Move it or Lose it fitness classes coming to Buckie, Fochabers and Fogwatt
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FITNESS programme aiming to help older people get into shape is coming to three locations in Moray.
Ruth Archer, a mother of two from Buckie, is set to run Move it or Lose it exercise classes aimed at older people who want to stay active as long as possible.
The classes will take place at the All Saints Church Hall in Buckie and the Fochabers Scout Hall on a Monday and Fogwatt Hall on a Wednesday. The first class will be held on August 30.
While these three locations will be where the classes begin in Moray, Ruth hopes to expand in future.
She was inspired to become an instructor with Move it or Lose it, based in Birmingham, after spotting a gap in the market in Moray.
Ruth said: "My great aunt was moving up to Moray and I was trying to find things for her to do and there were limited options.
"That's what pushed me to get in contact with Move it or Lose it. I passed my course with them in May to get their accreditation and become one of their instructors.
"I still have a full-time job as a civil servant at the moment but I'm hoping to expand in the future, once I've established the demand."
Ruth is already involved in the world of exercise, teaching aerial fitness at Vallen Fitness Studio in Elgin three times a week.
This new venture is more focused on the elderly, with Ruth adding that the mission is to help people stay independent for longer.
She said: “It’s unbelievable to think that 25 per of women and seven per cent of men over the age of 70 do not have sufficient leg strength to get out of a chair without using their arms.
"This is when the problems begin as they are at risk of losing their strength and with it their independence.
"Just doing the right exercises can turn back the clock so they can keep doing the things they love for longer.
"We have also found that people like the social aspect of these classes, and getting out and making new friends.
"We will hold a session with a cup of tea and a fancy piece after class every couple of months to get more of that aspect."
To try a Move it or Lose it class, the first is always free, contact Ruth Archer via email at Ruth.Archer@moveitorloseit.co.uk, phone on 07434938595 or visit www.moveitorloseit.co.uk/classes.
