Zest Physical Activity Referral Scheme.

Zest Physical Activity Referral Scheme is a community based scheme based in our friendly down to earth centre. In our centre you will find:

• Library
• Café
• Swimming pool with excellent disabled access
• Gym
• Exercise classes
• Other health services and community groups

We are very proud of our non intimidating environment, friendly atmosphere and professional staff.

Once we have received your referral we will book an appointment with you to see one of our qualified Exercise Referral instructors.

During this appointment we will discuss the reason for your referral and discuss the best type of activity for you. Everybody is different! What might work for one person may not necessarily work for the other. We are committed to developing the best physical activity programme for you.

Below are some of the services we offer, you may decide to do a combination of these things or simply choose one e.g swimming.

What we can offer  -  Cardiac Rehabilitation  

Gym sessions (for Cardiac Rehabilitation):

Every Tuesday we have our Cardiac Rehabilitation only session in the gym. This provides a friendly atmosphere with people in similar situations to your own. We also run gym sessions for Cardiac Rehabilitation patient’s Tues-Fri, all of which are supervised by a qualified Cardiac Rehabilitation instructor

Group circuit sessions (for Cardiac Rehabilitation):

Every Wed at 12:30pm we have a circuit session. This gives you the opportunity to vary the type of exercise you are doing as well as keeping it interesting. Alternatively it means that there is a different type of exercise available to those who may not enjoy the gym setting. This is particularly good for those with mobility issues or those lacking in confidence/motivation. There is a huge social aspect to our Cardiac Rehabilitation circuit; we have hot drinks afterwards which gives you the opportunity to have a chat with the Cardiac Rehabilitation instructor and others who have been through similar experiences. 

Exercise Referral Pilates (for Cardiac Rehabilitation):

Our Pilates sessions at Zest are ran by a BACR qualified instructor so this gives patients the opportunity to experience a different type of physical activity whilst still being under the supervision of their Cardiac Rehabilitation instructor.

At Zest we teach Modern Pilates which adopts a clinical approach, which has been developed by physiotherapists, this type of Pilates fits into our Exercise Referral scheme perfectly allowing classes to specifically address the patient’s conditions. As the cardiac population tends to be ‘older adults’ the majority of older adults experience joint pain and/or neck/lower back pain at some point. Hopefully by also being able to address these issues the patient can continue to take part in exercising for their heart (walking, exercise bike etc).

Our Pilates instructor is qualified to teach Pilates for the general population as well as the older adult specific conditions such as; osteoporosis, spondylosis, knee/hip replacements and is specialised in spinal conditions as well as being a qualified Cardiac Rehabilitation instructor.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is gentle exercise that is good for relaxation, co-ordination, strengthening and balance. Our Tai Chi class at Zest is taught by a specialist Tai Chi instructor who has trained specifically for Tai Chi and arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, falls prevention, osteoporosis and back pain. The classes are tailored to those who attend and their specific health conditions.

Exercise Referral Specific Modern Pilates

Modern Pilates is a clinically based form of Pilates developed by physiotherapists. It is specifically designed to help with specific spinal and joint conditions.

At Zest we run a specific session for those referred for musculoskeletal issues. Following the patients’ initial consultation the referral instructor will then invite the patient to attend the Exercise Referral Pilates session, during these sessions the exercises taught will be selected particularly for those in the class, this is possible because the instructor will have pre screened the patient first. This class is limited in numbers to ensure a ‘hands on’ approach and a specialised service. Our Pilates instructor is qualified in Pilates for the older adult, and is also a spinal conditions/back care specialist. This class is particularly good for those referred for lower back pain, osteoarthritis, hip/knee replacements, spondylosis, sciatica and many other conditions, or simply for those wishing to improve posture and avoid future problems.

Warm water swimming / aerobics / aqua – gym/ disabled sessions

Here at Zest we keep our pool water warmer due to our high percentage of disabled users. We have a low gradient sloping ramp into the pool as well as a DDA compliant hoist into the water, ideal for wheelchair access or for those who struggle to access a pool using the ladders found in most public pools. We offer aqua aerobics which is a fantastic way of doing aerobic exercise whilst putting minimal stress on the joints, as well as our aqua gym, this is gym equipment in the water e.g. bike and rower.

Gym programmes

All gym programmes are written on a 1-1 basis, the referral instructor will go round and set a programme specifically for you based on the reason for your referral, many pieces of gym equipment are particularly good for those with mobility issues including the Power Plate which has been proven to be beneficial for gaining muscular strength without taking the joint through a range of movements, which can help those with limited mobility. It also improves flexibility and circulation.

During our gym programmes you may not even use any of our gym equipment, we often design programmes that are chair based or exercises that don’t require any equipment at all! It will all be aimed at your own level, starting off gently and progression is made at the individual’s pace. You will be highly supported throughout your programme with regular re-assessment appointments and constant supervision from highly qualified gym staff, there to help you.

Obesity /diabetes referrals 

Gym programme (with an obesity and diabetes exercise specialist)

All gym programmes are written on a 1-1 basis, the referral instructor will go round and set a programme specifically for the patient based on the reason for referral, we have many pieces of gym equipment which are particularly good for those with mobility issues including the Power Plate.

Aqua Gym

Our Aqua Gym is unique in Sheffield; it is exercise equipment in the water. So it supports the weight of the individual causing less stress on the joints and is a great alternative to swimming or an addition to your work out in the water.

Healthy walks

The group meet here at Zest and go on supported walk at the right intensity for the group. Often venturing a bit further afield in the mini bus, visiting places such as Chatsworth House and Dam Flask.

Chair aerobics

Safe and effective exercise all done from a seated position. This can improve strength, mobility and flexibility, perfect for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Some people prefer to exercise as a group; it is a good opportunity for socialising and getting to know people here at Zest.

Details and times of all of the above can be found within our website or speak to a member of our friendly reception team.