A research study carried out by Later Life Training looking specifically at the benefits for older individuals and found the following:
Regular exercise improved strength, flexibility, balance, ability to perform everyday tasks as well as decreasing depression, body fat, arthritic pain and the risk of falls. The benefits of exercise can change an individual’s life, consider anything is better than nothing, be as active as you can as often as possible.

There are many types of exercise available, Chair-based is one! Within Chair-based exercise there are many classes as more and more people realise the range of benefits. Locally you will find Chair-based exercise varying in intensity, content and focus. Classes may be specific to cardiac rehabilitation, over 50’s, mobility and strength or falls prevention. Chair-based enables you to exercise safely and effectively, the chair offers your back support, beneficial if you have back problems, sitting down means the weight your body has to bear is reduced which is important if you have poor balance or arthritic pain.

When you first start movements will be small, gradual improvements will lead to an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and confidence will grow. The body is designed to move and it will start to move with more ease. The muscles will get stronger and the breathing will get easier.

The chair-based exercise classes will benefit you physically but the social contact will be so empowering, being able to interact with likeminded individuals, having the security of a specially trained exercise instructor offering adaptive exercises to suit you will improve the whole exercise experience and the realisation that exercise is fun, enjoyable and for everyone.

Upbeat exercise sessions are run by qualified professional instructors and overseen by cardiac advisors. Exercise sessions are held weekly at Bury St Edmunds in the mornings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and in the evenings on Fridays and at Sudbury on Tuesday mornings.

As well as encouraging exercise, Upbeat offers a range of social and educational events to provide members with opportunities to understand and discuss heart issues as well as the all important mutual support. This is particularly helpful for those for whom exercise may not be an option.

The Bury morning sessions have gone from strength to strength. The original Wednesday session started 7 years ago. We had 10-12 members attend the exercise sessions, over the last 7 years we have grown to 10 sessions with over 100 members exercising every week. Every week at different venues 14 exercise sessions are offered and Upbeat currently has 850 members! What makes us unique is we offer various sessions. We offer a standard circuit style session, aerobic sessions but also chair based sessions for our members with limited exercise tolerance and/or mobility problems. Every member is encouraged to exercise and adaptive exercise if readily available. All members have a smile on their face and we recently featured in the British Heart Foundation magazine August 2008 edition with the headline ‘Bury’s Bubbly Bunch’. Every year we hold festive parties, members dress in fancy dress and every year costumes have got more vibrant, the atmosphere is very welcoming, the support to each other is excellent.

Yvonne and I agreed to lead the fundraising activity. Yvonne was in charge of finding out print costs, I was in charge of finding a photographer and funding to help support the idea.

I wrote to various agencies and Jill was very proactive, asking for donations at the exercise sessions. We received much generosity and became very excited that this idea could become reality, though I think some was hoping the idea was a distant memory. Yvonne and I were clear on how we wanted the calendar to look but sitting down looking through various print companies brochures we soon realised we may not have the funds to secure our dream until……by chance we were referred to a print company Premier Print. One afternoon after Upbeat I arrived at Yvonne’s for a meeting with Spencer, Director of the company. We made our wishes clear and after fully explaining the content of the calendar, semi naked instructors and nurses (at this point Yvonne clearly pointed out not top shelf material!) Our wishes came true. We received a quote within our budget. Yvonne and I were sooo happy and then as I drove home I thought……this means I have to take my clothes off, arghhh.

When I thought more about the calendar, I wanted to offer something different and hence the idea that each month the photo will follow a healthy educational message. I emailed everyone and asked for feedback on the type of photo they were happy to pose for and the health caption they would use, Keith the photographer was happy for us to book in studio times throughout September. All was set!

Many nurses and instructors had a good idea on what they were happy to do, those that didn’t I happily gave suggestions. Martyn was the funniest, he didn’t care. I said an idea that Yvonne and I had played around with, he was like yeah that’s fine. One of the most daring poses but he was not fazed.

