Do I need a referral from my GP?

No. We'd still suggest talking to your GP or physio before you start, particularly if you have a medical condition.

Is Legends a GP referral class?

No. It's a private small-group class that is similar in feel to one: supervised, steady and adapted to you. It isn't called a referral class.

Will exercise make my arthritis worse?

We can't say for you, which is why we suggest a word with your GP or physio first. Many people with arthritis are encouraged to stay active. Your coach adapts the range and load, and you can stop at any point.

I have type 2 diabetes. What should I bring?

Whatever you normally carry with you. Tell your coach at your Group Intro. Questions about medication and exercise are for your GP or diabetes team.

I get breathless. Will I hold everyone up?

No. You set your own pace, with rests built in, and the group isn't racing. Bring any inhaler you use.

I haven't exercised for years and I carry extra weight. Will I feel out of place?

You shouldn't. Legends is for people starting from wherever they are, and everyone works at their own level.

What if I have more than one condition?

That's common. Tell your coach about all of them at your Group Intro, and check with your GP or physio before you start.

Are your coaches medically qualified?

No. We're coaches, not doctors. We can't diagnose, treat or advise on medication. We can coach a safe, adapted session and tell you honestly when we think you should check with your GP first.

Health Conditions

Exercise Classes for Arthritis,Type 2 Diabetes and COPDnear Eastbourne

If you live with arthritis, type 2 diabetes, COPD or carrying extra weight, and you'd like to stay active in a friendly, supervised group, Legends may suit you. It's our coached class at our gym in Polegate, a short journey from Eastbourne and Hailsham.

Put simply, Legends is like a GP referral class, but it isn't called that. If you've ever been offered an exercise referral class, it will feel familiar. And you don't need a referral to join.

View Timetable

Please check with your GP or physio before you start. We're coaches, not doctors. Nothing on this page is medical advice, and we don't treat, cure or manage any condition. What we do is coach a small group and adapt every move to you.

An exercise referral alternative

Exercise referral schemes usually place people with a health condition into supervised group sessions led by a trained instructor. Legends has the same feel: steady, supervised exercise, a small group and a coach who adapts every move.

Arthritis

What people often worry about: pain, stiff joints, and whether moving will make things worse.

Many people with arthritis are encouraged to stay active, and both the NHS and Versus Arthritis say so.

How the coach adapts

We work on range and load. You move within a range that feels comfortable, we pick lighter loads or different positions, and you tell us about stiffer days so we can change the plan.

Type 2 diabetes

What people often worry about: how exercise fits around medication and meals, and what happens if they feel unwell mid-session.

Many people with type 2 diabetes are encouraged to stay active, and the NHS and Diabetes UK both say so.

How the coach adapts

Tell us at your Group Intro, and bring whatever you normally carry with you. We can pause whenever you need to. Questions about medication and activity are for your GP or diabetes team, not for us.

COPD

What people often worry about: breathlessness, getting caught short, and holding the group up.

Many people with COPD are encouraged to stay active, and the NHS and Asthma + Lung UK both say so.

How the coach adapts

Pace and rest. You set the speed, we build in rests, and you can stop whenever you like. Bring any inhaler you usually carry and tell us where you keep it.

Carrying extra weight

What people often worry about: feeling judged, sore knees and hips, and getting out of breath.

Many people carrying extra weight are encouraged to be more active, and the NHS says so. Our focus is how you move and how you feel.

How the coach adapts

Most moves have a lower-impact version, and we choose positions that feel comfortable, such as working from a chair or a bench.

What to tell us at your Group Intro

Your conditions and anything that has changed lately
Any movements that hurt or worry you
What you normally carry, such as an inhaler or snacks

When Legends runs

Legends is on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11am, and each session is one hour. Mobility, which focuses on moving well and unlocking forgotten movement patterns, runs Monday and Wednesday at 8am and Saturday and Sunday at 9am. With membership you choose 10, 15 or 30 sessions a month and book anything on the timetable.

Not sure which page suits you? See over 50s and 60s or over 70s.

How to start

The way in is our 28-Day Kickstart, which includes a personalised Group Intro. At day 28 we talk about what comes next.

Frequently asked questions

Getting here

We're on a business park in Polegate, beside the Cuckoo Trail, so you can walk or cycle in and lock your bike up. There's a bus stop right outside and parking, including overflow parking, and we're easy to reach from Eastbourne and Hailsham via the A22. Polegate station is about a 25-minute walk, and Lidl is a 5-minute walk away.

Ready to start?

Come and meet us. Book a Group Intro, tell us about your health, and we'll talk through what feels right.

Sources

NHS: Osteoarthritis (nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/)
Versus Arthritis: Exercise and arthritis (versusarthritis.org)
NHS: Type 2 diabetes (nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/)
Diabetes UK: Physical activity and type 2 diabetes (diabetes.org.uk)
NHS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/)
Asthma + Lung UK: Exercise and COPD (asthmaandlung.org.uk)
NHS: Obesity (nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/)
NICE: Physical activity: exercise referral schemes, PH54 (nice.org.uk)