Want to join local keep fit ,

[blackseve]

Want to join local keep fit , aimed at helping /improving heart & blocked ventricle, if there is such a thing that will benefit me, Near to Worsley

[Happyrosie]

Many local authorities publish guides to this, so have a look at their website. If you do t get anywhere with this, your surgery should be employing what’s called a “social prescriber”. Your surgery website would probably give you guidance.

[Blearyeyed]

Have you had cardiac rehab yet? If not it's worth contacting your cardiac nurse or unit first to see if you can be signed on to that in your local area. This can help you to get strength and ability back before going in to the next stage of trying classes as well as helping you to know which exercises you should or shouldn't do.

Some cardiac units also have online fitness videos which you can follow taking as many breaks as you want at home by watching it on YouTube on your Smart TV or with a computer set up near your workout space. This can help you keep active each day and build up your exercise tolerance as one class a week isn't always as much as you would like or need.

One great thing you can do is ask at your GP surgery to be put on the Exercise Referral Scheme .

As well as giving you classes and access to leisure centre facilities free these schemes usually have classes that are recommended for people with varying health conditions and ages taught by instructors whom are more used to helping to teach people with various medical needs.

You can start with beginners or taster classes , and it's usually better to begin by either taking an easy or beginners class or only taking part in half a class to begin to see if the type of class suits you, and you enjoy it. This helps build up your strength and confidence slowly and consistently with less chance of symptoms or injury. There can be classes from TaiChi , Low Impact Pilates , Aqua exercise , Chair based exercises and chair yoga and you may also have leisure walking groups for your age and ability.

The good thing about trialling these classes for free on the course is that you also get to see if it's suitable for you and then you can decide to continue going to other classes held by the instructor that you feel confident working with.

Cardiac rehab may also have a list of appropriate classes and instructors in your area that they recommend to cardiac patients, or , physiotherapy could give you some help and tips for good local instructors. You can ring that Department and ask to speak to a Senior Physio whom works with Cardio patients for some advice,

It's also worth contacting the BHF or any other cardiac or Over 60's group in your area and joining the groups to find out which classes other members go to. This means that you can go to classes with people you've already met and feel more confident by having a buddy there with you.

Walking regularly, even if it's just 10-20 minutes slow walks each day can be the best exercise for your heart but many if us don't feel confident walking alone or find it hard to keep motivated, You could put up a community message in Facebook, ask a friend with similar health needs to start walking with you, or find someone at your BHF group to have as a Walking Buddy and walk together at a moderate pace that suits you both regularly.

Consider local exercise groups that aren't just for exercise but fun as well. Table tennis or badminton joining in with a partner whom will take it at your speed are great fun. And don't forget that certain domestic jobs are just as good for cardio as an exercise class.

If you like gardening doing this little and often through the day is as good as a fitness class or gym workout.

You could even consider joining a local volunteer group whom work in a local garden , woodland or park and get fresh air and make friends too.

If you love Wildlife consider joining a local wildlife group that hold regular days volunteering at a reserve for a few hours or helping with their clear up crews.

Playing with grandchildren can also use the same energy and muscles as a 20 minute cardio class.

There will be a wide variety of more moderate and social activity groups in your area if you look for local listing online , on Facebook in your community, or even in the local newspaper or noticeboards at a library or community centre.

Things as wide in interest as Kurling , Bowling , Leisure boating or canoeing , archery , leisure biking, line dancing, sequence dancing , Nordic walking, dog walking for other people and many more could all be options to get you out of the boredom of the gym.

Doing the research is worth it. If you choose a fitness class it is better to chose a low or moderate option . You want a class with an instructor whom understands and gives proper guidance to people with various health needs as when you start you usually need guidance to slow down or take more rests and choose different positions or a chair to work in if you've had certain types of operation. Making sure they are qualified to work with people with your needs are key to finding a class that you feel you can keep going to. And listen to your body .

If it feels tight or uncomfortable scale back or rest out of that exercise , if you are feeling puffed take a few minutes, when it still feels easy but you are getting tired it's time to stop this stops you exercising one day then feeling useless for three days. As time goes on the time you can manage will get longer , harder exercises more possible as your fitness grows without you getting an injury or feeling ill in the process.

Above all have fun with it , exercise should be something to enjoy rather than a torture to endure once a week. Take care , Bee