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?

I own a chain of gyms and love the idea of the NHS paying for loads of memberships.

If you are motivated you could go walking with dd, do an exercise DVD while she sleeps etc. A lot of people can't afford a gym membership but it's not for the NHS to subsidise this when there is plenty else people could do to help themselves. You say you can't justify time away from dd for the gym, yet you could if someone else was paying for the gym?

We have a GP referral scheme in our area. One of my friends has just completed a scheme for arm and leg muscle development, although she had to do a bit of arm-twisting at the doctors, as nobody knew about the scheme. She got advice on what exercises to do from the GP Referral specialist, and a discount rate (£3 instead of £5) for 16 casual sessions - no membership involved. Outcome was very succesful.

It's ridiculous to pay for something like that when there are people who can't get the help they need due to lack of resources

I know this was a zombie thread but I have found it really interesting. I am overweight with some mh issues and am going to explore what might be available near me to help. There is loads of useful info here. Carry on!

I agree that swimming, walking and exercise will help you OP

I don't think you have a cats chacne in hell of having it funded though, so why not put the energy into getting the money and structure in place to do this

also do you have a garden/acess to a garden

I swear ti god its the best anti depressant gardening is x

Maybe the NHS should open gyms instead of clinics.

I agree to you that natural exercise would be hugely beneficial to you and indeed a lot of people with medical issues but...

I don't think gym's are actually very healthy ways to exercise, being outside is much better for you, a brisk walk, a gentle jog, put the baby in the pushchair and go and explore the fresh air.

If I had a dog with issues I wouldn't believe that making it run on the spot staring at the same bit of wall would help it one iota, same for humans.

I swear ti god its the best anti depressant gardening is

Yes! Totally agree, even if you just planting window boxes, I find growing my own food really rewarding although I have to say growing sweet peas is up there too, we had free flowers in every room for months last year!

OP - sorry if this has already been mentioned but I could not be bothered to trawl through all the snarky comments.

In our area some of the GP practice have in practice gyms with a personal trainer which are free for patients with certain conditions to use. Depression is one those conditions.

Alternatively in our area we have "health trainers" who are employed by the local authority to help people meet their fitness goals. Whatever those goals may be. Although I don't think you get free membership to a gym, they act as a coach/motivator which when you are feeling depressed and unmotivated can be excellent.

Good luck!

Maybe zombied because it finished 9 years ago?

"Where I live in London council gyms and pools are free to anyone disabled or in receipt of certain benefits. It doesn't cost the NHS anything!! "

Actually, mental health doesn't come into this "free" from councils gym membership scheme - neither do serious medical conditions like diabetes etc. unless you are claiming benefits.The NHS does provide "prescription gym and PT" services regardless of whether you are on benefits or not - so yes, it's justified that people are against it. It is not the same as what councils offer to those on benefits.

My brother suffers serious MH problems, he was given gym on prescription ( he declined, he does 10-20 mile bike rides every evening). The only reason it was offered was because the side effect of his medication was weight gain, and he gained a hell of a lot, but it wasn't because of his MH.

I know this is a a zombie thread too but I read some of the comments and felt I had to post.
Research strongly suggests that exercise is a good as anti-depressants and better than cbt at treating depression. The last two are funded by the NHS so why not exercise? It also has the added benefit of improving long term health outcomes. So actually it is probably more cost effective in the long term.
Genetically we all respond to different types of exercise in different ways. If you are a non responder to a certain type of exercise then you are probably not going to get much out of it and are therefore less likely to continue with it. If the OP knows she enjoys the gym and responds well then this is am effective type of exercise program for her and should be supported.
Long term the NHS should be looking to educate people on exercise and make it more accessible possibly by subsiding. Exercise is clinically proven to be beneficial to a number of conditions and also helps to slow the progress of certain conditions. Increased physical fitness also significantly improves surgical outcomes.

LOL....so funny....love yr comment....im a newbie and neva saw the age of th post....felt sorri for Sueellensmum....amazed to see how the argument has resurrected after 8 years lol...

sorry....x

I can't believe the Nhs gives away gym membership... unbelievable!

I think it's a brilliant idea - it's not pitch up and get free membership it's a GP referral for appropriate patients who would benefit from a tailored short course at local council gym. It's supervised carefully and includes support from personal trainer.
Depression responds really well to exercise and it's a whole lot cheaper for NHS and better for patients than medication.

You are absolutely not being unreasonable- go and speak to your GP and get yourself well by your efforts to help yourself. Well done for even considering it!

You get 10 free sessions OP, just ask your GP, I'm going to ignore the absolute cunts that are on page 1 and just reply to your question no clue if the thread has moved on

Actually it's moved on a long, long way, Just. The OP posted in 2008.

I have heard on the grapevine in my area a new gym is opening with a promise that contracts will never exist and they will be very reasonably priced (I presume compared to its local competition) Apparently they are also trying to get a grant for a free fitness class to the public who genuinely need the help but can't afford gym access. I will definitely supporting them if what I hear is true, at the moment I'm hearing late July is when they look to open, will report back more when I know more.

Gym membership on the NHS? What a fucking joke. When the service is struggling to pay for cancer treatments and basic services??!! Get a fucking Fitbit and walk. Lots of free exercise routines on YouTube. Leave the NHS alone before we lost it completely.

*lose

FUCKING ZOMBIE THREAD