Exercise referral
For people with one or more health conditions or risk factors that respond to exercise — including those who are not ready for groups, or who struggle to get out.
An exercise referral scheme exists to support people who have health conditions or risk factors that can be helped with exercise. Traditionally these run from leisure centres. A well structured scheme can still be hard to find — or hard to attend.
Optimal is expanding current services to include a blended approach of home and virtual sessions. Face-to-face, online, or both.
“I love the idea of exercise, but I’m not ready for groups and I struggle to get out.”
Many local services are excellent. If they are not for you, exercise referral can happen at home.
“I have returned to my pre-pregnancy weight. I was feeling quite a bit of back pain during and after pregnancy. However this no longer occurs. In addition, my legs are feeling much stronger.”
Your journey
Self-referral
Discuss whether exercise referral is right for you. There is currently no funding attached to this service — that may change, and will be stated here if it does. Bespoke packages can be developed to support most needs.
Medical referral
Your clinician can help you decide what is appropriate for your condition. The service is independent — please ask them to look at this site, or to call for a discussion.
01
Identify personal goals, set realistic targets, and agree a start-point that supports you and your health.
02
The programme is designed with you and adjusted over time. It is an individual process that considers health and capability.
03
As you improve, the work changes. Assessments can be repeated so progress is visible, not guessed.
04
You have every right to know why the programme is designed as it is. For medical referrals, a report can be sent to your GP or practitioner.
05
Lasting outcomes depend on more than the session. Motivation, needs and goals are considered alongside the clinical picture.
