Classes
Exercise can help different medical conditions. Choose the correct class and structure depending on your fitness goals and condition.
Our Classes
Stamina Class
Focus: Cardiovascular Health & Endurance. Structure and Benefits for Medical Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes: Improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood glucose levels, and enhances overall energy levels. Hypertension: Helps reduce blood pressure through regular, moderate cardiovascular exercise. Obesity: Promotes weight loss through sustained cardio activity. Cardiovascular Disease: Strengthens the heart and improves circulation, reducing the risk of heart-related issues. Asthma: Helps improve lung capacity and control breathing patterns over time. Class Structure: This class will include a mix of low-to-high-intensity cardio exercises such as rowing, cycling, jogging, and walking. For individuals with conditions like cardiovascular disease or asthma, a low-intensity option will be available, while those without limitations can engage in higher-intensity interval training (HIIT) to build endurance. Higher Intensity Options: Clients will be taught how to self-monitor their heart rate using heart rate monitors and perceived exertion scales (RPE) to ensure safety.
MSE Class
(Focus: Mobility, Stability, and Endurance) Structure and Benefits for Medical Conditions: Fibromyalgia: Gentle exercises improve endurance while reducing muscle stiffness and pain. Anxiety and Depression: Exercises that combine stability and balance help focus the mind, reducing stress and improving mood. Osteoarthritis: Improves joint mobility and stability, allowing for easier movement with reduced pain. Post-Surgery Recovery: Enhances stability and balance, which is crucial for safe mobility after surgery. Chronic Back Pain: Combines endurance exercises with stability training to maintain healthy posture and reduce spinal strain. Class Structure: This class will emphasize functional movement patterns mixed with slower-paced, controlled exercises focused on stability and core strength. It is ideal for those looking to improve their everyday physical functionality, especially individuals with conditions like chronic back pain or those recovering from injuries. Functional Movement: The class incorporates exercises such as squats, lunges, and lifting patterns that mimic daily activities while integrating stability exercises for lower back conditions.
Body Composition Class
(Focus: Fat Loss, Muscle Gain, and Body Fat Reduction) Structure and Benefits for Medical Conditions: Obesity: Helps clients improve their body composition by reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass, leading to better metabolism. Hypertension: Losing excess body fat can significantly lower blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health. Type 2 Diabetes: Reducing fat stores, especially around the abdomen, improves insulin sensitivity. Anxiety and Depression: Improving body composition enhances self-esteem, which positively impacts mental health. Cardiovascular Disease: Reducing excess fat and improving muscle tone can lessen the strain on the heart and improve overall cardiovascular function. Class Structure: This class will focus on improving body composition by reducing fat and building lean muscle through a mix of resistance training, cardio, and bodyweight exercises. It’s great for clients looking to lose weight, gain muscle post-surgery, or manage conditions like obesity or type 2 diabetes. Balanced Approach: Class exercises will focus on both fat loss (e.g., circuit-based training) and muscle gain (e.g., hypertrophy-focused resistance training). The program will include guidance on nutrition and lifestyle habits to maximize body composition goals
Strength Class
Structure and Benefits for Medical Conditions: Osteoarthritis: Strengthening the muscles around joints reduces joint stress and improves stability. Chronic Back Pain: Targets core strength, helping to support the spine and reduce pain caused by poor posture or weak muscles. Post-Surgery Recovery: Improves muscle strength and range of motion post-surgery, accelerating recovery and functional mobility. Obesity: Builds lean muscle mass, which boosts metabolism and aids in long-term weight management. Type 2 Diabetes: Strength training can improve muscle glucose uptake, helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Class Structure: This class incorporates exercises with elastic bands, kettlebells, dumbbells, Olympic bars, and medicine balls to improve muscle strength and joint stability. Exercise difficulty and intensity will be customized based on individual fitness levels and medical conditions, making it ideal for clients managing chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or post-surgery recovery. The same for those in rehab with a therapist. Equipment Used: Dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises for muscle development across different age groups.
