The Strongest Man I know From 45 Minutes a Week! A Success Story

Today I really do have a very special story for you. It’s about another person who is dear to my heart and a huge influence on all I have ever done in life. I’m talking about my Dad!

Even though he has 2 Physio’s in the family (both me and my brother), he still seems to know more about the human body, or at least his body, than we do! Evelyn and I were so very lucky in lockdown to go and live with Dad. Mum was living and looking after Gramps, so Ev had Poppa Home School, whilst I was busy trying to keep the HealthHub going. Despite how difficult this time was, we created many special memories all living together and bumbling along together. We’d often go for a walk around the cliffs, but we’d have to stop and look at the view a lot whilst Dad caught his breath! I also thought he might keel over on the odd occasion when we did the dance session with Hannah on a Friday afternoon. Thank God there was a G&T carefully disguised as water on hand to revive!

Pop has been doing Pilates for years to look after himself. He’s had a problem with his back in the past and he applies the same focus and precision to Pilates as he applies to his DIY passions! I’d talked / nagged him to consider doing something for his strength and fitness for ages. He finally decided to branch out from Pilates a few months ago by joining Huffers & Puffers. A great strength and fitness class.

Today, I asked him about his experiences and the following is what he said. Thank you Pops for doing this for us. It’s a pleasure being able to help you. You really are the strongest man I know for putting up with me for all these years! Love you xxx

“Before joining the VIGOUR programme I’d been doing Pilates once a week for years to keep my back in good condition. More recently I thought I wasn’t doing enough to look after myself. Everything in my body felt like it was slowing down. I couldn’t do what I used to. I was getting aches and pains in the morning that I never used to, and it took ages to get going. I felt more lethargic during the day and wanted to sit down more. After lunch it was a real struggle to get going again. I even didn’t want to go for a walk to get the paper and would often drive! I take some medication that makes my joints ache, so I knew I needed to do something to ease it. The less I was moving, the less I wanted to.

I knew so much of this was the aging process, but I also knew I needed to do something about it. Signing up to the VIGOUR programme was a way for me to commit to doing something more. I like being busy and doing things and it’s easy not to focus on my health!

Ultimately, I was feeling old and was deep down worried I’d left it too late. I went on holiday with my son and found it difficult to keep up. When I pushed myself, my back hurt and I know I was grumpy because I was feeling old. I was most worried about feeling so lethargic all the time and not wanting to move.

I’d been thinking about doing something for years to feel fitter and stronger but wasn’t sure what to do that would make me feel better. The thought of going jogging didn’t appeal and I know I’d prioritise other things instead of it.

I don’t know why I waited so long to do something about how I was feeling. It just didn’t feel a priority at the time and there wasn’t anything disastrous wrong. I was just feeling old!

When I started in Huffers and Puffers, I was expecting something that would make me work hard and get sweaty, I now really like how this makes me feel good. I realised I’d missed doing something like this and can’t believe I’d waited so long to do it! I was excited to be doing something positive when I first came class.

I love the way Abbie runs the class and felt reassured each exercise is adjusted to each person in the class. She manages to pitch it just right for everyone in the class, and keeps us smiling and breathing!

With Pilates I love how varied it is every week, doing different exercises. I feel I’ve worked my whole body in a really focused way.

With Huffers and Puffers, I’ve realised I love exercising in the morning. I just don’t think about the time, it whizzes by! Abbie’s exercises are varied, and I now feel like I’m slowly and steadily improving. It’s easy to not push yourself when doing something on your own, but in the group setting, it feels easier. Abbie also knows what I can and should be doing, making me exercise at the right level, so it isn’t scary.

It has taken 3 months to get where I am now. It’s a great health programme which is good for both mind and body. Joining VIGOUR has got me into a good routine of taking care of myself and it feels good! So, it’s so much easier to come along and keep going!

I love working out in a group environment. I’m reassured I’m doing things properly and won’t hurt myself. This programme also keeps me on track with my health and fitness. I don’t want to get into bad habits and by using VIGOUR, I know I’m doing everything I can to look after my movement and body. Now I start thinking about how good it feels to be moving and exercising.

Since I started, my body has noticed some good changes. I know I am now ready to push myself a bit more which feels good. I am definitely fitter, more confident in my ability to move and do more. I can go on longer walks and go up hills without taking a break to look at the view! My legs feel so much stronger. I can crouch down again to do things on the floor - it’s been years since I’ve been able to do this, as I’ve avoided it because it made my knees ache!

If I hadn’t joined started in Huffers and Puffers, I really believe that I would have aged quicker. My gradual decline of doing less has now stopped! I now feel I can even improve which feels exciting! I know if I hadn’t joined VIGOUR, I would be sitting down more and feeling even older! I can now do so much more in my day. I can even get off the loo easier without using my arms! Brilliant!

I know aging is going to affect me, but now I’m not worried, as I’m being proactive to keep myself moving and feeling fit.

My advice to anyone thinking of joining VIGOUR would be GO FOR IT! It’s a great progressive programme that will prevent what aging is doing to your body. It’s given me exactly what I hoped it would. It’s fun and the team are so friendly and caring towards me. I want to keep going as VIGOUR is now part of my weekly routine!”

 - Trevor Rendle, 73

If this story has inspired you, or you want to put a stop to the downward spiral of aging, we can get you the same benefits as Poppa Rendle! If you’d like to chat or find out more about our VIGOUR programme or particular our Huffers and Puffers class, simply call us on 01548 852355 or email [email protected]. It is not too late!