THOSE suffering with long term medical conditions will be able to kickstart a healthy new year thanks to rehabilitative gym sessions in Knutsford.

Patients say their lives have been 'transformed' through a cardiac rehabilitation programme at Knutsford Leisure Centre over the past 20 years.

And people are now returning to Everybody Gym to do exercises on their own after guided sessions stopped during the pandemic.

Classes, renamed Heartbeat, are open to anyone suffering from any chronic medical condition.

Derek Reeder, 74, who had a heart attack when he was on holiday in Tenerife in 2004, is championing the gym.

The retired design director has made a great recovery since having a double heart bypass and believes exercise is the key.

He said: "We are now in touch with 26 members who previously attended the official Heartbeat rehab classes at the Knutsford Leisure Centre, although not all are able to join in the gym sessions yet, mainly due to health related limitations.

"We are now operating two sessions per week meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am, with a relaxation period and refreshments afterwards.

"This is an unofficial group and there is a really friendly 'club' atmosphere which all are enjoying.

"This has all been made possible by the leisure centre manager and his team who have supported us really well and we wish to record our appreciation and thanks to them."

Everybody Leisure is now in the process of organising 'Multi-Rehabilitation' classes with a qualified instructor to lead the sessions at Knutsford commencing on Tuesday, January 25.

"The Tuesday and Thursday sessions will continue and build on the established programme," Derek added.

"Our existing members will automatically be assimilated into this programme.

"These classes will be open to anybody with a long term medical condition subject to an initial consultation and there is also the opportunity of an initial 12 week instruction programme for new or existing members with ongoing sessions then continuing indefinitely.

"We will continue to meet afterwards for our 'social relaxation' period just as we do now and look forward to welcoming new members to our 'club'.

"This is all, of course, subject to the spread of Covid and it may be that we need to suspend all activities for a time and that the new official classes may be postponed."

Mabel Taylor, 84, who had a heart attack in May 2016, says keeping fit has boosted her confidence and she is keen to encourage more people to come along to the sessions in the new year.

"Getting back to the gym now after being stuck at home during the pandemic has been wonderful. It definitely helps your mental health.

"We want everyone to come back and join us again."