Ruby's Fitness has bright plans for future

An inclusive wellness group run by passionate Derry women Bronagh McNamara and Sinead Lynch is about to embark on an exciting new chapter.

Inclusively Fit, as it has been known since its formation almost four years ago, is to become Ruby's Fitness, bringing it in line with the app of the same name also created by the two friends.

It is named in memory of Sinead's daughter, Ruby, who passed away in May 2018, aged just seven.

LEGEND: Jim O'Reilly has thrived since starting training with Sinead and Bronagh.

The revamp comes as Bronagh and Sinead prepare to apply for full charitable status (they are currently registered as a CIC - Community Interest Company) as a result of the overwhelming success of their venture.

The journey began in October 2019, when they got chatting about how great it would be to start up a fitness service where inclusivity, and empowering people, was put front and centre.

Bronagh, who has a sports degree, also has years of experience working in specialised care. She told Derry News: “Instead of just taking clients to the pictures, I decided to take them to the gym because I'm qualified to do it.

“And the idea sort of came from there. I always had Sinead in my head because I knew her. I was working in Foyle Down Syndrome when Ruby passed away.

“I knew she had a sports degree. She has a wealth of knowledge, so she would oversee the fitness and technique side of it and I would handle the specialised care and well-being aspect.

“We wanted to bring play and fun into fitness and make it more inclusive for a whole range of people - from babies up to older people - who might, for a whole variety of reasons, struggle in using mainstream fitness settings.

“It's funny looking back on it, because when I bumped into Sinead and we got chatting, she actually said to me, 'I had been thinking about talking to you about something just like this'.”

Bronagh and Sinead carry out one on one sessions with clients at the Magee University gym and also go out into the community to provide fitness and wellness sessions with groups such as Destined and Praxis Care.

Both strands of the service they provide have received hugely positive feedback, with the gym sessions, in particular, proving a massive success.

The list of people who have reached landmark fitness heights as a result of Bronagh and Sinead's unique approach is steadily growing.

Caoimhin Breslin, who has been training with Sinead for two years, has transformed his upper body strength. A wheelchair user, he recently completed Aodhan's Run where, said Bronagh, “Sinead was pushing him, but Caoimhin said, 'no, I want to push myself', and so he did. He has improved so much that he is ready now to take part in competitions.”

Transformations such as Caoimhin's are a common thread. Jim O'Reilly, who has a learning disability, started at the gym two years ago and has earned 'legend' status because of the huge progress he has made, setting regular personal bests in both running and weights.

And it was another member of Ruby's Fitness, Mark O'Kane, who stole the show at the run: “Mark went flying past a host of runners,” said Bronagh, “including a well-known personal trainer who wasn't best pleased about it!”

Jill McCallion, who has Down Syndrome, was one of the group's first members. Said Bronagh: “During Covid we did sessions via Zoom and she was on that screen and sitting waiting for her workout week in and week out.

“Jill set up her own laptop, got logged on and put in the code and prepared all her workout equipment herself. That may not sound big to some people, but it's a massive thing for someone with learning difficulties.”

Jill was the first member of the group to take part in the annual 'Try a Tri' triathlon last year, and her example inspired fellow group member Benjamin Thompson to participate in this year's event.

Bronagh and Sinead have also been able to signpost some of their members to sports based on skills they spot in training. As a result, the group can now lay claim to two NI judo championship medallists, a talented Gaelic footballer, some rising triathlon stars and a few Oxford Bulls!

The outreach work, said Bronagh, has also been immensely satisfying, with a recent highlight being a session in St Columb's Park House for babies and older people.

She said: “We did an exercise and singing programme and it was beautiful. It was a very special moment, for the young mammies as much as well, because they could see the joy their babies were bringing to the older ones.”

Having gone from strength to strength in the last four years, the next phase for Ruby's Fitness, said Bronagh, will be to secure funding that will help them one day achieve their dream of having their own specialised gym.

PROUD: Sinead Lynch celebrates with Benjamin Thompson, who took part in his first ever triathlon recently.

It will be a safe space where there's no noise or bright lights, and where there is privacy for those who might need help with personal care or just a bit of space and time to sit with their own thoughts.

Said Bronagh: “It's not just about exercise. It's about building confidence, being grateful for what you have but also understanding that you can do things that might seem beyond reach.

“I had one mammy say to me she couldn't believe how much her son was able to do with us, because at his school it was just assumed he couldn't do certain physical activities because of his disability.

“But we know the ability is there for everyone; it's just about unlocking their potential.”