09/06/2026
What a wonderful testimonial from Anthony!
Anthony is 77 and is currently suffering with Parkinson's Disease and a knee injury, which have limited his exercise capabilities.
Anthony and his wife, Catherine were recommended the Just Move programme recommendation at one of their support groups.
We on-boarded, completed the 10-weeks and off boarded smoothly - this is what he had to say!
"I have been asked to write a review of the Chair Exercise Class at Alive Downham that we have been attending for the past few months.
I have Parkinson’s and following a knee injury had become very unfit. So, when it was suggested that I attend a weekly Chair Exercise Class at Alive Downham I thought I had better go otherwise I was going to end up not being able to walk anywhere at all.
Fortunately, my wife, who is also my carer, was able to go to the same classes, which meant that I would have help if I needed it and she could benefit from the exercises as well!
We arrived for the first lesson to be greeted by Lewis, a big friendly giant, who soon put us at our ease and took us through the various exercises that found muscles I did not know existed. But never too fast or hard and always with our capabilities in mind. In fact, the first thing we did was a 10-point assessment of our physical strength and ability for a reference point.
We now look forward to our classes and come out feeling better for doing them.
We have built up our capacity and strength gradually over the weeks and the whilst the exercises always follow a format of warmup, stretching, cardio, strength, more stretching and wind down - the variation in the exercises is limitless so we never get bored or think we know it all!
At 10 weeks we had a second assessment, and it was amazing how much progress we had made - it has really helped my confidence.
It's also sociable and there is a very friendly and cheerful atmosphere - Lewis always keeping an eye on us and tailoring exercises for individuals if they are struggling for any reason.
Thank you, Lewis - roll on next session."
Below is Anthony's victory picture after the 2026 Mini-Gear, where Anthony was able to get out of his wheelchair to start and finish the race.