In January, it can feel like everyone’s telling you to ‘start again’ or ‘be better.’ But at Life Leisure in Stockport, the focus isn’t on resolutions, it’s on how exercise makes you feel.
Sue’s story is a powerful example. In 2023, Sue devoted herself to caring for her ill parents. After their passing in 2024, she decided it was time to carve out space for herself and get her life back on track. Inspired by her father, who continued exercising well into his 90s, Sue joined Life Leisure to get stronger—and stay that way.
“I’m not getting any younger,” she says. “I’m aware that as you get older, you start losing muscle mass, and I want to stay active for as long as I can. My Dad was just coming up to his 96th birthday when he passed. He’d always been active and kept up the habit virtually right to the end of his life.”
Now, after eight months at Life Leisure, she’s shared with us how movement has transformed her mind and body.
“Exercise makes me feel really energised, and I just love being here. The atmosphere is amazing, and the staff are fantastic. I feel good after a class, like I’ve achieved something.”
That feeling is what keeps her coming back. Not a resolution, or a pressure to be a certain version of herself.
Sue has embraced Life Leisure’s R1G and HYROX classes on the gym floor, which have helped her develop both strength and confidence. “I feel stronger in my legs, which has helped with my running, and my upper-body strength has improved too, which comes in handy when I’m lifting boxes of bees and honey—yes, I’m a beekeeper!”
She adds, “It’s also helping my mental health. I like being part of this little gym community. It’s somewhere I can go and forget about any stresses or upsets that everyday life throws at me.”
For Sue, the benefits of exercise go beyond the physical, and this experience isn’t unique. Most Life Leisure members move for reasons beyond physical results. In fact, 68% say their primary motivators are:
- How it feels afterwards.
- Seeing progress.
- Social connection.
Life Leisure encourages people in Stockport to start the year by focusing on movement for how it makes them feel, rather than how it makes them look. Sue’s story is proof that there’s much more to gain from a gym membership than meets the eye.
This is movement. This is joy. This is how it feels. Discover your spark with Life Leisure. Find classes, events and activities in your community at www.lifeleisure.net
