Exercise sessions
We have launched online exercise sessions specially designed to help you stay active at home and manage your wellbeing. These classes will offer accessible exercise for all abilities, social interaction and instruction delivered by our Exercise Specialist, Alan Pearson. These classes will give you the confidence to manage your wellbeing independently by attending the classes and practicing the exercises in your own time. Socially these classes will enable you to stay connected with like-minded people and meet others affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS-UK has worked closely with those affected by MS to develop these classes and have shaped them based on the feedback we have received from our previous online classes since their launched in April 2020.
About the classes
There will be six classes held on Zoom every week with each class focusing on different components of exercise and types of training. Specific focus will include improving cardiovascular endurance (aerobic exercise), strength (resistance training), flexibility (stretching) and coordination. We will also include specific focus on problem areas such as drop foot, balance and posture to name a few.
These classes are not ‘just another class aimed at increasing breathing rate and moving a weight around’. Instead, the primary aim is to develop strength, flexibility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance which can help improve your daily function and achieve your optimum mobility. What you learn and the strength you gain in these classes can help you with day-to-day activities at home.
When?
Classes will be held live on a Tuesday and Thursday and will be categorised based on the individual’s ability. The classes will be structured as follows
- Level one (11:00am – 11:30am) will focus on exercises for those who are seated, have trunk (core) weakness and have limited upper limb movement
- Level two (11:45am – 12:15pm) will be for those who can transfer independently but may require assistance or the use of a walking aid
- Level three (12:30pm – 1:00pm) for those who mobilise independently with minimal impairment
Individuals are welcome to attend more than one session on a given day.
We will be looking to extend and grow the content we have to offer online throughout the year which will include masterclass videos, taster and information sessions.
We suggest a recommended donation for each session of £5. The donations are important to ensure we can deliver and sustain the online classes in the future. Whilst the suggested amount is £5, we ask people to donate a sum of their choosing so that money is not a barrier to attend the classes. You can get access to the classes by registering here each week.
Please read our health screening questionnaire before taking part in the exercise sessions.
About Alan
The classes will be taken by Alan Pearson who is a level 4 Exercise Specialist for individuals with long-term neurological conditions. Alan has been working within the health and fitness industry for the past 19 years and with those with MS for over eight years here at MS-UK and has hosted local online classes throughout the pandemic.
Alan has a wealth of knowledge and expertise that enables him to design, develop and deliver professional services for MS-UK to ensure those living with MS can stay independent, improve their function and maintain a stable condition.
