disability fi tness
Francesca,
who competes at wheelchair
ballroom dancing, trains weekly
INCLUSIVITY MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE Hockley Health Club, Hockley, Essex
installed 80 per cent accessible equipment in his gym when it opened in 2005 – then called Cully’s – and it went on to achieve a reputation as an accessible, friendly, inclusive club. As a result, the gym attracted not only disabled users but many older clients who enjoyed the unintimidating atmosphere, with some clients travelling up to 45 miles to use it. Sadly Cully injured his back in 2008
H
and was forced to sell up two years later. Taking over the helm was energetic couple Mo and Sarah Robinson, both young fi tness professionals who met while studying sports at Brunel University, and who vowed to continue Cully’s mission. Says Mo: “I think the club is wonderful.
We have a mixed type of membership – you’ll see people with learning diffi culties, disabled athletes, able-bodied people, overweight people, sporty types, old people, people training with oxygen tanks
ockley Health Club was set up by a man with a mission to make exercise inclusive. Stuart Cully
for assisted breathing... They all train in one place, which creates an environment that says ‘whatever your
personal circumstance or your exercise goal, we can help you achieve it here’. Seeing people get on with their training here really inspires us and our members to be grateful for our health.” In addition to all the IFI kit, the gym
runs weekly cardiac rehab clinics – for people who have been discharged from hospital cardiac rehab – run by a Level 4 fi tness professional. It also has twice- weekly NHS pulmonary rehab sessions. Says Mo: “Some patients can’t even walk into the club without resting every 20–30 seconds, and to see them build up their fi tness over the weeks is amazing. Many stay on and join the club even though we’re not their closest gym.” The club also has a loyal following of
stroke clients thanks to a link with the local stroke association. “Due to the open space in the gym, it’s easy for people to move about with walking sticks and zimmer frames. Those who have had a stroke also feel they can come here thanks to our unintimidating environment.”
The club now has around 5–10
per cent disabled clients, with the majority able-bodied older people. Most members are aged 40–50, but a remarkable 30 per cent of its income comes from an over-60s membership. One of the gym’s main goals is to
encourage independent workouts. The Omni Powersport fi xed resistance machines, designed by a disabled athlete based in Cardiff, are easily adapted by the user so that disabled members can move from machine to machine on their own, without requiring assistance from the gym team. The machines include a lateral pull-down, seated row, tricep press, chest press, shoulder press and cable machines. Accessible CV machines include a hand bike and adapted hand rower. “I think disabled people and the older
population are untapped markets,” adds Mo. “We’re passionate about helping all types of people achieve their fi tness goals, but there’s defi nitely a business opportunity for providing services for this type of client.”
healthclub@leisuremedia.com jo talbot
The leader in inclusive & specialist cardio exercise
As a specialist cardio equipment supplier, SCIFIT is fully committed to delivering truly inclusive fitness for disabled and non-disabled people alike with challenging and effective workouts for users of all abilities - from the very unfit through to Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
www.SCIFIT.uk.com SCIFIT Ltd UK Tel 01344 300 022 Email
info@scifit.uk.com
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