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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want to get gym membership on the NHS

339 replies

lucyellensmum · 24/04/2008 17:47

Our local swimming pool does GP reffered memberships and fitness programs. I suffer with depression and anxiety - i used to love the gym but i cannot afford it or justify the time away from DD. If i could get this at a reduced rate i could ask my mum to have DD for a couple of hours a week just so i could get back on track - i want to come off of ADs but cant do so without an outlet. Has anyone any experience of this?

OP posts:

cluckyagain · 24/04/2008 17:49

Not personally but I would go and see the GP to see if you can be included.

MascaraOHara · 24/04/2008 17:51

are you serious?

lots of people can't afford a gym membership and I also suffer from depression.. I would not expect the NHS to pay for the luxury of being a member of the gym.. where would it end?

sleepycat · 24/04/2008 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

saadia · 24/04/2008 17:54

agree with sleepycat, going for a run or walk in the fresh air will help and if you really want to exercise you could get a DVD, it will boost your energy and your mood.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 24/04/2008 17:59

ah, i see posting this in AIBU is not a good plan. I am actually being really absolutely serious. We are not talking swanky gym but local council run gym and swimming pool - so just a few exercise machines and a algae infested pool. A freind of mine was reffered because she wanted to lose weight, that is a health issue - she wasn't that big (good luck to her) So why not if you have depression, it is after all a medical condition that is documented to respond to exercise.

I do take on board what you are saying mascara and i do think it is a bit of a cheek me asking, but its got to be worth a try hasn;t it.

Yes, running is free, i agree, and i used to enjoy it, i need to work up to that though

OP posts:

seb1 · 24/04/2008 17:59

In our area over 50s can go to an exercise class for 50p for under 50s it is £4.50, so I am being lazy for another 11 years.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 24/04/2008 18:01

I guess i dont have much hope really, i mean, they wasn't able to pay for the luxury of counselling and CBT that i requested either. Mind you, i bet the gym membership is cheaper

OP posts:

LookattheLottie · 24/04/2008 18:04

Agree, I don't know many people that can afford the luxury of a gym membership. Don't see why you would be of any greater importance than the next person who wants free gym membership, but who can't afford it and spare the time. I've just got over my pnd and I found going for a run made me feel so much better, as did stopping smoking and eating a lot healthier. All helped hugely!

I'm now running 4 and a half miles a day to get back to my pre pg weight, I feel better than ever for doing it.

OrmIrian · 24/04/2008 18:04

The gym at our swimming pool offers really cheap deals with a subsidy if you are a district resident. Perhaps yours does? And running doesn't have to be marathon training. I started off doing a mile round the park. But I know it's daunting to start with when you are unfit.

Fullmoonfiend · 24/04/2008 18:04

I suppose the problem is where do you draw the line LEM. If you got free gym membership, what would happen when you became well again. You could argue that you needed to continue in order to reamin well.
I mean, excersise is also an effective way to ward off depression so in a way, free gym membership would benefit everyone IFSWIM...

Can you find a buddy to team up with to excersise outdoors with; jogging, long walks, or aerobics to a dvd?

lisad123 · 24/04/2008 18:04

sorry by why should NHS pay for that? They are over stretched as it is. Swimming is what £3-4 a time? Hardly expensive is it? And why are you able to get your mum to watch your LO when its free but not when you have to pay? I know exserise is linked to improved MH and happines, but you can exserise for free, walking, running, bike riding, and if you help out at local stable some will give you a free lesson.

FrannyandZooey · 24/04/2008 18:04

I've read plenty about exercise on prescription and I think it is a sensible way to decrease NHS costs in the long term]

our gym gets referrals from gps for loads of people who need to improve their CV health

I hope you might be able to get this yourself, it's a really good idea for depression

FrannyandZooey · 24/04/2008 18:07

here's one example of it working

the gym offers sessions during the weekday daytimes when the gyms are usually empty
if you go to our gym during the day in the week, it is full of people who have been referred by GP
gym would be empty otherwise

Twinkie1 · 24/04/2008 18:09

Join a running club in your area - cheaper and you will make friends - you can work up to running doing interval training - there is no need to go to a gym!

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 24/04/2008 18:11

I am really quite shocked and disappointed at the replies. I recently visited my doctor and was told to take responsibility for myself. I think my gym membership would cost the NHS a lot less in the long term than my AD prescription and further expensive therapy. I was not being selfish, but just putting my idea out there as i feel this would be a great benefit for those with depression, which is an Illness just the same as diabetes and heart conditions. OF course i wouldnt expect this to be paid for long term, but they offer an exercise scheme and training program.

OP posts:

LadyOfWaffle · 24/04/2008 18:12

I sort of see what you mean - how exercise is a big help in depression but yet it costs quite alot for a gym etc., but gyms (IMHO) are only replacements for 'real' exercise that is free - jogging (the treadmill), cycling (the bikes), kicking a ball about with someone (I am sure they invented machines that would work the same muscles). Our swimming pool does a month swimming pass for about £20, so if you go alot it can work out very cheap. Especially now it's summer it should be alot nicer and easier getting out and about outside.

FrannyandZooey · 24/04/2008 18:13

LEM I think it is great that you are thinking of ways to help yourself through this

good luck with it

bungalowbelle · 24/04/2008 18:13

Come on. Go for a run in the park. You're having a larf.

bungalowbelle · 24/04/2008 18:13

Come on. Go for a run in the park. You're having a larf.

LookattheLottie · 24/04/2008 18:14

'it is after all a medical condition that is documented to respond to exercise.'

Yes it is a medical condition, but where does it end? With a free gym membership? A free house? A free car? Free food? If you're adamant that exercise will help, I found it did, then go for a walk and build up your stanima to run, it's free and the tax payers wont end up needing to foot the bill for every single depressed person in the UK wanting a free gym membership.

I underdstand you want to get out and exercise and have time to yourself, but you can. It doesn't mean you need a gym membership. Honestly, go for a 30 minute power walk every night, you'll feel better within days.

CountessDracula · 24/04/2008 18:14

I think you are right LEM

But I think if they are to give these things then careful monitoring is required to ensure that they are being used properly - how many people take up the gym for a couple of weeks and then bin it?

OrmIrian · 24/04/2008 18:14

I agree with you LEM fwiw. Exercise lifts my mood like nothing else. But I doubt it will happen any time soon.

LadyOfWaffle · 24/04/2008 18:15

I do however think they should run some sort of exercise programmes (whether it be in a gym or not) for people with depression and the like, I think it would encourage people. It is definatly as important (if not more so) than the mountains of drugs they dish out instead.

YouHaventSeenMe · 24/04/2008 18:15

Good Lord.

Whatever next.

Original poster

lucyellensmum · 24/04/2008 18:15

LEM is putting her trainers on........

OP posts:

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