A NEW Covid-19 rehab training programme will be rolled out at Bolton Community Leisure gyms to help customers who are dealing with the long term effects of the illness.

Fitness teams will be taught how to deal with those who have had coronavirus and are seeking guidance and support alongside exercise programmes.

BCL run Farnworth, Leverhulme, Horwich and Westhoughton leisure centres, as well as the Jason Kenny Centre on behalf of Bolton Council.

The training is being provided by CAWS, which offer courses for fitness professionals, including their Rebuild programme, aimed at helping those with have had the illness or Long Covid.

Fifteen fitness coaches are completing the programme, recognised across Europe as the leading education course in Covid-19 rehab for fitness and sports professionals.

Mahendra Patel, BCL partnership manager, said:“As we approach the potential reopening date of April 12 for indoor gyms and fitness facilities, it’s vital that our teams are expertly prepared to deal with the unique challenge presented by the Covid era.

“We’ve been running safety training and refresher courses during lockdowns, but the Covid-focused programme from CAWS was something that really stood out as adding value to our health and fitness offering.

“Rebuild is proving popular with our gym teams who see this new type of training as adding to their customer-focused skillsets.

“By April 12, I fully expect us to have 15 gym staff fully qualified and ready to expertly assist those customers who’ve experienced Covid-19 at its most direct level.”

Adam Tinnion, a personal trainer at Westhoughton Leisure Centre, added: “The Rebuild course is exactly how courses should be done.

“From the data driven processes to the empathetic understanding and philosophy, it ticks all boxes. The detail and thought process behind the approach is outstanding.”