Exercise Referral Programme
What is the Exercise Referral Programme?
Our 12-week Exercise Referral Programme is based in the Sport and Wellbeing Academy at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus in the Erasmus Darwin Building. The Academy was launched in September 2023 and is fitted with state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
At the start of the programme participants will complete a health and fitness assessment to measure baseline fitness levels. This allows our exercise practitioners to tailor the 1-2-1 exercise programme to suit the individual’s requirements and goals. Each session is one hour and consists of a warm-up, mobility exercises, functional movement and conditioning exercises. All exercises can be modified to the individual’s ability.
Attendance is a commitment of one hour per week at the Sports and Wellbeing Academy for the duration of the programme to ensure participants gain maximum benefits. Once the programme is complete, the practitioner will provide support and guidance on how to maintain the exercises and movements learnt, to enable the participant to continue building exercise into their daily routine.
Sessions are scheduled Monday – Friday and we can be flexible on times if there are particular days and times that are required.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the programme you will need to fulfil at least one of the following criteria:
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or over
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Suffer with stress/Ill mental health
- Currently do less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per week
- Suffer from chronic pain
- Have joint or mobility problems, or an ailment that impacts on your daily activity
- Suffer from consistent lower back pain
- Have arthritis
- Be a smoker
Participants need to be aged 19 or over and live in the local community or be an NTU staff member.
Car parking is available for participants of the programme.
We make our bookings using Power Diary booking system
Frequently Asked Questions
Please wear clothing you are comfortable to exercise in that is breathable and flexible. Suitable footwear is essential.
Yes, there are three changing room cubicles located in the SAWA. Please allow yourself enough time before your session starts to get changed.
All you need to bring with you is a water bottle, and a small gym towel is optional.
If you require any medication or inhalers to support your exercise, please ensure you have these to hand before starting the session.
Don’t worry if you have never exercised before. The programme is tailored to suit your ability, assessed during the first week. This programme is an ideal way to introduce you to exercise and provide you with the knowledge and skills to continue exercising when you have completed the programme.
Please let us know as soon as possible and follow the cancellation process. This is explained within the welcome pack provided when you start the programme.
Yes, it is advised to have a small meal at least one hour before the session or a snack around 30 minutes before. It is important to consume some carbohydrates during the meal or snack to provide the body with fuel (e.g. a banana, a sandwich, toast or cereal).
Sessions are one hour, broken down into three sections including: warm-up and mobility exercises; a functional movement section; and a conditioning section.
You need to attend once a week for the duration of your programme to ensure you get maximum benefits.
We will discuss opportunities within the local community to continue the exercises you have learnt throughout this programme. We will continue to be available if you have further questions about your health or exercise.
In most cases, taking an appropriate level of exercise will make you feel better, improve your health and improve your quality of life. In some cases and conditions, exercise may aggravate a problem. This will be thoroughly assessed during the initial health and physical assessment.
Need more information?
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with us SAWA@ntu.ac.uk.