“I have definitely got my self-confidence back as a result of the classes.” Class Member

What is Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation follows on from the hospital-based Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation programme. It can be accessed by patients completing Phase III, or via a referral from your GP.

Our classes are led by qualified BACPR Exercise Instructors. Sessions are carefully designed to support patients in the long–term management phase of their cardiac condition who wish to continue maintaining and improving their cardiovascular fitness levels for a healthier heart.

Why choose to attend an Induction Class before joining our main Cardiac classes?

RHL’s Induction Class is an ideal starting point for you. This smaller and slower-paced class enables one of our instructors to spend more 1-2-1 time with you to talk about medical and exercise history. We’ll also ensure you feel confident during sessions and know how to perform exercises with good technique. We’ll support you with any alterations or adaptations that you might need.

Our induction class takes you from a hospital-based patient, to a valued RHL member forming part of a community of people who’ve had similar experiences and who will work alongside you on their road to recovery to health and fitness.

What will happen in an Induction Class

Our instructor will introduce the style of the circuit, the exercises and the technique. It will get you used to monitoring your own level of work before progressing to a larger class.

Once you are ready to move on, our instructors will signpost you to the Phase IV Cardiac class that will be most suited to your individual needs and goals while you continue your rehabilitation with us.

Who is Cardiac Rehabilitation suitable for?

Most class members will be referred to us from the NHS Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation programme once they are deemed safe to continue their exercise under the guidance of a BACPR Exercise Professional. A smaller number will join us via a GP referral.

Attendees include those recovering from heart problems and heart surgery.

All new attendees require a referral before they can attend. This enables us to ensure that the class is suitable for them, as some heart conditions are not deemed medically safe for Phase IV. Please contact us for more information.

What will happen in a Cardiac Rehabilitation class?

Our classes take place in a class, rather than gym environment, and sessions run in a very similar format to Phase III. You’ll be exercising with others who’ve all experienced similar health problems. Over the years we’ve found that class members find the peer support they get from exercising and chatting with others who’ve been through something similar to you, almost as valuable as the exercise itself.

The class starts with a warm-up followed by circuit style exercise  where the focus is on improving cardiovascular fitness, alongside some muscular strength and endurance exercises. There’ll be a variety of equipment used within a class and your instructor will encourage you to work at your own pace and level. They’ll monitor your progress, adapting exercises where needed. The class finishes with a cool down and stretching.

Further information 

We offer a wide range of classes to suit your schedule. Check out our timetable & pricing here.

Clothing simply needs to be comfortable and should not restrict your movement i.e gym wear or loose trousers would be ideal – avoid jeans or a skirt. This class should be done in comfortable supportive shoes such as trainers.

Meet our highly qualified and friendly instructors here.

Click to access our FAQs, or to Book a Class get in touch with our friendly office team.