Bognor Regis man sheds pounds and boosts fitness thanks to council’s Health Referral Programme

Brian Watts has come on ‘leaps and bounds’ since joining the Health Referral Programme offered by Arun Leisure Centre, which is managed by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Arun District Council.

Before, the 71-year-old had been unable to stand on one leg and suffered a lot of pain. He said: “I could only walk about a 100 yards at a slow pace and would often have to sit down.”

But since he started attending aqua exercise classes twice a week, Brian has lost weight, his balance has improved and he can now stand on one leg.

One of his fitness instructors said: “Brian is a very outgoing and happy person, who gets on well with everyone and keeps the class fun. He has come on in leaps and bounds, has lost a lot of weight and is now working in rehabilitating his knee and back.”

Brian joined Arun Leisure Centre in September after meeting a fitness instructor at his Obesity UK meeting in Bognor.

He discovered that Freedom Leisure offers a special membership rate to people completing courses with Obesity UK.

The Health Referral Programme at the leisure centre includes group classes, specialist courses and individual programmes.

There are six classes a week including GP Aquatic exercise classes, GP Hydro spin, and Health referral circuits running at Arun Leisure Centre and Bersted Park Community Centre.

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