Living with ME, Fibromyalgia or EDS? You Don't Have to Give Up on Exercise
Have you ever wanted to exercise, but felt that most exercise classes simply weren't designed for someone like you?
Perhaps you live with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), chronic pain
or another long-term health condition.
Perhaps you used to be more active, but things have changed.
Or maybe you've never really felt comfortable in a gym in the first place.
You want to become stronger. You want to move more. You'd like to have a bit more structure in your week.
But you're also thinking:
“What if I can't keep up?”
“What if I have a bad day?”
“What if everyone else is much fitter than me?”
“What if I make my symptoms worse?”
“Will I feel out of place?”
I hear these concerns all the time.
And honestly, I understand why you feel that way.
I'm Kam, the founder of Prosperity Rehab, and I've spent more than 10 years working in the NHS as a rehabilitation assistant. My NHS career has included rehab in patient own homes, falls prevention, early stroke rehab as well as working in a busy A&E department at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
I set up Prosperity Rehab because I wanted to give people something that can be difficult to find in mainstream fitness and the NHS cannot provide long term:
exercise that starts with you.
Not with what a textbook says you should be able to do.
Not with what the person next to you can do.
And definitely not with someone shouting, “Come on, push harder!”
A 45-minute class that doesn't feel like a workout boot camp
Let's be honest — the thought of joining an exercise class can be daunting when you're living with a chronic condition.
That's why I've deliberately created my Low Impact Exercise Class to be relaxed, friendly and fun.
The class lasts just 45 minutes, so you're not committing your whole day to exercise.
There is no shouting.
No competition.
No pressure to keep up.
And absolutely no judgement.
Instead, we'll spend 45 minutes moving, strengthening all muscle groups, improving balance and working on your fitness in a supportive environment where you can exercise at a level that feels right for you.
There will be plenty of encouragement, a few laughs and, most importantly, you'll be exercising alongside people who understand that everyone's body is different.
Exercise doesn't have to be miserable to be beneficial.
I want you to finish the class thinking:
“That was actually enjoyable.”
You don't need to be "fit enough" to join
One of the things I hear most often is:
“I'm worried I'm not fit enough for your class.”
My answer is always the same.
That's exactly why you're welcome.
My Low Impact Exercise Classes are designed for people who may have found
traditional exercise difficult, uncomfortable or simply unsuitable.
You don't need to be able to get down on the floor.
You don't need to be able to stand for 45 minutes.
You don't need to be able to do every exercise.
And you certainly don't need to be at the same level as everyone else.
We can use seated and standing exercises and adapt movements to suit you and what you're capable of doing that day- we know, everyday can be different.
Because I've worked in rehabilitation for many years, I know that two people with the same diagnosis can have completely different symptoms and abilities.
That's why I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
What if you have ME/CFS?
If you're living with ME/CFS, you may already know that your energy isn't predictable.
You might feel reasonably well one day and then pay for doing too much afterwards.
Post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE/PEM) can make conventional advice about gradually increasing exercise inappropriate for some people.
So my approach isn't about telling you to push through.
It's about understanding that your body has limits — and respecting them.
Some days you might do more.
Some days you might do less.
You might take a break.
You might stay seated.
And there may be days when resting is the right thing for you.
There is no judgement.
What about fibromyalgia?
If you have fibromyalgia, you may be dealing with widespread pain, fatigue, poor sleep or symptoms that seem to change from one day to the next.
That can make exercise feel like a difficult decision.
Will moving help me — or will I regret it tomorrow?
The right type and amount of exercise can be a useful part of managing fibromyalgia, but it needs to be appropriate for the individual.
That's where I believe the difference between a generic fitness class and a rehabilitation-focused class really matters.
I'm not interested in seeing how many repetitions you can complete.
I'm interested in helping you feel more confident about movement within your energy limitations.
Helping you understand what works for you.
And helping you build a routine that you can actually maintain.
And if you have EDS?
If you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility, you may have spent years being told to "stretch more" or "exercise more" without anyone really understanding your joints.
You may experience pain, instability or fatigue.
You may worry about making things worse.
For people with EDS/HSD, appropriately adapted strengthening and movement can be an important part of supporting function and joint stability, but exercises need to be individualised.
That's why I focus on controlled, purposeful movement rather than simply doing more.
You don't have to force your body into positions it doesn't like or more importantly work out what is your normal position and not perceived normal position of each joints.
