Mansfield gyms introduce Covid-19 rehab training for its instructors

More than four million people in the UK are struggling with the effects of the virus and Mansfield District Leisure Trust has announced its staff have taken part in training to help them get back on their feet.

CAWS® Rebuild™-certified coaches will be equipped to work with individuals recovering from the disease – including the debilitating long Covid.

Ten level three fitness coaches at Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Water Meadows Swimming & Fitness Complex and Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre are completing the programme, which is recognised across Europe as the leading education course in Covid-19 rehabilitation for fitness and sports professionals.

Andrew Smith, contract manager for the trust trust, said: “As we approach the potential reopening date of April 12 for gyms and fitness facilities, it is vital that

our teams are expertly prepared to deal with the unique challenge presented by the Covid era.

“We’ve been running safety training and refresher courses during lockdowns, but the Covid-focused programme was something that really stood out as adding value to our health and fitness offering.

“Rebuild™ is proving popular with our gym teams who see this new type of training as adding to their customer-focused skill sets.

“By April 12, I fully expect us to have 10 gym staff fully qualified and ready to expertly assist those customers who’ve experienced Covid-19 at its most direct level.”

CAWS® built the Rebuild™ Programme in response to the needs of individuals who have lived with coronavirus and suffering with ongoing symptoms in the wake of the virus.

Common symptoms of long Covid are extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness and difficulty sleeping and. The symptoms could last for weeks or months.

The Rebuild™ training initiative has been personally funded by co-founders, managing director, Mel Spooner, and education director, Dr Colin Robertson.

Mel said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Mansfield District Leisure Trust to offer our Rebuild™ programme.

“As an operator, they have seen the clear, added value a product like this brings to their teams working on the gym floor and, just as importantly, to the customers who’ll be returning to much-missed facilities having lived with Covid-19.”

Dr Robertson said the success of the programme could leave a lasting legacy in the area.

“As a sector we have made some big claims with regard to our place in this, being both preventative and part of the solution,” he said.

"Now is the opportunity for us to step up and deliver that.

“If we get this right, if we start to work with people and have that broader impact, we can grow exercise participation as a whole beyond where it’s been sat for the last 25 years easily, just by getting the right messages across now.

“We’re extremely grateful to Mansfield District Leisure Trust for joining the initiative, as together we can help far more people who are seeking help.”

For more information on the centres and to enquire about the course, see the Leisure Trust’s website.

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