To want to get gym membership on the NHS

[lucyellensmum]

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?

YABU.
There are lots of council ran and community ran free groups e.g. classes and parkruns etc. Use those.

Why should you get a gym membership when the NHS is struggling to cover everythimg?

Oh just seen last page. Old thread. Ignore my comment.

9 years ago, people. This thread is from 9 years ago.

Do any of your local parks have those out door gyms?

I haven't read the full thread, but would your depression and anxiety allow you to go to the council run gym?

Anxiety and depression here, and there's no way that I could.

my health club pool is in the dark so I feel like I am able to go there to ithout any ridicule for my body size. I also feel that I am much more comfortable there than at any other gym I've been to.

Many Drs do referrals for council run gyms though

Why is this thread so old??

Can I ask a silly question - which posts stay for years and years and which ones disappear after 30 days?!

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

So its not about cannot justify the time away from DD because as soon as its free you could ask your mum?

Sorry I don't agree with the stretched NHS paying for stuff like this. A reduction to the rate maybe, but paying full for someone to use the gym? Another massive waste of money. Can't believe this still happens tbh

RTFT Monkey ffs. Zombie. Sorry.

Also a small reduction to the rate even though it was a zombie. Meaning a couple of quid. Not heavily subsidized. Though really, the NHS shouldn't be paying for hobbies at all. Anymore than the NHS should pay for cosmetic surgery (with the exceptions of illness based and reconstruction after surgery)

The nhs doesn't pay for it the gym does

Zombie thread sorry

I know it's a zombie thread but I was referred and accepted for this programme. Due to depression and anxiety.
I know that won't be popular. I haven't used it, nor signed to anything because I forgot after having baby 😳and joined the gym myself. But I thought it was a really good idea.
I've seen benefits already after joining the gym, I'm more motivated, energetic, happier. It's done wonders for my mental health

The NHS is falling to bits and they can't even provide talking therapy in my area, no matter how serious the issue - but they gave out free gym memberships? Wow.

Go for a walk

Me?

Part of the benefit of referred exercise schemes is also the social element - just not the same going for a walk/run on your own, or sitting on an exercise bike in your front room

I disagree.
Very few people chat to each other at the gym. It's not really the place to go and socialise/or make friends.
People are too wrapped up in their own excercise and I never see strangers making friends and 'chatting'.
It's a shame really, because I think some people think that there's a lot of social interaction at the gym.

The only time I see people chatting is if they have gone with a friend to start with.

In fact, I think you are more likely to stop and chat and interact with people if you go for a walk, especially if you walk a dog. Dog walkers are very sociable people.

Part of the benefit of referred exercise schemes is also the social element

Uh. Really? When do you get all chatty with someone? This scheme is for people who either have a serious MH issue and therefore unlikely to communicate with anyone, or people who are overweight and struggle to get through each session focusing on not having a heart attack.

Is there some naked shower chat clique that I don't know about?

9 YR OLD ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT!

My borough, Haringey, pays for free off -peak gym membership for all over 65's. ( I wish it was 60 as that's more when bodies start to fall apart.) That's the borough not the NHS. They also subsidise a scheme where you can get three months of mentoring and gym classes if you have particular health issues eg depression, BMI over 30 etc. then after that cut price membership for a year.

Seems to be an excellent way of saving money to me. I doubt that they pay full fees as it's bulk buying. The cost of not trying to get people healthy is much much higher.

This is like free bus passes - saves health ££ and/or other less obvious costs eg air pollution.
.

There is also pure gym and 'the gym' I know any money is a lot when things are tight, but you can get memberships here cheaper than LA gyms, so if you happen to live near one, you can sign up (no contract) for as little as £10.99 a month (depending on where you are).

oops just noted this is an ancient thread..

Of course exercise should be prescribed for obesity, depression etc but there is absolutely no need for the NHS to fork out for a gym membership! How ridiculous when exercise is totally free.

Run, walk or if you can't face going outside or find it hard with your lo then do an exercise video at home. No need to worry about people looking at you if you feel self conscious or care for your child. There are millions of exercise videos on Facebook and YouTube for free and for all levels of ability and style. You do not need free gym membership!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh god just saw the date. Sorry!

I wonder if kelliannsmum is also lucyellensmum?

Waiting 9 YEARS to come back and defend herself should have been the perfect crime...