"Ladyshape was recommended to me by a friend as I was struggling with my mobility and my mental health was at an all-time low due to lockdown.

I live at the  bottom of Westgate Street in Gloucester and the club is up near the top at the Cross so it was no easy task for me to walk there. It took me 3 rests with aching legs and back, but I got there.

I was met by Sally, who owns Ladyshape, who greeted me with a smiling happy face. She showed me all the machines and how each one helped different joints, muscles and heart. I was impressed and thrilled when she suggested that I tried the machines, having first made sure that I was medically OK.

You have a free week to see if it's for you. I joined straight away and it was the best thing I have ever done. Short, tall, thin, or a little larger,  young or older - everyone is welcome. Above all else the laughter and chatting with other members was just the tonic I needed to lift my spirits and dash the mental stresses away.

The bonus for me is that I am walking steadily up to the club, not needing to take a breather. I'm in my late seventies, I'll never run, but am now walking quite well.

Give it a try! You have nothing to lose, bar your stiff joints and aching back etc and, like me, you'll gain lots of lovely friends.

Without Ladyshape, my well-being and mental health would suffer. It provides such a positive and enjoyable input to my life"