The latest initiative we’ve launched at Westbank Community Health and Care, called Gymclusive, is something we believe will be truly transformative in enabling people to exercise safely and improve their health and fitness, including disabled people, those with long-term health conditions or injuries and those with reduced mobility. As the charity’s Gym Manager, it’s something I am really proud to be involved in.

We believe Gymclusive is a unique offering in our region - the only fully accessible gym that’s open to all, with specific equipment for wheelchair users and certified trainers with expertise in adaptive fitness, rehabilitation and working with individuals with disabilities.

Our existing gym at Westbank’s Healthy Living Centre in Exminster has been given a top-to-toe makeover with the addition of even more specialist, state-of-the art equipment. Gymclusive is the result of us partnering with a number of organisations, including the Exeter Chiefs Foundation who funded SkiErg, one of our new pieces of apparatus. Added to all this, accessible classes will provide an inclusive, safe and welcoming space, where everyone can stay active and get fit.

Exercising at a gym is about so much more than building muscle. Gymclusive empowers you to support both your physical and mental health in a supportive environment that fosters a sense of wellbeing and community. We wanted to ensure that opportunity is available for everyone. It’s part of our mission to help people of all ages and abilities live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives for as long as they can.

Membership of Gymclusive has another unique benefit. Your membership fee is invested back into the charity to fund not just this, but a range of other health and wellbeing initiatives of benefit to Devon’s wider community.

We proudly launched with two events in early October, and we were delighted that so many of Westbank’s partners, supporters and champions in our community were able to join us to find out more about Gymclusive and see it in action. 

If you would like to join or find out more, the Gymclusive team would be happy to show you around. We hope to welcome you soon.

Natasha Willis, Fitness Manager, Westbank Community Health and Care. 

Visit www.westbank.org.uk/gymclusive for more information.

This article was first published in The Moorlander