Gentle Exercise @ The Space - Sylvia's story

When a friend first invited 71-year-old Sylvia to an exercise class at The Space @ Field Lane, she didn’t quite know what to expect. They started with the keep-fit session after lunch, and from the very first class, Sylvia knew it was something she wanted to continue.

Although she had done a little bit of exercise before, joining the Friday Gentle Exercise class with Jackie gave her something consistent and supportive to look forward to each week. The sessions are friendly and accessible, helping participants move at their own pace while still feeling part of a group.

For Sylvia, the benefits have gone far beyond simply keeping active. Living with angina and having previously had a stent fitted, maintaining her health is especially important. Taking part in regular gentle exercise has helped her stay fit and manage her wellbeing in a safe, structured way. It’s given her confidence in what her body can do and reassurance that she is doing something positive for her heart health.

But it’s not just the physical benefits that have made a difference. Sylvia has made lots of new friends through the class, and the social side has become just as important as the movement itself. There’s encouragement, laughter and a real sense of community that makes it easier to keep coming back.

As Sylvia says:

“Before taking part in this activity, I wasn’t as active as I am now. It has encouraged me to be more proactive and join in other things.”

She would recommend a keep fit activity to anyone. For her, it’s about staying supple, mobile and connected, proving that it’s never too late to start moving a little more and feeling a lot better.