press release: Innerva
Gold company profile | Innerva
PRESS RELEASE
Celebrating a new lease of life at 71 through power-assisted exercise
10 Jul 2026
Hilary Phelps, Crook Log Leisure Centre / Innerva
When Hilary Phelps heard about the new power-assisted exercise suite at Crook Log Leisure Centre, she was far from enthusiastic. Now, she can’t imagine her week without it.
A breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago heralded the start of some serious health issues for 71-year-old Hilary Phelps.
“I always say cancer is a gift that keeps on giving,” says the former deputy head teacher from Welling, Kent. Married for 37 years with two daughters and four grandchildren, Hilary was left with numbness in her fingers and toes as well as coordination difficulties after cancer treatment. One medication even triggered heart failure, a side effect affecting just 1 in 40,000 patients.
Hilary also lives with atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Despite this, she remains upbeat and over the last five years has lost five stone in weight to have knee replacement surgery and improve her health.
Hilary is no stranger to exercise. She had attended the gym at Crook Log Leisure Centre, guided by physiotherapists and the Steps to Health team. But something was missing.
“I didn’t really follow a programme and wasn’t pushing myself. I felt quite anxious exercising because of my heart, and I also felt a bit intimidated by the younger gym members. I didn’t like to try anything new for fear of looking foolish,” she says.
Overcoming initial resistance
When Crook Log launched its power-assisted exercise suite, equipped by Innerva, Hilary was reluctant to try it.
“I don’t like change and couldn’t see how the machines would improve my health.”
Persuaded to give the circuit a try, Hilary found she enjoyed it and hasn’t looked back since.
“I’m now a convert. I attend at least three sessions a week, sometimes more.”
Hilary likes the structure of the circuit. She knows exactly which muscle groups each machine targets and the power-assisted technology adapts to her body’s needs.
“On days when my mobility is limited, the machines do most of the work, but I’m still moving and working the muscles. On better days, I work against the machines and really feel the effort.”
The physical results have been striking. Over eight months, Hilary has significantly increased her stamina and upper body strength. Her balance and mobility has improved so much that she rarely needs her walking stick now, and the reduction in knee pain means that her second knee replacement has been indefinitely postponed.
“I can walk more easily and even walk upstairs. Balance has been a worry particularly as I get older, but this has also improved.”
One experience really convinced Hilary of the value of the suite. After returning from a strenuous city break, Hilary came home in considerable pain and found herself struggling to move comfortably.
“Normally, I would have stayed away from the gym altogether, but because of the way the machines work, I could let them support me while I gently kept moving. Gradually, my mobility improved, and within a week I was back to exercising normally on the machines.”
Friends and family have also noticed the transformation. This year, with her daughter’s support, Hilary plans to attempt the Race for Life for the first time in years.
More than exercise
Hilary always wore headphones in the gym, but staff suggested she remove them during her sessions in the suite. She immediately saw the benefit.
“I’m not very good at initiating conversation with new people, but now I spend the sessions chatting with a varied group of regulars. We’ve discussed everything from feeding my elderly cat to weekends away. I really look forward to the chats now.”
Twelve years after a cancer diagnosis, Hilary is stronger, more mobile and more confident than she’s been in years. She’s also one of the biggest advocates of power-assisted exercise.
“The suite has made such an impact on me that I tell people about it all the time. I’m healthier, I feel better about my appearance and I’ve become more socially confident. I’ve told my husband he can only join if he goes to a different session; this is my time to focus on me.”
Charmaine Wells, manager of Crook Log Leisure Centre, says: “It’s fantastic to see Hilary benefiting from our power-assisted exercise suite and achieving such positive improvements in her health, mobility and confidence. We’re proud to have been part of her journey and to see her thriving. One of our aims in introducing the suite was to support people managing health conditions. Hilary’s story shows that that it’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of being active.”
More press releases and updates from Innerva:
Innerva will unveil the next generation of its power-assisted exercise equipment at Elevate
next week, introducing a user-led redesign that makes exercise more accessible, comfortable
and effective for older adults and people with limited mobility.
Crook Log Leisure Centre has more than doubled the membership target for its new power-
assisted exercise suite in less than six months.
TMActive has officially opened its first power-assisted exercise studio with support from
Innerva.
Innerva is celebrating the first anniversary of its successful partnership with Gym
Upholstery UK.
The fourth Hello GoodLife Health & Wellbeing Hub has opened in Ireland to meet increasing
demand for accessible, community-focused health and wellbeing solutions.
Innerva: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Elevate has had its busiest show to date, with
almost 200 exhibitors, 115 seminars and 200 speakers over two days.
TMActive is launching a new Active Wellbeing Studio next month in Tonbridge, UK, specifically
aimed at people who face higher barriers to entry.
HCM NEWS: Wave Active launches Lilian's Room for stroke rehab and to support older people in getting active
Pioneering charitable trust, Wave Active, opened a new suite today designed to support older
adults and people living with long-term health conditions through adaptive exercise and
meaningful social connection.
HCM NEWS: Innerva teams up with Mr Motivator
Derrick Evans MBE, more commonly known as Mr Motivator, has joined forces with Innerva as a
brand ambassador to champion a new era of healthy and active ageing.
Innerva launches Connect, a technology platform designed to power the next evolution of its
power-assisted exercise equipment and support active ageing.
HCM editor, Liz Terry, has called on the sector to step up to assist the NHS with stroke
rehabilitation to avoid millions being left with life-changing disabilities.
Innerva: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
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Strength training: Access all areas
We talk to strength suppliers about making
the gym floor accessible and enjoyable for all
Specifier: Stronger than ever
Steph Eaves asks suppliers
how increased interest in
strength training is changing
the focus of their businesses
Innerva
Tel: 01484 667474
Email: [email protected]
Web:
www.innerva.com
Address:
3 Queen's Square Business Park,
Huddersfield Road,
Holmfirth,
West Yorkshire,
HD9 6QZ,
United Kingdom
Jon Hymus, managing director
Innerva video gallery:
Key personnel
Jon Hymus, managing director
Key customers
Our key customers span leisure (leisure trusts, council, independent and private operators), rehabilitation and therapy centres and care.
Plans for the next 12 months
We continue to develop our solution
to support active and healthy ageing,
working with our health, academic
and operator partners to meet the
needs of those with long-term health
conditions and bridge the gap between
fitness and health.
This year will see the launch of our new digital solution, and working with the University of Strathclyde, we will roll out the technology enriched rehabilitation offer for stroke patients and those affected by neurological conditions.
Our continued international expansion will give the world’s ageing population an accessible exercise solution to improve physical and mental health.
This year will see the launch of our new digital solution, and working with the University of Strathclyde, we will roll out the technology enriched rehabilitation offer for stroke patients and those affected by neurological conditions.
Our continued international expansion will give the world’s ageing population an accessible exercise solution to improve physical and mental health.
Testimonial
“Our Wellness Hub is at the forefront of our health improvement strategy and has enabled
us to forge closer partnerships with the health sector to collaboratively support people to
better manage their health conditions. Our hub now has 22 Innerva machines across three
rooms, with over 1,200 members visiting regularly to improve their health, activity levels
and wellbeing.”
– Ben Frary, sports and health improvement manager, Lincs. Inspire
– Ben Frary, sports and health improvement manager, Lincs. Inspire
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