’ve selected my top five ways to gently exercise. Try to repeat each one ten times but don’t worry if you can’t at first just do what you feel comfortable with. Do the set around three or four times a week and you’ll start to notice the difference.
1. Sitting down try raising one leg in the air. Hold for 10 seconds
2. Sitting down try raising one arm in the air. Hold for 10 seconds.
3. Pretend you have a beach ball between both hands and twist your body from left to right
4. Sitting down or standing, turn your head as far as you sensibly can from left to right
5. Sitting down try marching with your legs. Then make leg extensions from the knee
