At Rotherham United Community Trust, we believe that it’s never too late to start your fitness journey—and our Body Tone class is proving just that.
Designed especially for women, the session offers a safe, supportive space to build strength, improve fitness, and connect with others. Two local women, Jane Palmer and Paula Hunter, have experienced first-hand the positive impact of the class and were happy to share their journeys.
Jane’s Journey: Discovering New Strength at 61
Jane Palmer, 61, joined the Body Tone class in April 2025 after being introduced to it by RUCT coach Jodie, who she met through another local session at the High Street Centre.
“I was already aware of how important strength training is at my age, and Jodie’s expertise and fun, positive approach made the class a perfect fit for me.”
Since joining, Jane has seen improvements in her strength, balance, posture, and overall fitness. But for her, the benefits go beyond the physical.
“I feel more confident and have met some lovely women from the local community. I’ve also learnt that my body is capable of more than I thought—there are so many exercises I can now do at home, with or without weights.”
Jane plans to continue attending Body Tone and is keen to try other RUCT sessions too. She believes classes like this can have a long-term impact on public health.
“I’m so grateful to Jodie and the RUCT team for supporting women like me, who are often overlooked. These sessions can reduce the risk of falls and support joint health, which could have a huge impact on the NHS. They also create rare opportunities for women from different cultures in Rotherham to meet and connect.”
Paula’s Progress: Building Fitness and Managing Menopause at 55
Paula Hunter, 55, was also encouraged to give the Body Tone class a try by Jodie—and she’s thrilled she did.
“Since starting the sessions, I’ve lost weight, improved my fitness, made new friends, and found it’s helped me manage my mood and menopause symptoms.”
Paula has gained a greater understanding of how to exercise safely, especially when it comes to protecting joints and strengthening the core. She now knows how valuable weight-based exercises can be in supporting bone density as she gets older.
“I love these classes. Jodie is so inspirational, kind, and supportive. I’ll definitely be continuing—and I really hope the sessions carry on, because there’s nothing else like this in Rotherham.”
About Body Tone
Body Tone is one of several wellbeing-focused fitness classes delivered by RUCT across Rotherham. Led by experienced and approachable coaches, the sessions are designed to help women improve their health and confidence in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Whether you’re returning to exercise, trying it for the first time, or simply looking for a friendly group to stay active with—we’d love to welcome you.
👉 To find out more or join a session, email us at health@rotherhamunited.net.
