Specialist fitness classes: Horizon Leisure helps you rebuild your confidence and your mobility

Horizon Leisure can help you learn to move with more confidence again.

A spokesman says: “It’s time to reclaim your independence and join a supportive community that understands your unique challenges.

“Gentle exercise is a great resource for people struggling with a range health concerns and our classes are led by knowledgeable instructors and physiotherapists who can provide guidance, modifications and support based on your individual needs.”

Steady and Strong: falls prevention class

These are dedicated classes led by physiotherapists and expert instructors to help you gain strength and balance, plus improve your overall mobility to prevent falling as you get older.

These low-impact classes can even be completed while seated.

Steady and Strong is aimed at the over-60s, with the oldest attendee in their late 90s. Find the classes at:

– Waterlooville Leisure Centre

– Havant Leisure Centre

– Denmead’s All Saints Church

Positive and perfect starting point if you’ve had a stroke

Have you suffered from a stroke?

The gentle circuit class Positive Strokes is designed to rebuild agility and strength in both the upper and lower body.

Following a gentle warm-up - which can be completed sitting down - the bespoke circuit class incorporates walking, stepping up, improving grip strength and building strength with resistance bands.

The low-impact exercises put less stress on the joints and are generally gentler on the body.

If you have lost some mobility and confidence through a stroke this class is a perfect starting point for your rehabilitation.

Find the class at Denmead’s All Saints Church.

Swimming if you have long-term conditions

Have you lost your confidence in water following illness or an injury?

This is a dedicated space for anyone wanting to enjoy the water safely, such as people with conditions like arthritis, anxiety, pulmonary disease, diabetes, cancer and strokes.

The pool sessions at Havant Leisure Centre combine aquatic exercises, dedicated swimming lanes and the expert guidance of our wellbeing professionals and swimming instructors.

With the leisure centre’s instructors by your side, you can trust you’re in capable hands.

They'll tailor the session to meet your specific needs, gradually building your confidence and helping you overcome any lingering concerns.

Take the plunge and embrace the freedom of movement that awaits you.

Read about Elaine’s health journey

Elaine, 79, was referred to the to the Steady and Strong classes after a fall.

She says: “I’ve been attending the Steady and Strong classes for a few months following a fall last year.

“My accident led to mobility issues in both my left hip and knee, and really impacted my quality of life and my independence.

“After regularly attending the class and using the techniques I was taught, for the first time in many months I was able to kneel on the floor to retrieve something that had rolled underneath a bed - and was strong enough to get back up again too.

“I also have much more confidence going up and downstairs the stairs, it’s no longer one step at a time!”

It has helped me regain my confidence

Elaine continues: “The balance techniques learnt at Strong and Steady have helped me to be more aware of hazards in the home and how to avoid falling too.

“The Strong and Steady class instructor is fantastic; really kind and a great motivator too.

“I’m so pleased I joined the classes, as Steady and Strong has really helped me regain my confidence and improve my overall quality of movement.”

Get a referral from a health professional

If you would like to attend any of Horizon Leisure’s specialist groups, the team recommends that you get a referral from a health care professional, including GPs and physiotherapists.

Speak to your health care professional at your next appointment or make an appointment with your GP.

To find out more about Horizon Leisure, go to horizonlc.com