Gym Bunny

Well a surprise today, I found myself at our local council - run gym or “Shape Shop”. Now those of you who know me are aware that I am not slow in criticising our local council, but this is a well-run facility with lots of really helpful staff. Why was I at gym- that is not the natural habitat of even the retired Sheppard? My friend Rodney will laugh as on many occasions I have laughed as his regular gym visits and suggested he do some “real” exercise. Again those of you who know me will be aware that for years I have pounded the roads in my running shoes.

Well firstly I have had to regretfully realise that I can no longer pound the roads as I used to, and to be honest the motivation to go out on a cold windy night is receding quickly. The second reason is Marion. Now if you think I am gym averse, then Marion is one hundred times more so. But for the last few years Marion has been taking regular exercise following yoga type principles. However she was recommended to the gym by her doctor under an NHS scheme. The change has been remarkable, Marion returns from the gym looking healthy and being very positive. Well I thought I would like some of that.

The next problem is my aversion to instruction, to use the gym you need to have a familiarisation session on the various machines with an instructor. Well there was no avoiding it, so it was with some trepidation that I accompanied Marion to the gym on Monday. I met with Martin who quickly put me at my ease and showed me the various machines. Actually I needed instruction, as I would never have used them properly on my own. (A lesson in itself, I have to admit that I do not know everything). He also encouraged me to use them in short bursts, rather than trying to destroy myself on each one.

Wow the result was fantastic; I thoroughly enjoyed my session and cannot wait to go back. Also because I had never been to a gym at 10am I had no idea what a cross section of the third age was enjoying exercising. This has to be beneficial for society and we should be doing all we can to increase participation further.

I am not sure how many times I will have to go before I can call myself a true “gym bunny”!