Mobility Class
(Focus: Flexibility & Range of Motion) Structure and Benefits for Medical Conditions: Osteoarthritis: Focused on increasing range of motion in joints, reducing stiffness, and preventing further immobility. Post-Surgery Recovery: Helps patients regain flexibility in their joints and soft tissues, making everyday movements easier. Chronic Back Pain: Increases flexibility in the spine and hips, reducing tension and preventing further injury. Fibromyalgia: Gentle stretching improves mobility without aggravating symptoms, easing everyday movements. Cardiovascular Disease: While primarily mobility-focused, improving range of motion supports overall physical fitness and heart health. Class Structure: This class will be a mix of dynamic stretching, functional mobility exercises, and yoga-inspired movements to enhance flexibility, and joint range of motion, and reduce stiffness. This class is perfect for clients with osteoporosis, post-surgery recovery, or chronic back pain. Incorporating Real-Life Movements: Exercises will target movement patterns that clients perform daily, such as bending, reaching, and twisting, to improve their ability to move freely and reduce discomfort.
Monitoring improvements:
Approach: Monitoring will be added into appointed sessions from the beginning, teaching clients to track their progress both in and out of class with different tools.
Key Monitoring Tools we use will be based on what you feel you like and what we recommend:
Heart Rate Monitors: Teach clients how to use heart rate monitors to understand their exertion levels during Stamina, MSE, and Body Composition classes.
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE): Introduce RPE scales so clients can subjectively assess how hard they’re working. Use this scale regularly to encourage self-awareness, particularly for those with medical conditions were pushing too hard can be risky.
Journals/Trackers: Encourage clients to write down their results, mood, and any challenges after each session, which can help with reflection later in the program.
Resting Heart Rate (RHR): Teach clients to track their resting heart rate over time. A decrease in RHR is a sign of improved cardiovascular fitness.
Functional Movement Self-Assessment: Provide simple mobility or flexibility tests (e.g., sit and reach) to monitor progress in flexibility and mobility classes.
Tracking Progress
Tracking Client Progress:
Questionnaires: Before starting, complete a questionnaire that assesses their fitness level, current lifestyle, and specific health goals.
Progress Testing: Conduct monthly or bi-monthly tests (e.g., endurance, strength, flexibility) to track measurable improvements.
Subjective Feedback: Encouragement to keep a journal or notes on how you feel physically and mentally, then revisit these notes after six months to compare changes in energy, mood, and physical abilities.
Long-Term Follow-Up: After clients complete their membership, offer follow-up questionnaires to assess how well they maintain progress outside of classes. This can help track if you have continued to practice the healthy habits learned during your time at Kent Sports Fitness.
Re-engagement: Regular participation is key to long-term improvement and encourages clients to see the difference between active and non-active periods.
How your sessions will help manage or improve you.
How Exercise Helps Diabetes
Exercise plays a vital role in managing diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels. When you engage in physical activity, your muscles use glucose for energy, which helps reduce the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. This can lead to better blood sugar control and decreased reliance on medication.
Regular exercise also promotes weight management, which is crucial for many individuals with diabetes. Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and overall health. Additionally, exercise boosts your mood and energy levels, making it easier to stick to a healthy lifestyle.
How Exercise Helps Lower Back Pain
For those dealing with lower back pain, exercise can be a game changer. Gentle, targeted exercises strengthen the core muscles that support your spine, improving stability and reducing discomfort. Activities like stretching and low-impact aerobics enhance flexibility, which can alleviate stiffness and tension in the back.
Moreover, exercise releases endorphins, natural pain relievers that can help improve your overall mood and reduce the perception of pain. By incorporating regular physical activity into your routine, you can experience lasting relief and regain your mobility.
How Exercise Helps Arthritis
Exercise is essential for managing arthritis, as it helps maintain joint function and reduce stiffness. Low-impact activities like cycling and walking are ideal, as they minimize stress on the joints while promoting movement. Regular exercise strengthens the muscles surrounding the joints, providing better support and reducing pain.
Moreover, staying active can improve your mood and combat fatigue, a common issue for those with arthritis. Exercise also helps with weight management, which is crucial since excess weight can put additional strain on your joints. By embracing a consistent exercise routine, you can enhance your quality of life and manage arthritis more effectively.
How Exercise Helps Chronic Fatigue
For individuals experiencing chronic fatigue, regular exercise can seem daunting, but it’s incredibly beneficial. Engaging in light to moderate physical activity can help boost your energy levels over time. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to your muscles, helping to improve stamina and reduce feelings of tiredness.
Additionally, physical activity releases endorphins, which can enhance your mood and combat feelings of fatigue and depression. Establishing a routine, even with short sessions of gentle movement, can help create a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to stay active. By prioritising exercise, you can gradually reclaim your energy and improve your overall well-being.