FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q I live some distance from Loddon. Can I use the Gym?
A Yes. Our users come from all over and all are equally welcome.
Q How do I get started?
A Pop in during one of our sessions and have a word with Louise, though she may be busy with another user. She will run you through what you need to do to start exercising, after a small number of necessary health checks.
Q What could prevent me from starting to exercise straight away?
A Several things. High blood pressure, an unusually high heart rate, certain medical conditions. The best thing is to be seen by Louise first and we'll then know whether you can start straightaway or whether you need to see your GP first.
Q I have a medical condition. Would that stop me from using the Gym?
A Possibly though not necessarily. After speaking with Louise you may be asked to see your GP and get a formal exercise referral from him/her. We currently operate a scheme with Chet Valley and Heathgate Surgeries who welcome our contribution to community health and are familiar with our needs.
Q What clothing/footwear should I wear?
A Loose, comfortable clothing, ideally layered so you can remove one when you start to warm up. Comfortable shoes with a good grip.
Q What should I bring with me on my first day?
A A towel and bottle of water.
Q Are there showers and changing facilities?
A Not in the main Hall. There are changing rooms at the other end of the complex which are used by local football teams, but they aren't great.
Q Is there a membership fee?
A Following agreement at the 2016 AGM we introduced an annual Membership Fee of £18. This change forms part of the ongoing efforts to ensure the financial viability of the Gym going forward. Full details are in the AGM record elsewhere on this site.
Q Where does my money go?
A We are a not-for-profit gym run by a committee of volunteers. All income goes towards the running of the Gym. Fees alone are currently insufficient to run the Gym and to date we have been supported by other external funding and targeted fundraising.
Q Who are the Committee?
A The Committee is made up of 6 volunteer users covering the duties of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, fund-raising and publicity, along with Louise, our instructor. We can always use extra help particularly if you have skills to offer, eg fund-raising.
Q Can I bring family members, including children?
A We have a lower age limit of 16 but there is no upper limit.
Q I don't like Gyms, which I find intimidating. What makes yours any different?
A Our strap line is "no mirrors, no lycra". What that means in practice is that we provide an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and no-one is made to feel in any sense inadequate. We are particularly proud of this aspect of our Gym.
Q How long is a session?
A Once you have paid for your session you can stay as long as you want, within the limits of the session itself. Half an hour, or two hours. It's entirely up to you.
Q How long can I use each piece of Gym equipment?
A We adopt a commonsense approach to this. Use the machines for as long as specified in your personal Exercise Programme, unless the Gym is very busy, when we ask that you limit your time on any one machine to ten minutes.
Q Why aren't you open earlier/later/longer?
A The Hall is used by several other activities and it's a matter of fitting in with them. We currently offer morning, afternoon and evening sessions, which we will look to extend if more times become available, budget permitting.
A Yes. Our users come from all over and all are equally welcome.
Q How do I get started?
A Pop in during one of our sessions and have a word with Louise, though she may be busy with another user. She will run you through what you need to do to start exercising, after a small number of necessary health checks.
Q What could prevent me from starting to exercise straight away?
A Several things. High blood pressure, an unusually high heart rate, certain medical conditions. The best thing is to be seen by Louise first and we'll then know whether you can start straightaway or whether you need to see your GP first.
Q I have a medical condition. Would that stop me from using the Gym?
A Possibly though not necessarily. After speaking with Louise you may be asked to see your GP and get a formal exercise referral from him/her. We currently operate a scheme with Chet Valley and Heathgate Surgeries who welcome our contribution to community health and are familiar with our needs.
Q What clothing/footwear should I wear?
A Loose, comfortable clothing, ideally layered so you can remove one when you start to warm up. Comfortable shoes with a good grip.
Q What should I bring with me on my first day?
A A towel and bottle of water.
Q Are there showers and changing facilities?
A Not in the main Hall. There are changing rooms at the other end of the complex which are used by local football teams, but they aren't great.
Q Is there a membership fee?
A Following agreement at the 2016 AGM we introduced an annual Membership Fee of £18. This change forms part of the ongoing efforts to ensure the financial viability of the Gym going forward. Full details are in the AGM record elsewhere on this site.
Q Where does my money go?
A We are a not-for-profit gym run by a committee of volunteers. All income goes towards the running of the Gym. Fees alone are currently insufficient to run the Gym and to date we have been supported by other external funding and targeted fundraising.
Q Who are the Committee?
A The Committee is made up of 6 volunteer users covering the duties of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, fund-raising and publicity, along with Louise, our instructor. We can always use extra help particularly if you have skills to offer, eg fund-raising.
Q Can I bring family members, including children?
A We have a lower age limit of 16 but there is no upper limit.
Q I don't like Gyms, which I find intimidating. What makes yours any different?
A Our strap line is "no mirrors, no lycra". What that means in practice is that we provide an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and no-one is made to feel in any sense inadequate. We are particularly proud of this aspect of our Gym.
Q How long is a session?
A Once you have paid for your session you can stay as long as you want, within the limits of the session itself. Half an hour, or two hours. It's entirely up to you.
Q How long can I use each piece of Gym equipment?
A We adopt a commonsense approach to this. Use the machines for as long as specified in your personal Exercise Programme, unless the Gym is very busy, when we ask that you limit your time on any one machine to ten minutes.
Q Why aren't you open earlier/later/longer?
A The Hall is used by several other activities and it's a matter of fitting in with them. We currently offer morning, afternoon and evening sessions, which we will look to extend if more times become available, budget permitting.
