BBC reports on new Stroke Rehabilitation work at Howbery’s Gym (with video)

A gym specialising in rehabilitation, based at Howbery Business Park in Wallingford, is helping people of all ages to improve their quality of life through movement therapy.

Lifestyles Gym was started in 2011 by Lisa Treacher and her then business partner, an Olympic hockey player, fulfilling a dream Lisa had had of owning her own gym since the age of seventeen. Starting from just a few machines and a limited range of weights, the gym has since expanded to include a complete range of cardio equipment, weight training areas and treatment rooms.

“Lifestyles is first and foremost a rehabilitation centre”, explains Lisa, who is now the sole owner of the gym, since her business partner moved to live in Belgium. “This is our passion. Whether it’s due to a sporting injury, stress at work, or a serious stroke or cardiac condition, we aim to get our clients moving and give them back some quality of life. Everyone can benefit from movement therapy to help reduce chronic pain and the risk of injury, or to enhance their performance.”

Clients who come to the gym, some following a referral from their GP, include those who have had a heart attack or stroke, or who have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s Disease, cancer, depression, and many other conditions. Programmes tailored to suit each person’s individual needs can include working on balance, flexibility, muscle control and confidence issues, as well as cardio, strength and conditioning training.

Donna Bowles, Estates Manager for Howbery Business Park, said: “Lifestyles is a great asset to the park, with many of our tenants and staff using the regular gym before and after work to keep fit. We’re very proud of the inspiring work Lisa is doing here to improve the quality of life for people affected by conditions like stroke.”

The gym also offers personal training as well as onsite therapy rooms providing physiotherapy, osteopathy, naturopathy, sports massage, acupuncture, reflexology, hypnotherapy and foot care, including custom-made shoe orthotics.

Watch the Lifestyles Rehabilitation Gym & Performance Centre video below