Tomás (89) among attendees of new fitness class
Coosan man Tomás Ó’Duinn (89) is the oldest participant at the ExWell fitness class at Athlone Regional Sports Centre.
The ExWell Medical Programme was launched in January by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group to help those with chronic illnesses.
Tomás was referred to attend the fitness class by his GP who said it would be advantageous for his general health.
Tomás says he looks forward to the class and getting out of the house. “You meet new people. There’s people in the class that travel 25 miles to it.”
He used to box, play hurling and do orienteering in his youth. The 89-year-old had a fall about five weeks ago.
“I walk every morning to get the paper and I fell one morning.
“I was nervous walking again after the fall. I had to have the phone in my pocket the whole time. The more of these exercises I did the more sure I was in my walking. I’m walking faster now. I do half an hour’s walk at ease now.”
According to Tomás, the class is great for his balance and strengthening the muscles. “We do a lot of arm stretches and balancing exercises and we lift weights up and down in a seat and over the head. I’m not afraid of falling now because of all the balancing and strengthening work.”
Instructor Edel Larkin asked Tomás to get up on the stage one day and demonstrate to the rest of the class how to do boxing motions as he said she was doing it incorrectly. Tomás enjoys attending the fitness class twice a week. “I enjoy meeting new people and Edel makes us laugh with her remarks.”
Another participant of the Exwell medical programme, Pat O’Callaghan says: “Since joining Exwell, the stiffness in my back has freed up, muscles have gotten strong again and I can now swing a golf club with ease and comfort, I even won the Club Weekend Competition in October which I believe I could not have achieved without the contribution of the Exwell Exercise Programme. Apart from the benefit to my golf game, I really feel the benefit to my physical wellbeing. Joining Exwell was the best thing I did in 2021!”
Colm Connolly, participant of the Midlands Exwell Medical programme: “When my doctor suggested I do this programme, I must admit I was hesitant. But now twelve weeks later, I am so glad I took his advice as it is one of the best things I’ve ever done! With the help of Edel and the fitness team, the programme has been of great benefit to me.
“I’ve lost a stone in weight, I can walk a lot more and I can now do the whole hour of class without getting breathless. I’ve also met some lovely people in the class, it is great for your mental wellbeing as well.”
The programme offers community-based supervised exercise classes, as well as home programmes to people with many different long-term illnesses.
The aim of the new medical fitness programme is to provide effective, high quality, safe and accessible exercise rehabilitation to those with chronic illness.
The classes are free and funded by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Participants must be referred by a medical professional.