The nurses booked a studio time and then the night before I received a voice mail whilst I was working. I finished at 9pm returned the call to Jayne, studio was booked for 11am the following morning. The nurses had unfortunately been warned against posing semi naked, even though all photos would be tasteful and for charity, they had to act with caution and take into account their career. The photo session went ahead and some lovely photos were captured but more clothes worn than originally planned. Pressure on the fitness instructors, the members had been teased they would see the nurses and instructors as they have never seen them before, me with makeup and my hair done would be a start!

I received a phone call from the photographer who suggested a location shot so we could vary the backgrounds, pushed for time, I frantically phoned Yvonne and asked if she could investigate local hotels, gardens, manor homes where we could possibly use. Due to use by members of the public we could not be seen to be walking around semi naked, though would have been a funny sight. Yvonne then had contacts with someone who kindly had a beautiful property with spaciously private gardens.

The last Sunday in September we all gathered at the location, cars pulled up armed with props, makeup, clothes and very sheepish individuals. Thankfully the weather was lovely, we could not of wished for a better day, bright blue skies, warm (even with no clothes on). First up the group shot, some opted for the t-shirt some had their modest covered by the Upbeat banner! All went smoothly, we moved onto individual shots. As some of the nurses had already had their shots taken we let the rest of the nurses go first. The instructors playing banter with one another, especially Peter who was reluctant to expose too much. Martyn was walking around in his long towelling dressing gown, ready to bare all when his time came. Maureen had a hat and shoes ready just had to keep her dog happy, he did well, though not sure what he would of thought if he knew what type of photo he would be involved in! Martyn was up, we watched as Martyn and the photographer walked into the distance near the lake. Out of view we laughed as we knew Martyn would be bearing all, making jokes and remarks, what if the farmer is out on the tractor in the nearby field? Looking at Martyn’s photos he seemed a natural at all this naturalist activity. Maureen was superb, completely comfortable in her own skin, she walked onto the green baring all (well nearly), up and down she walked, photographer snapping away. I was called to stand by the photographer with a whistle to gain the dogs attention, they do say never to work with animals or children, Maureen had warned he maybe a little grumpy but rightly so, he was walked up and down the same stop, he was probably looking around the huge garden thinking to himself let me explore. Now Yvonne, Peter and I had been humbled by Martyn and Maureen’s ease of posing semi naked. Peter went for it and attempted poses way beyond what he originally was considering, my turn was next, I now felt I should also be brave and at the last minute changed by pose from that I had decided on some months before. Off I went, bare foot, covered by a short silky dressing gown, briefly discussed the pose, most important was the background, there it was loads of bushes. Then came the fun part, climbing through the brambles, please note bare foot, please note short silky dressing gown. My legs got scratched, my dressing gown got caught, after much ducking and diving I was secure in the bushes. Trying to take my dressing gown off without being cut by the bush or exposing everything was the next mission. Yvonne had the job of placing the apple, yes we had to make sure it was secure and then the photographer needed Yvonne to hold a light reflector so poor Yvonne had to lean over the prickly bushes as the sun beamed down on us.

Last but not least Yvonne with her chalkboard, Yvonne had a number of poses which looked great, I stood by for support as she asked me to make sure I tell her if she needed to breath in, as if!

We all chose our favourite pictures and then Yvonne and I visited the printing company to start the artwork, poor Tony, he had the job of going through the photos and zooming in to check nothing was showing that shouldn’t be! We were really happy with the final product and can’t thank enough everyone who supported us, all nurses and instructors that got involved and for all those that have brought the calendars, thank you so much.

Your Home Study Experience
During the home study period our experienced tutors are with you every step of the way. At regular intervals they will contact you to track progress. You are invited to contact them via msn, facebook, email or telephone in between tutorials and despite the teams busy schedules we aim to return contact within a 48 hour period. We understand during the learning experience you need support and to discuss successes but also difficulties so we emphasis a close working relationship with your tutor and that is why all our tutors are not only experienced but approachable and understanding.

Online Learning
Many students are opting for the e-learning package. Submitting you work online means you can amend and update answers easily. You will benefit from quicker feedback from our tutors. With all our courses we hold regular practical contact days as in our experience these contact days is where the greatest learning curves take place.

Your Practical Course Attendance
In our prospectus it will outline the number of contact days for each course. Sometimes there is a gap between these days to allow you time to practise. Learners find the contact days very rewarding. The learning experience is heightened during an event with a group of like minded individuals, high in motivation and passion. Great friendships form and many of the contacts met during these days will stay with you throughout your career.

