I am a Level 4 Exercise Professional who specialises in Cardiac Rehabilitation (Cardiac Disease). I first qualified with the BACPR (British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation) in February 2005. I have kept my knowledge in the field up-to-date by re-validating my qualification every three years with the latest being in February 2023.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, I had been running my own community-based Phase 4 Cardiac Rehabilitation classes in Surbiton, Surrey since 2005 and had five busy and successful classes every week. My classes were circuit based and had many friends and family members attending alongside the cardiac patients as they enjoyed the format just as much. I am now back to teaching three classes a week in Surbiton and one in Purley, Surrey and they now are a mix of circuit and aerobic style classes.
Since COVID-19 I have taken my classes online and have been able to extend my reach to many more patients across the country who do not have access to a Phase 4 or local exercise classes. My participants love the fact that they can choose when to exercise and which style and intensity of class to do each time.
I was one of the Lead Exercise Instructors in the Phase 3 Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation programme based at the Surbiton Health Centre, Surrey from January 2011 to October 2020. I had been responsible for setting up the whole new patient exercise pathway that the patient undertakes from the initial assessment to their final assessment. This included designing a 7-level exercise circuit to suit all fitness levels and abilities that gets presented to the patients on the programme even today. I also gave the exercise talk and provided much needed exercise advice to patients throughout their cardiac rehabilitation journey.
Lauren Walker worked within ‘Your Healthcare CIC’ as a member of our multi-disciplinary team for over 10 years. She independently assessed people for our exercise programme and provided phase 3 classes in addition to her own community cardiac rehab classes locally. Her experience and confidence in leading exercise puts people at their ease and she is able to adapt exercise prescriptions to meet individual needs. She was an invaluable member of our team.
Ali Child MSc, RN Queen’s Nurse, Lead Nurse
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation Service, Your Healthcare CIC
I have taken my classes online and I provide two different exercise classes a week with further advice and tips and these are then available to watch on this website.
My other fitness qualifications include:
Level 4 – Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Chronic Respiratory Disease)
Level 3 – Pilates
Level 3 – GP / Exercise Referral
Fitness Pilates
Level 2 – Gym Instructor (with circuit training module)
I am able to provide Nutrition advice for Physical Activity
GP Exercise Referral – What does it mean?
In 2005 I completed The Wright Foundation’s GP Referral Programme Consultant qualification. This industry-wide recognised qualification allows me to prescribe exercise to a number of different specialist populations safely alongside my more specific Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab qualifications.
If anyone suffers from one or more of the following medical conditions, they can be sure that the exercise classes in Cardiac Lauren are safe and appropriate for them too:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- High Cholesterol
- Respiratory disorders – Asthma, COPD
- Musculoskeletal disorders – Back pain, Joint replacement
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Stroke/TIA
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- The elderly
- Anxiety & Depression
- Hypo/Hyperthyroidism
- Cancer
- Psychological disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Eating Disorders
The Cardiac Lauren classes are also suitable for those who have been more sedentary than they should and wish to start exercising but at a lower intensity level.
Message Lauren if you would like to find out if she can help you.
Other Interesting Information About Lauren Walker
Lauren Walker graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and History, but a lifelong interest in dance propelled her in a different direction. Lauren started dancing at age 2½, and having always held a keen interest in health and fitness decided to teach adult dance and exercise classes.
In 2002, Lauren Walker made the change full-time; building a very successful dance (Line dancing, Salsa & Rock ‘n’ Roll) and fitness business that incorporated all aspects of health & fitness.
In 2004, whilst she was on a gym shift, she was approached by two ladies to help them continue their recovery post-cardiac surgery. The two ladies made such good progress that they returned to their life even fitter than pre-surgery. The three of them had such great fun that this sparked Lauren’s interest in Cardiac Rehabilitation and she then decided to become qualified in this discipline.
In the summer of 2017 she became a Director of Avenue Health Ltd and now helps run three successful osteopathic practices with her husband.
In late 2019 she decided to concentrate on her Cardiac Rehabilitation and Pilates classes and so took the decision to close her dance classes. She is still involved in the day-to-day running of Avenue Health.
Lauren has Public Liability Insurance.
