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When Hilary Phelps heard about the new power-assisted exercise suite at Crook Log Leisure Centre, she was far from enthusiastic. Now, she can’t imagine her week without it.

A breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago heralded the start of some serious health issues for 71-year-old Hilary Phelps.

“I always say cancer is a gift that keeps on giving,” says the former deputy head teacher from Welling, Kent. Married for 37 years with two daughters and four grandchildren, Hilary was left with numbness in her fingers and toes as well as coordination difficulties after cancer treatment. One medication even triggered heart failure, a side effect affecting just 1 in 40,000 patients.

Hilary also lives with atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Despite this, she remains upbeat and over the last five years has lost five stone in weight to have knee replacement surgery and improve her health.

Hilary is no stranger to exercise. She had attended the gym at Crook Log Leisure Centre, guided by physiotherapists and the Steps to Health team. But something was missing.

“I didn’t really follow a programme and wasn’t pushing myself. I felt quite anxious exercising because of my heart, and I also felt a bit intimidated by the younger gym members. I didn’t like to try anything new for fear of looking foolish,” she says. 

Overcoming initial resistance 

When Crook Log launched its power-assisted exercise suite, equipped by Innerva, Hilary was reluctant to try it. 

“I don’t like change and couldn’t see how the machines would improve my health.”

Persuaded to give the circuit a try, Hilary found she enjoyed it and hasn’t looked back since. 

“I’m now a convert. I attend at least three sessions a week, sometimes more.”

Hilary likes the structure of the circuit. She knows exactly which muscle groups each machine targets and the power-assisted technology adapts to her body’s needs.

“On days when my mobility is limited, the machines do most of the work, but I’m still moving and working the muscles. On better days, I work against the machines and really feel the effort.”

The physical results have been striking. Over eight months, Hilary has significantly increased her stamina and upper body strength. Her balance and mobility has improved so much that she rarely needs her walking stick now, and the reduction in knee pain means that her second knee replacement has been indefinitely postponed. 

“I can walk more easily and even walk upstairs. Balance has been a worry particularly as I get older, but this has also improved.”
One experience really convinced Hilary of the value of the suite. After returning from a strenuous city break, Hilary came home in considerable pain and found herself struggling to move comfortably. 

“Normally, I would have stayed away from the gym altogether, but because of the way the machines work, I could let them support me while I gently kept moving. Gradually, my mobility improved, and within a week I was back to exercising normally on the machines.”

Friends and family have also noticed the transformation. This year, with her daughter’s support, Hilary plans to attempt the Race for Life for the first time in years.

More than exercise

Hilary always wore headphones in the gym, but staff suggested she remove them during her sessions in the suite. She immediately saw the benefit. 

“I’m not very good at initiating conversation with new people, but now I spend the sessions chatting with a varied group of regulars. We’ve discussed everything from feeding my elderly cat to weekends away. I really look forward to the chats now.”

Twelve years after a cancer diagnosis, Hilary is stronger, more mobile and more confident than she’s been in years. She’s also one of the biggest advocates of power-assisted exercise.

“The suite has made such an impact on me that I tell people about it all the time. I’m healthier, I feel better about my appearance and I’ve become more socially confident. I’ve told my husband he can only join if he goes to a different session; this is my time to focus on me.”  

Charmaine Wells, manager of Crook Log Leisure Centre, says: “It’s fantastic to see Hilary benefiting from our power-assisted exercise suite and achieving such positive improvements in her health, mobility and confidence. We’re proud to have been part of her journey and to see her thriving. One of our aims in introducing the suite was to support people managing health conditions. Hilary’s story shows that that it’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of being active