Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by Laura Jensen
This case study highlights the importance of group exercise for instructors with a disability as well as participants who are recovering from cancer. It also covers coronary breast cancer, back pain, mental wellbeing of participants/instructors, and the enhanced value of human capital.
Sam James is a group exercise instructor operating under her brand name InclusFit – working tirelessly to get everyone exercising regardless of the visible and invisible challenges. Sam knows first-hand about the challenges that can stop people from being active. As an instructor with cerebral palsy, Sam encourages participation from all.
In 2023 Sam had back pain so severe that it required treatment in the form of two nerve blocker injections. At the time it would take her ~30 minutes to get from one room to another. For six months post diagnosis, Sam was unable to return to her role as an instructor which had a negative impact on her mental health. Once the treatment was effective, Sam’s spinal consultant encouraged her to return to work carefully. Sam couldn’t wait to get back to doing what she loves and knew she had to start moving more vigorously as an instructor if she were to regain her previous mobility and get back to teaching all her former classes.
Sam is on a mission to pave the way for others who have a disability. There are many opportunities in the instructor workforce for people with disabilities and Sam wants to prove this to the world. Her enthusiasm and energy resonate with her class participants who were thrilled to have her back following her spinal treatment.
One of those participants is Debbie who throws herself wholeheartedly into every class, not letting her own history of surgeries perturb her. In 2010 Debbie had double rotator cuff surgery, followed by a back surgery a few years later. She knows how important it is to keep active in order to maintain muscular strength in these (and all) areas to prevent pain. Debbie isn’t a fan of the gym and finds it hard to motivate herself to train alone.
When we visited there were 13 attendees at the class. All do a variety of classes but group exercise is their only form of structured activity.
Debbie really struggled during Covid-19 when she was unable to exercise with others. She was somewhat sedentary and couldn’t walk down the drive because of how much pain she was in. Her sports physio encouraged her to do group exercise, and this has been transformative for Debbie. Group exercise has a plethora of ‘styles’ which is perfect for someone like Debbie who likes to keep her exercise varied and physically rewarding. She does Zumba, Aquafit, ‘Legs, Bums & Tums’, Body Conditioning and ‘Rock Box’ – the latter being her favourite style because of the movements involved and its ability to destress her.
The mental upsides of group exercise are highly important for Debbie. In 2022 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a mastectomy. Her current medication, Tamoxifen, blocks estrogen which affects her hormones. While on this medication Debbie gets tired, has hot flushes and sweats, and her stress levels are elevated. She has found that group exercise helps to control her stress and emotions.
Debbie also said that she is “very grateful” for the community aspects of group exercise that “improve her mental health”. When she first joined the classes at the Vale Community Campus in Pewsey she knew nobody, but now regularly socialises with her classmates after sessions. They helped her emotionally during her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Looking back, Debbie said “I wish I did more group exercise and gym work in my 40’s and 50’s” and is keen for others to have the opportunity to participate. When reflecting on what advice she would give to others who have never participated she said “get into doing it! It is so good for back pain. It is a huge mental relief, and the social aspect never fails to lift your spirits.” Debbie finished by recognising Sam and emphasised the vital role that instructors have in making sure people come back again and again. “Sam is an inspiration and makes everything so fun”.
This is just one of the 10 case studies featured in the EMD UK Social Value of Group Exercise report, exploring the ways in which group exercise can improve the lives of those it supports.
To read the rest of the case studies, and explore the full findings of the report, click the button below.
