Exercise scheme set to expand

5.02.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

A Richmond Council scheme promoting the benefits of regular physical exercise is set to expand.

The Exercise Referral Scheme will be extended to two new venues from next month. Exercise with a trained fitness professional is offered for people with a health condition that could benefit from regular physical activity. From May, the scheme will be expanded to include Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre in Percy Road, Whitton, and Pools on the Park in Old Deer Park. Patients can be referred by their GP for conditions ranging from high blood pressure to osteoporosis. The service is already available at Teddington Pool and Fitness Suite in Vicarage Road and at the Cambrian Centre Workhouse Gym in Grove Road, Richmond Hill.

Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, Cllr Denise Carr, said:

"Exercise offers huge benefits and this excellent scheme is a pathway to local leisure facilities for people referred by their GP or other health professional. It is a fun and sociable way of improving health and fitness while being in a class of like-minded people. I am delighted the service is to expand so that now even more residents will be able to take advantage of it."