Choice Blog

"Making friends is part of FLexercise"

Melody Sturt, aged 61: teaches FLexercise classes in East Surrey

I never thought I'd end up being a FLexercise teacher. I first went to a class years ago, and loved the teacher and the mix of moves- it was something I was able to do.

The teacher convinced me to do an event at the Ideal Home Exhibition, something I never thought I'd ever want to fo. I enjoyed it so much that when she told me about the teacher training course, I said 'I'd give it a go' - and here I am 22 years later still loving it.

Making friends is part of Flexercise - I've assumed people have known each other for years then found out they first met at my class.

FLexercise is a mix of everything from posture and flexibility to strength and stamina, and I now love the little bits of dance. As the teacher you have the freedom to create your own routine and use the music to fit (it's not just for background noise) and it also allows you to add your own creative flair making it suitable for your class, rather than sticking to a fixed routine.

I receive support from other teachers and the FLexercise team who are great at keeping up with new trends.

Teaching has no only improved my posture (which is so much better) and general fitness it has also developed my own self-confidence. When a move goes wrong, the whole class ends up giggling with me!

One of the best things is watching other people's confidence improve- a class member with a cochlear implant arrived to find her battery wasn't working so we convinced her to stay and, although she couldn't hear the music, she still enjoyed the class and it improved not only her self-confidence but also her co-ordination- proving she could do it.

FLexercise fits around family life, although I do need to be organised and plan; I get to decide the timetable- which I work around term times as I look after my grandsons in the holidays.