Gym helps all its users to FeelGood

A WOMAN who couldn’t find a gym to suit her own mobility needs was inspired to set up her own one-stop stop for health and well-being.

After visiting a Yorkshire store to buy a piece of toning equipment for herself, Sally Anderson ended up opening her own gym facility.

The 55-year-old was inspired after looking at exercise equipment in action and so opened her FeelGood Factory Wales in Llantrisant in March 2013 at Sovereign Court.

The gym, which currently has around 65 members, has recently relocated to a more central location at the old Penygawsi Nursery site in the town.

Sally, who has had a bilateral knee replacement and was also diagnosed with MS more than 20 years ago, says she is proud of what she has created.

“Our exercise facility is open to all, but we like to specifically target those people with physical disabilities, mobility issues and those with chronic medical conditions – those people who may be inhibited by the conventional gym concept,” said Sally, who lives in Llantrisant. “We pride ourselves on being nonjudgemental and non-competitive, and one of our mottoes is ‘Exercise for Everybody because Everybody Matters’ and at the facility individuals are able to work smart, not hard.

“At the FeelGood Factory we like to think it’s not only an individual’s physical well-being needs that are met but also their social, emotional and mental well-being needs.

“We provide a facility where individuals can socialise and chat, can ‘vent their spleen’ when required, or get advice from people who are maybe going through the similar issues.

“We get people who are visually impaired, a lot of people come with personal assistants and we also target learning support people so we’ve got all sorts of users here.

“Even though I set it up myself, I’m so proud of it. People who never thought the gym would be for them come here and they workout, they chat, they can have a coffee, its wonderful.

“We are very much exercise for everyone, because everyone matters.”

In future Sally said she hopes the gym can work with charities such as the Stroke Association, Parkinsons UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.

The FeelGood Factory has also recently introduced complementary therapy offering reiki, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, podiatry, beauty, manicures and pedicures which help provide a perfect one-stop shop.

Sally added: “If people have limited mobility, they like to have their nails done, they like to go and have a massage so they can come here and there’s everything in one place for them.”

For more information on the FeelGood Factory, visit www.feelgoodwales.co.uk or call 01443 224398.