The Active Health Group

Based in Truro, the heart of Cornwall, we are personal trainers offering specialist personal training to individuals and groups requiring bespoke programs to improve their health and well-being.  We are committed to providing relevant and appropriate health and fitness training by designing and implementing these programs in corporate settings, with individuals who require specialist training and with those who want to improve their overall health and well-being.

We offer a wide variety of services including:

• Personal training 1-2-1 or small groups
• Corporate fitness protocols, design, risk assessment and management
• Exercise referral programs
• Nordic Walking instruction and group sessions
• Post injury rehabilitation to regain fitness
• Exercise implementation and management for back pain
• Post stroke/ ABI functional training

In addition to being the primary trainer, Felicia Sheingold organizes a bank of complimentary trainers and providers within The Group.

Felicia Sheingold

Felicia has a BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Science/Exercise Physiology. She is on the Register of Exercise Professionals as a L4 Advanced Exercise Specialist with L4 Exercise and Management of Lower Back Pain, L3 Exercise Referral and L2 Nordic Walking Instructor qualifications. REP’s Registration number is ROO43777.  For more information on the Register for Exercise Professionals Qualification Framework click here.

Felicia has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years, first training in the USA and practicing as a Personal Trainer and then continuing her education and instruction here in the UK.  Felicia has been selected by Headway and The ARNI Trust for specialist training to work with stroke survivors and individuals who have had an injury to the brain.  This  training was completed in the first quarter of 2011 and has added a L4 Exercise After Stroke accreditation from Middlesex University to her already impressive list of qualifications.

She is presently undertaking a pilot study for The ARNI Trust, Headway and the NHS that aims to increase mobility through functional training. This type of activity is what is required as close as possible to injury, through physiotherapy and well into the future. The participants are learning and practicing skills that enable them to be more independent, confident and motivated. The results are fantastic and updates will be posted at completion of the study. For more information on this program click here.

Felicia offers Bikeability courses and cycle coaching to schools and individuals.  She is also involved with Cycleability, a group working with Cornwall Sports Partnership, committed to helping those with a disability by offering a variety of bicycle options to enable them to ride. Have a look at some of the bikes designed for inclusivity here.

 

A bit about me…

‘When I was young I was out and about after school and all day at the weekends until I heard my name being shouted by my mother that dinner was ready! I did loads of stuff like cycling, fishing, playing baseball and swimming or just playing in the woods with friends. I had always led an active life. At 18 I had a motorcycle accident and broke a large proportion of my body including damaging vertebrae in my back. The prognosis was that nothing could be done to repair the fractured and compressed discs and that they would continue to deteriorate over time. 

Not happy with that potential outcome I decided what I needed to do was to strengthen my musculature, especially those helping me to stay upright! Once I was physically able to go to the gym that is exactly what I did. I spent so much time there that I decided to enter bodybuilding competitions! I trained hard up to 3 times per day 6 days a week and did quite well in my class/weight.

What I learned from that experience was how amazing the body is, how it is able to recover and how it compensates when required. I still have issues with my back and I have no doubt that I always will, and it is always worse when I go any length of time without exercising! 

Having suffered with chronic back pain for so many years, I made it my mission to learn how to alleviate the pain without reliance upon medication. I want to share this knowledge with you. For over 25 years I have continued to educate myself and gain the practical experience that leads me here today. I pride myself on my ability to motivate my clients, by listening to their needs and understanding their goals.

In addition to those with back pain, I also routinely work with clients who have brain injury through stroke or ABI, osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s as well as those who are overweight, unfit or training for competition.  I work efficiently and help clients achieve their goals by using the most suitable tools and appropriate programs for their needs.

Making a difference is why I entered this field and I feel an incredible amount of joy and satisfaction when a person’s life is changed for the better. I would feel privileged to have the opportunity to help you achieve your goals and to help make your life better because of that achievement.

I am lucky that this journey to better personal strength and health lets me do all kinds of activities for fun. I love to travel by bicycle, checking out the local scenery, the culture and even the occasional pub! If I am not exploring by bike, I walk with Nordic walking poles, in fact going on a walk without them is a really odd feeling! My latest challenge is kite surfing – A total adrenaline rush that is matched only by the beauty of the windswept gorgeous beaches that Cornwall offers.