Inspirational student gym user Zunaira Ghazanfar, is showing how regular workouts at Forth Valley College’s gyms can improve confidence as well as improving fitness, health and wellbeing.
Zunaira (20) from Falkirk, started her Workstart course at the FVC Falkirk Campus in August 2023. She had hoped to use the College facilities to help her lose some weight and get fitter, but as she lives with the spina bifida condition, she had found it challenging to begin her gym journey.
However, she needn’t have worried at all as when she met FVC’s Leisure Facilities Coordinator Wai Mun Lee, he quickly allayed her fears and set about tailoring a specialised workout just for her.
Zunaira, said: “When I came along to the gym and met Wai he was so friendly and he encouraged me to use the machines. Wai and Gym Assistant Steve Fleming always make me feel so comfortable, always chatting to me and guiding me through my workouts.
“It has made me much more confident about everything and I am also getting fitter and stronger and have been losing weight too. I would encourage anyone to come along and give it a try. It doesn’t matter if you are disabled or not, it shouldn’t stop you from coming along and getting started in the gym.
“All you need to do is pop in to the gym at Falkirk, speak with Wai or Steve and they will help you get started and off you go. There is nothing to worry about! I really, really enjoy coming into the gym as the atmosphere is so welcoming and encouraging, all you have to do is believe in yourself and accept the challenge.”
Zunaira – who is gearing up to start a NQ Creative Industries course next session and hopes to become an artist or a psychologist - now regularly visit the gym at the Falkirk Campus for her workouts and is feeling the benefit. But the FVC Gym Team are just as active, encouraging and welcoming at the College gyms at the Stirling and Alloa Campuses.
Wai Mun Lee Leisure Facilities Coordinator, said: “Zunaira is another inspirational student who has grown from strength to strength by using the gym at Forth Valley College. She has gone from a complete novice to a regular gym user, who puts a 100% in every session. Her commitment includes getting on public transport to and from college, just so she can come in and use the equipment in the Falkirk Campus speaks volumes.
“I’m so pleased that Zunaira is enjoying herself in our Falkirk Campus Gym and is feeling the benefits of exercise, both physically and mentally. What she has shown us is that everyone can not only exercise, but they can lift weights as well. The Gym Team are more than happy to assist and what we can’t do, we will improvise to make the gym as inclusive as possible for all. Thanks Zunaira for showing everyone that no physical challenge is too big to overcome.”
Anyone looking for more information on tailored gym workouts should contact Waimun.Lee@forthvalley.ac.uk or steve.fleming@forthvalley.ac.uk
