Member Spotlight: How Aqua Zumba Turned Kevin’s Health Around

‘I’m 73 years old and have type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis in both my knees, hands and fingers. So light and regular exercise activities have always played an important part in my life. COVID, and the subsequent lockdowns, changed my life completely. My wife Carol has health issues that meant she was classified as ‘vulnerable’, so we barely left our home for over two years during the various lockdowns. That resulted in a lack of exercise and increase in comfort eating. Our weight substantially increased, and my diabetes was completely out of control. By the end of it all, my knees had deteriorated. I was having difficulty walking and was struggling with a lot of pain.

Once the leisure centres reopened, I worked out a gym programme with my physiotherapist and started to make some progress. I used to love my aqua classes prior to the pandemic, but the previous instructor didn’t return after lockdown and that slot had been replaced with Becky King and her Aqua Zumba classes.

I was sceptical. Particularly given that this is a ‘dance’ based class, what with my arthritis issues, but I went along to one of Becky’s classes and it was great! I spoke with Becky after the class and told her about my issues. She listened and was responsive. She encouraged me to attend more classes and I’m so glad I did. I now attend Becky’s classes 2 or 3 times a week and have done for the past 6 months.

Being back in the water is great for me, I feel supported, so my balance issues are not as obvious. The water also creates resistance making the exercise more effective, and of course my knees are supported. My wife Carol also attends the classes; she loves them too.

I would encourage anyone with weight, balance, or joint concerns to consider Aqua Zumba classes. I have lost all my lockdown weight, over 12kg so far and more importantly my blood pressure, cholesterol and Hba1c are all back in normal range.

I’m so grateful to Becky, I love my Aqua Zumba classes and they have improved my whole physical health. Becky is a great all-inclusive coach, and I am now considering adding Becky’s Zumba Gold classes to my programme to help improve my aerobic capacity.

My wife and I are both over 70 with only our pensions for an income, so we enjoy the fact that, once you turn 70, you can enjoy everything an SCL membership has to offer for £54 a year. We have unlimited access to all these great facilities and classes, and it works out at around just a pound a week!

I love my Eccles Leisure Centre, the team are so supportive and always available to give support and advice. I love the centre and its facilities, and I hope I can use it for many years to come’.