You don't have to compete with anyone.
And you don't have to prove anything to me.
We're simply going to work together on what your body can do.
But here's the thing I really want you to know...
My class isn't just about exercise.
It's about getting some structure back into your week.
If you're working, perhaps you're spending much of your day sitting at a desk.
Perhaps you're juggling work and family.
Perhaps by the time you've finished work, the last thing you feel like doing is driving to a gym.
I completely understand.
That's one of the reasons I love the online format.
You can finish work, make yourself a drink, get yourself comfortable and join me from home- in your pyjamas if you want!
No travelling.
No intimidating gym.
No worrying about whether you can manage the walk from the car park to the studio.
Just you, your chair if you need it, and me guiding you through a relaxed 45-minute session.
Your class can become your weekly "me time"
I often think that people with chronic health conditions spend a lot of time managing everything except themselves.
Work needs doing.
Family needs looking after.
Appointments need attending.
The washing needs doing.
And somewhere down the list is you.
That's why I want my classes to become something you look forward to.
Not another chore.
Not another thing you have to do.
But a regular part of your week where you can say:
“This 45 minutes is for me.”
You might join an evening class after work.
Or perhaps a daytime class fits better around your working pattern.
Whatever works for you, the important thing is creating some consistency.
And because the class is relaxed and fun, I want you to feel that you're coming along to something you enjoy, rather than another appointment you have to tick off your list.
You won't be judged here
This is probably one of the most important things I want you to know about Prosperity Rehab.
You will not be judged.
I know that starting exercise when you have a chronic condition can be nerve-wracking.
You might be worried that everyone else will be fitter.
You might be embarrassed about what you can and can't do.
You might be worried that you'll have to explain yourself.
You don't.
The people who come to my classes understand that everybody has different challenges.
Some days you'll feel stronger.
Some days you'll feel more tired.
Some exercises will feel easy.
Others won't.
That's completely okay.
There is no judgement here.
You can take a break when you need one. You can modify an exercise. You can stay seated. You can do less.
You're here to look after yourself — not to impress anyone.
It's about feeling good, too
Exercise doesn't always have to be serious.
I want my classes to be a place where you can have a laugh, enjoy yourself and meet other people who understand some of the challenges you're experiencing.
Yes, we'll work on strength, mobility and fitness.
But we'll also have fun.
Because when exercise is enjoyable, it becomes something you want to come back to.
And that's what I'm really trying to create at Prosperity Rehab.
Not a class where you drag yourself through 45 minutes because you feel you should.
A class where you finish and think:
“I'm really glad I came.”
I want you to leave feeling better about yourself
When someone first comes to me, they can sometimes be nervous about what they can't do.
Over time, something really lovely happens.
They start noticing what they can do.
They become more confident.
They start moving more comfortably.
They realise they don't have to be perfect.
And perhaps most importantly, they start believing in themselves again.
I've seen this throughout my rehabilitation career, and it's one of the reasons I still love what I do.
Maybe it's time to give yourself a chance
If you've been putting exercise off because you're worried that you won't be able to manage a normal fitness class, I'd love you to think differently.
You don't have to become a fitness fanatic.
You don't have to run.
You don't have to jump.
You don't have to sweat until you can't breathe.
You just need to start where you are.
That's what Prosperity Rehab is all about.
With my strong NHS rehabilitation background and years of experience supporting people with long-term health conditions, I understand that exercise needs to be adapted to the person — not the other way around.
My Low Impact Exercise Class is a relaxed, friendly and fun 45-minute session, designed to help you move, strengthen and build confidence in a supportive environment, from the comfort of your own home.
And if you need to sit down?
Sit down.
If you need to take a break?
Take a break.
If you can only manage a little?
That's okay.
There is no judgement.
No competition.
No pressure.
Just support, encouragement, movement and a few laughs along the way.
Because exercise should fit you — not the other way around.
Ready to give it a try?
If you're living with a chronic health condition and you've been thinking:
“I really should do something, but I don't know where to start...”
Maybe you've just found your starting point.
Come and join me for a Prosperity Rehab Low Impact Exercise Class.
It's just 45 minutes, you can join from home, and you can exercise at your own pace with someone who understands rehabilitation and knows that every person — and every day — is different.
No judgement. No pressure. Just a relaxed, fun class where you can move, feel supported and do something positive for yourself.
I'd love to see you in class.
Kam from Prosperity Rehab
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