Netherlee nurse praises life changing local fitness programme
A retired midwife from Netherlee has praised her local gym for “totally transforming her life”.
Article Source: East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure
Last Updated: 23 September 2025 13:55
64-year-old Joan Murphy worked for the NHS for 42 years, with the majority of her career divided working in special baby care unit at Queen Mother’s hospital and the maternity day care looking after mothers. She started experiencing hip pain six months after retiring.
She explained: “I was having problems walking without pain. I’d only just retired and I couldn’t do what I wanted. I’d been seeing the physio when I was referred to the Live Active programme, but I didn’t really think exercise would help. I thought it would never get better."
Joan, who previously cycled to work and was on her feet all day, was referred to East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure’s Live Active programme and met with gym instructor, Dylan, at Eastwood Park Leisure's gym. Dylan helped to devise an exercise programme for her.
She continued: “Dylan believed I’d lost muscle strength. I had to do more tailored exercises in the gym to build up the muscle strength and Dylan devised a programme for me to strengthen my glute muscles around my hip. I noticed progress after coming to the gym and following the routine, then I was given different exercises to challenge me further, so I could keep progressing.”
Joan now comes to Eastwood Park Leisure’s gym three times a week with her husband.
She said: “It’s totally transformed my life. Two years ago, I was having difficulty walking without pain. Now, I’m back to running 3k on the treadmill. I hadn’t run in years when I first retired. I’ve benefitted hugely from coming to the gym, as has my husband who joined at the same time and loves it.
"I’ve felt a bit intimidated in other gyms, but Eastwood Park Leisure has more of a mixed age group. A lot of women come here too, which I find very inspiring and it makes me feel more comfortable.
“Everyone here is so supportive and friendly and make you feel like it’s your gym. It’s brilliant. You tend to see the same faces and get to know people, too.”
Joan plans to continue working to improve her fitness levels. She added: “Weight training is particularly important for women to strengthen bones, so I’m using weights and running on the treadmills at the gym.
“I thought my hip pain would never get better, but I am that person that’s an example of how good the right exercise can be.”
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure’s gym instructor, Dylan Rush, who supported Joan during her fitness journey, said: “It’s been fantastic to see Joan’s progress and commitment to improving her fitness levels and to hear the positive impact on her lifestyle.
“If you’re thinking about joining the gym – don’t hesitate. The only way you get fit and make a change is by taking action. We’ve got top gym instructors on hand that really care and take the time to get to know you as an individual. We’ll work with you, get to know you and your likes and dislikes, and give you the help you need to get started on our 12 week programme. It can be life-changing, as Joan has proven.”
Find out more about East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's fitness membership: www.ercultureandleisure.org
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