Finding Convenience and Connection
After her father sadly passed away, Jenny Lillycrop encouraged her mother to move closer and was looking for something they could do together locally. She found Debbie’s classes. Then the pandemic hit. While her mum later became a regular at the Alice Bye Court class when those started in 2022, Jenny found her perfect fit in MOVEability’s online sessions.
Leading a busy life supporting her husband, Mark, who is currently Thatcham’s deputy mayor, Jenny values the convenience of the online classes. It’s just an hour or 45 minutes of her time – a manageable commitment she looks forward to every week. The ease of fitting them into a packed schedule, she notes, also makes it much harder to skip a session. “Heavy rain won’t get you out of an online exercise class!”
Commitment, Movement, and Social Benefits
For Jenny, the scheduled class time is essential for ensuring she exercises once a week. She finds that her joints really benefit from the activity, noting that her knees start to hurt whenever she misses a class. She also appreciates the flexibility to switch between the Monday and Wednesday classes as needed.
Beyond the physical benefits, Jenny thrives on the social atmosphere. The classes are always welcoming, and she enjoys logging in early or staying afterwards for a chat. She loves the fact she gets to meet people from all over the country and has even come to know people in real life whom she initially met online.
“Debbie will happily share what she is up to, often with a funny story included. I get a lot socially from the classes even though we aren’t together in person.”
She believes the classes are perfect for people who are housebound or live on their own, providing a guaranteed opportunity for fun company and a good workout where everyone can go at their own pace.
Thoughtful Design and Accessibility
Jenny consistently praises the structure and care put into the classes: “It’s the full package!”
- Music and Engagement: Jenny loves the music, which has introduced her to new artists and songs, giving her fresh topics to discuss with her children. She notes that Debbie is skilled at picking the right music for this type of exercise.
- Structure and Pacing: Like many, she appreciates that the classes follow a set structure but feature different exercises and music each week. She knows exactly what to expect – that Debbie will take them up and over the hill (following The MOVEability Way), checking in on them at each stage.
- Client-Focused: Importantly, Debbie often offers participants a chance to contribute by asking for suggestions on new tracks and exercises, demonstrating that as much thought goes into preparing the classes as delivering them.
- Health Reminders: She appreciates the regular check-ins and reminders to grab a drink, which she notes are vital for older people, like her mum, who often forget to hydrate.
A significant advantage of the online classes for Jenny relates to her hearing. Left with hearing loss after falling ill with mumps at age five, the online format allows her to use a transcription app. She props her phone against her laptop to read Debbie’s instructions in real-time – a setup that would be difficult in an onsite class.
Seamless Access and Support
According to Jenny, accessing the classes is easy once an account is set up. While technical issues like switching on a camera or hearing the audio can occasionally happen during the classes, Debbie is “ever patient and resourceful,” always finding a way to help quickly and efficiently.
In short, Jenny one hundred percent recommends these classes, saying they are so worth coming to and everyone should try them.
Why Not Try Out A Class
Thank you, Jenny, for taking the time to talk to us about your experiences of our online classes.
Inspired by Jenny? Why not try out one of our online classes.
Your first class is FREE!
If you have any questions or would like help signing up, please call Debbie on 0330 133 1488 or email info@moveability.org.uk. She will be more than happy to help.