What level of course do I need?
There are four levels of qualification in the health and fitness industry.

Level 1 Assistant Fitness Instructor –
This provides a foundation for those considering progressing to Level 2. This is a good qualification to supplement existing GCSEs as it works with the national curriculum. It is equivalent to a Key Stage 4, GCSE Grade D-G or an NVQ Level 1.

Level 2 Fitness Instructor –
This is the level need for entry into employment in the health and fitness industry. It is the equivalent of GCSE Grades A-C or an NVQ Level 2.

Level 3 Personal Trainer / Advanced Instructor / Specialist Populations Instructor –
It is an equivalent level to A Levels or an NVQ Level 3.

Level 4 Medical Specialist Qualification –
Level 4 is only awarded to individuals who can demonstrate that they meet the National Occupational Standards in one or more medical area. Living for Life offers a range of qualifications and workshops to ensure that our students have a progressive career path and a good rounded knowledge of working as an exercise and fitness professional.

What type of course do I need?
Always choose a course that leads to an awarding body qualification specifically in the area of health and fitness related qualifications that are government approved, such as CYQ, Active IQ, OCR, or City & Guilds. Approved centres are subject to rigorous inspection from awarding bodies to ensure standards and quality are met.

Living for Life use CYQ and Active IQ as our main awarding bodies as they offer a full range of qualifications to enable progressive learning and career development.

How can I ensure that the qualification that I choose is recognised by the industry?
The industry set up the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) to regulate exercise and fitness instructors by recognising qualifications allows entry to the register at different levels. It allows employers to check that any potential employee has the required qualifications for employment in the industry. All fitness professionals on the REPs must complete on-going training to maintain their status on the register by gaining continuing professional development (CPD) points. This ensures that their knowledge is valid and current. All Living for Life qualifications give full entry to the REPs and our series of workshops award CPD points to qualified instructors.

How much time will I need to take off work?
Living for Life recognise that people who are training whilst in employment or training for a career move need the flexibility to learn around their busy schedules. We offer online courses to give complete control on how and when you study but also the option of blended which enables some home study but also one to one learning in small groups.

Which method of learning is the right option for me?

Living for Life use a combination of home study and video assessment and/or workplace assessment. Some learners prefer supported home study and practical course attendance including assessment Living for Life provide a team of highly qualified and experienced tutors who will guide you through the home study workbooks, providing technical support and advice along the way. Our tutors will agree times for you to be contacted for regular updates and they can also be contacted by MSN, email and telephone.

Once the home study work is complete and you are ready, you will attend a workshop(s) to develop your practical skills and undertake any necessary assessment. Workshops are delivered by industry experts, using the latest equipment in the most up to date fitness centres in locations throughout the UK.

How long does it take to gain the qualification?
Depending on your current level of knowledge, it can take between six and twelve weeks to complete an Active IQ or CYQ Certificate in Fitness Instructing.

Do I have to pay for the courses in full when I book?
No – Living for Life offers flexible terms to all students. We will need a deposit when you book with the balance to be paid before attendance on the assessment days. We do not charge students for this facility.

Is there a progression route?
Yes – Wherever you want to be within the fitness industry, Living for Life can help you get there. We have identified development pathways to help you achieve your goals. Our course advisors will be happy to discuss this with you.

Will I be able to get a job when I have done my course?
As our industry grows, employers are constantly looking to employ instructors. The better the qualification you have the better chance of getting the job you want. We offer the option to act as a reference when applying for fitness positions as we are confident that every student that passes our courses are ready for the fitness industry. We take pride in the students we pass and proud to support your progress.

If I have previously done a Level 2 course, can I go straight onto a Level 3?
This depends on which Level 2 course you achieved. Active IQ & CYQ have guidelines for ‘Accreditation of Prior Achievement’. Please contact one of our course advisors who will be able to help you.

What if I need any extra help with my home study?
If you have any questions or require any assistance whilst you are studying at home you can call or email our team. We have specialist tutors that will be happy to help you.

Are there any refreshments available at the venues?
Our assessment centres have facilities for you to purchase food and drink at lunch and break times.

