The gym, costing $250,000, is the latest addition to the growing complex that offers clients a nurse-led model of care to support the needs of FNQ residents and their experience with cancer.

Since opening the COUCH Wellness Centre in May of 2019, the organisation has seen a sustained demand for its services particularly through COVID-19 where the centre continued to offer its services to clients.

The new gym is a welcome addition to the busy cancer Wellness Centre which already provides nursing support, allied health services, complementary therapies, and activities including pilates, yoga, tai chi, and meditation.

“Exercise is so important for people at every stage of the journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Keeping active can help relieve the effects of clinical cancer treatment and related fatigue, as well as improve strength and mobility, and improve general wellbeing,” said Erin Robinson, COUCH Health Promotion Officer.

The COUCH Wellness Centre, in addition to its nursing team and allied health practitioners, also has an accredited exercise physiologist on staff who has completed specialised oncology training to provide high level support for people with a cancer diagnosis. Individual consultations are available as well as small group circuit training in the new gym.

COUCH Wellness Centre Cancer Care Services Coordinator, Kath Turner says “therapeutic exercise as prescribed by our Exercise Physiologist aims to prevent disability and provide rehabilitation from pathological processes which can result in loss of function and participation in the community.” 

If you are living with cancer and require support with your health and wellbeing, contact the COUCH Wellness Centre to find out more about our services by visiting www.couch.org.au or phone (07) 4032 0820.