Adults who have a learning disability are being encouraged to join award-nominated exercise classes across South Lanarkshire.

NHS Lanarkshire’s Circ8 circuit classes are specially adapted to include exercises for those unable to attend a mainstream fitness class and are designed to maintain the general health and wellbeing of adults with a learning disability as well as increasing their physical activity.

The classes have been so successful that NHS Lanarkshire’s learning disability physiotherapy team were finalists in the Healthier Lifestyle Award category of last year’s Scottish Health Awards for their work on Circ8.

Comments from class members include: “It’s fun”; “It has made a difference to my attitude about exercise”; “I like meeting other people and being part of a group”; “It gets me out of my wheelchair”; “There is a good atmosphere”; and ‘I like it being local”.

Circ8 has gone from strength to strength since the classes launched in 2011 with around 250 attendees, and the number of participants has since increased ten-fold.

Even more people are being encouraged to join in, says Amanda Jones, a specialist physiotherapist with NHS Lanarkshire’s adult learning disability service.

Amanda explained: “The pace of a regular exercise class can be quite fast moving and isn’t always appropriate for adults with learning disabilities, so our classes are tailored for their individual abilities.

“The structure of the class is pretty much the same as other circuit classes in that there’s a warm-up to some music before participants get the chance to try eight low-impact circuit stations that focus on balance, strength and cardio. There is a little mixture to give an all-round workout.

“The classes are aimed at adults over the age of 16 with a learning disability, who are unable to attend mainstream exercise classes. Attendees should be able to move about with or without assistance and be able to participate in a group activity with the appropriate level of support.

“Surveys of those who attend have found the classes improve their mood and they feel they benefit from the specialist physiotherapy support.

“There are classes across Lanarkshire so we’d encourage as many people as possible to come along and join in the fun.”

Circ8 classes run at:

Jock Stein Centre, Hamilton - Call: 01698 855573
Tuesday - 10:30am-11:30am

Eastfield Lifestyles, Cambuslang - Call: 01698 855505
Wednesday - 1:30pm-2:30pm

Fairhill Lifestyles, Hamilton - Call: 01698 855516
Wednesday - 10am-11am

Lifestyles, Lanark - Call: 01698 855573
Friday - 11am-11:45am & 11:45am-12:30pm

North Lanarkshire classes are:

Wishaw Sports Centre - Call: 01698 640794
Thursday – 2pm-3pm

Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex, Bellshill - Call: 01698 855656
Monday - 2pm-3pm

Tryst Sports Centre, Cumbernauld - Call: 01698 855516
Tuesday - 11am-noon