What shall I wear for the workshops?
As the workshops/assessments may involve your participation in the practical sessions, we suggest you wear comfortable leisure wear such as a tracksuit and trainers. You may also need additional training gear to wear during practical sessions.

What should I bring with me when I come to a workshop?
Exercise clothing and appropriate footwear (as above).

Towel and toiletries if you wish to shower after practical sessions.
Pens, notepaper and home learning manual.
Your lesson plans. (where applicable).
A4 ring folder, 10 dividers and approximately 25 plastic wallets (this will be used to organise all your final assessment paperwork) – Level 2 Qualifications only.

What happens on the practical course days?

Again this differs according to the course and will be clearly stated in the home learning package.

For example: The Level 2 Gym course will include lectures from our tutors, questions and feedback both verbal and written and observation on your practical sessions.

When will I get my Certificate?
When you attend for your workshop dates you will be assessed as indicated in the course details, at the end of which an overall mark will be given. Providing you have attained the required level your certificate will be issued 12 weeks after completion date.

Fitness Pilates involves a standing warm up, floor work including exercises being performed on all fours, lying on your back and front and Power Pilates delivered in flowing sequences to strengthen, tone and increase flexibility. Excellent results felt and noticed in 6 weeks and every session includes a stretch and relaxation element with motivational techniques to keep you focused on your goals.

Pippa Middleton has revealed the secret of her super toned figure: weekly Pilates sessions. She said “it has transformational qualities; helped to create a strong core and improved my posture”. And, I say, she has a great bum! Movie star Jennifer Aniston said, “I’m a Pilates person. It’s great. I had a hip problem. I had a chronic back, a pinched nerve and a hip problem and it’s completely solved all of it. I love it. It makes me feel like I’m taller.”

Other celebrities harnessing the power of pilates include, Lorrainne Kelly, TV breakfast presenter, Liz Hurley, Patrick Swayze and Hugh Grant who reckons he has muscles of steel and can now deal with giving birth!

For more information on our Pilates courses including dates, times and venues, check out our Exercise Timetable.

Firstly let’s look at the current guidelines for health benefits. It is recommended that you should exercise for 30 minutes five times a week. This increased activity will help the heart to become stronger, improve breathing, help control weight, improve the mind and emotions, strengthen bones and muscles.

Now consider this, what do you currently do? How can you increase your current activity levels?

Think to be ‘As Active As YOU Can As Often As Possible’. Just because someone else in the class can perform knee lifts at a fastest speed to you, or they have better co-ordination in performing the grapevine does not mean you should feel low or worthless. Think where you have come from and think where you can go. Make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time considerate. For example, Specific – I will attend Upbeat every Monday and Wednesday morning, Measurable – over the next 4 weeks make a note of actual days attended, Achievable – do not commit to two classes a week of you know Fred from next door invites you over for coffee Monday mornings, Realistic – your current health and fitness level will tolerate two sessions a week, Measurable – keep a diary on sessions attended but more importantly how you feel since increasing your exercise levels.

So you spend twice a week with me, what can you do when away from Upbeat? Once again, Be As Active As YOU Can As Often As Possible. We are all different, that’s why we are called individuals! Devise an exercise programme just for YOU.

You may be able to join a local gym, go for walks outside, attend dance groups but if that seems too much and intimidating there is always something you can do to help benefit your health. With minimal equipment you can devise a home based exercise programme and perform once – few times a week. To start with look to complete 15-20 minutes and gradually increase your time. Whatever exercise you do it should still contain the following components a warm up – a gradual increase of your heart rate, perform gentle exercises like heels digs, toe taps, marching. Main Workout – exercises performed at a constant speed for a given period of time and a Cooldown/stretch – gently decrease the heart rate and help relax the muscles.

I have example Home Based and Chair Based Exercise Programme of which I am happy to share with you. By purchasing low weight dumbbells or a dyno band you can vary your exercises more and add more interest.

Importantly have fun, we put this extra effort in to keep our hearts healthy but our mind is equally important, a smile a day keeps the doctor away.

Good luck.

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For more information on Upbeat, please visit their website www.upbeatheartsupport.org.