A Multiple Sclerosis (MS) sufferer from Sheffield has taken on a new fitness regime at a city centre gym in order to help manage some of the symptoms of the disability neurological condition.
Joanne Hamill, who was diagnosed with MS in 2000, joined the Fitness Unlimited scheme at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre based on its fantastic reputation for staff support.
Joanne was guided by Phil Kay, a lifestyle consultant at the gym at Ponds Forge, who was able to offer his expertise tailoring a programme around her illness.
The 38-year-old receptionist from Sheffield, said: “I was looking for something that could offer me a good workout routine whilst taking into account the limitations I have.
“MS affects the nerve cells in the brain which has led to my mobility being impaired, some days having falls, sight loss or even loss of sensation. At one point it got so bad that I couldn’t do any exercise for a while.
“After becoming out of the habit of exercising, I began looking for a gym that could offer the support I needed and knew that Ponds Forge had a great reputation for support from the staff so I decided to sign up.
“Phil Kay designed a programme specific to my needs which has been great and is always there to help me if I want to push myself a little more, or if I need to do something that is less strenuous.”
Joanne has been going to the gym three to four times a week for almost a year now and hasn’t looked back.
Joanne added: “Joining the Fitness Unlimited scheme has improved my fitness and energy significantly since I started and I would strongly recommend taking advantage of the fantastic facilities and support that Fitness Unlimited offers to anyone who needs that extra bit of help because of an illness.”
The right exercise depending on how the person suffers with MS can make a difference to managing and living with the condition. Currently 85,000 people in the UK have the condition.
Helen Broadbent, general manager at Ponds Forge said:
“Joanne’s story is a fantastic example to illustrate the way that exercise and activity can be tailored to consider individual conditions. A good level of fitness and activity can really help a person’s general health and sense of wellbeing, especially when managing a condition such as MS.”
“I hope Joanne’s story can show people who are thinking about taking up a fitness routine that anyone can use the gym and a personal programme can be designed to fit around an illness.”
Fitness Unlimited offers access to four facilities operated by Sheffield International Venues including Ponds Forge, Don Valley Stadium, Hillsborough Leisure Centre and the FIA UK Centre of the Year Concord Sports Centre.
