Remarkable Cancer Gym - improving body strength and confidence post cancer
Cancer is a sneaky beast but every year (in fact it seems like every week at the moment!) treatments get more effective and less toxic. The number of people being diagnosed with it is increasing because the screening is so good now, and the chances of survival get better and better as well.
And there’s some excellent news for locals who’ve got, or had breast, bowel or prostate cancer - Maria Bradley co ordinates the Remarkable Cancer Gym and they are starting the next course on 23 April. Maria, and a group of other trainers did a short course under Dr Lynette Jones, who ran the former exPinkt course at Otago University, which was for women and men with breast cancer. It was an original training which helped them improve strength, confidence and help manage their bodies post cancer. The other big benefit is that most participants say it makes them feel so much more confident and cheerful and they really enjoy being with others in the same situation.
I’m one of the lucky ones who got accepted for the course - I was not a gym bunny at all, but I’d seen lots of friends with lymphodaema (a condition that can develop post surgery) and how uncomfortable it is and I was also lucky enough to know Maria who’s been through the excitement (ahem….) of having breast cancer and come out the other side in her fabulously cheerful way.
The course runs twice a week for six weeks at the Events Centre and it’s FREE! The only condition is that you have to have finished all your treatment at least eight weeks prior to the start of the course.
Having cancer isn’t traditionally considered fun, but this really is a fun and VERY good way to improve your life in so many ways. If you’ve never done any exercise classes before, you might be surprised to discover how enjoyable it is, and you will certainly make a lot of friends and learn how much easier life is when you get your body a little stronger and stretchier. And research shows that those who exercise post cancer treatments do better.
The course is funded by the Remarkable Cancer Gym Charitable Trust who apply for funding from various bodies and we are so privileged to have this opportunity. If you want more information about taking part, contact rcgymct@gmail.com
