Had an injury or operation? We can train to aid your recovery.

Secondary school maths teacher Lynn Heeler talks about her road(s) to recovery following two hip operations - and how Raul gave her the confidence in her recovery.

I have dysplasia in both hips and have experienced pain in the right hip for over 20 years, and so for many years despite training hard at the gym, I knew at some point I would need an operation.

So in September 2014 I had to have my first hip surgery, it was keyhole surgery to assess the extent of the arthritis from the dysplasia, and do any repairs they could.

Following the operation, I had to be non-weight bearing for an agonising six weeks and during that time I underwent a course of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Neither of these really seemed to help and my progress seemed painfully slow.

I decided to find out about personal training, and was put in touch with Raul as someone who could help with my rehabilitation. Having assessed both my physical condition and personal goals (specifically being fit enough to participate in the school ski trip the following February!), we commenced training in December.

Raul took me on a journey from literally nothing, no weight at all to possibly being the fittest and strongest I have been in years.

I had tailored one-to-one sessions twice a week with him to strengthen and improve my range of movement, and this helped me build up my muscles around the joint.

This then gave me the confidence to start training independently. Compared to the physio, I noticed a rapid improvement and felt like I was finally regaining strength. We worked on my legs, hips and core; a focus I had never had before.

Unfortunately, my pain was worse following the surgery, with my only option now being a total hip replacement. I managed to last another 2 and a half years between the surgeries, during which time, I continued to train regularly with Raul.

So in May 2017 I underwent a full, right hip replacement.

Up until the second surgery came, and even up until the day before I went to hospital, I trained. I wanted to make sure I was the strongest and lightest I could be, to shorten the recovery period. Even if I trained in a class, Raul would adapt some of the moves so I could do them too.

Because I was so fit and strong I was on the fast track to be released from hospital the following day, however complications in surgery meant 8 days in hospital and another 6 weeks with no weight bearing!

I could use all the techniques learnt from Raul in my own rehabilitation with the confidence that I knew it would get better. He sent me texts and words of encouragement - and even came to visit me while I was recovering at home - armed with a fitness magazine to motivate me, and grapes (of course!)

Just a few months later I was back in classes, continuing to train on a Saturday morning in circuits class, which I just love -  and I couldn’t have done it without Raul. I have also just returned from yet another successful school ski trip!

I would 100 % recommend Raul to anyone, but especially in terms of rehabilitation. His focus is on getting the foundations built right so you can go onto recover quickly.

So thank you Raul for helping me recover!