Breathe easy

Date published: 03/02/2010

Michelle Evans, Ladies Only gym owner, has completed an instructor qualification which will enable her to design suitable exercise regimes for people suffering chronic respiratory disease such as bronchiectasis, chronic asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

MS Evans says: "Exercise is important for these people in particular because they become fearful of their breathlessness and do less and less activity. Exercise will make even the fittest person breathless to some degree, and for people with respiratory problems there are ways of managing breathlessness and staying fit.

"The key benefits to staying active are strength, particularly in walking muscles, leading to an improved quality of life and ability to engage in more social activities, having the confidence to manage breathing, and recognise the signs of an exacerbation. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease so this service should help people to avoid a spiral of decline associated with other ill health complications."

The service is available to ladies of all ages with mild to severe conditions, and will be offered at the St Mary's Gate gym.