My review relates specifically to Nuffield's Joint Pain Programme, a free six-month programme to help people with chronic pain/conditions develop safe exercise plans and get fitter without damaging their joints further.
I can't praise this programme as delivered by the City of London Barbican gym highly enough. It has been transformative in helping me become more confident in taking exercise while I wait for joint replacement surgery. You get six months' free membership (provided you attend the majority of the three month, twice-weekly, initial sessions) and you are offered a combination of strength, flexibility and cardio classes tailored to people with joint injuries or pain.
The Rehabilitation Specialist at Barbican, Joelle, runs these sessions brilliantly, offering us differentiated support, in-depth knowledge of the mental and physical impacts of joint pain on wellbeing, and always supportive and encouraging in the classes.
At the end of the programme I can feel the difference in how I move and mobilise, and I have a plan I can continue to use to get even fitter.