Our Instructors
Expert instructors who understand the cardiac journey
Every Heart-Throbs class is led by a qualified specialist in cardiac rehabilitation exercise. Our instructors bring not only the right qualifications but a genuine understanding of what our members have been through and what they need to thrive.
Ben
Zoom • Tuesdays 10am
Ben is the owner and head trainer of F45 Islington and brings more than 15 years of personal training experience to his Heart-Throbs Zoom sessions. A former rugby player, Ben leads a dynamic strength and mobility class every Tuesday at 10am online.
Ben specialises in resistance band training, which is particularly well suited to cardiac rehabilitation. Resistance bands provide joint-friendly exercise, improve strength and stability, and can be used safely at home without any specialist equipment. His sessions focus on helping members build functional strength, maintain balance and improve flexibility, all key goals for healthy ageing and cardiac recovery.
Daria
Zoom • Thursdays 10am
Daria is an Active Ageing Specialist and Posture Specialist who holds a qualification from BACPR (the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation). She leads online Zoom classes every Thursday at 10am.
Her sessions are designed specifically for active ageing populations and address a remarkably wide range of health goals in a single class: cardiovascular fitness to strengthen the heart, proprioception and balance for fall prevention, joint health and mobility, and even brain plasticity exercises to support cognitive function. She also incorporates vagus nerve stimulation through relaxation techniques to help reduce blood pressure.
Mark
Holtwhites • Wednesdays & Fridays
Mark has been teaching cardiac rehabilitation Phase IV exercise classes for many years and leads multiple sessions at Holtwhites each week. He is one of the most experienced cardiac exercise instructors in the group.
Mark’s philosophy is that what keeps people coming back to class is not just the exercise itself but the friendships, the banter and the fun. His own research into why members attend consistently found that while exercise is the primary goal, the warmth and fellowship of the group is what builds the lasting habit. His classes are known for being friendly, encouraging and full of laughter.
Hara
Holtwhites • Mondays, including Heart-Throbs Lite
Hara has worked in sport, fitness and health since 1997. After more than a decade as a Sports Lecturer, she retrained during the 2020 Covid lockdowns and is now a Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Physiologist working for the NHS with patients recovering from recent cardiac events. She is also a trustee of the Movement Charity, which provides free exercise classes to disadvantaged women.
At Heart-Throbs, Hara leads multiple sessions at Holtwhites each week, including the popular Heart-Throbs Lite class on Monday mornings. Her goal is to help every member live a functional, healthy and independent life, whatever their age or condition.
Lynn
St Stephen’s • Monday evenings
Lynn has been teaching exercise for over two decades and first taught for Heart-Throbs 20 years ago when sessions were held at David Lloyd. After a break she returned three years ago and teaches the Monday evening class at St Stephen’s Church Hall.
Lynn trained as an exercise to music teacher after discovering her love of fitness classes as a stay-at-home parent. She went on to train as a cardiac rehabilitation instructor and worked with North Middlesex Hospital, where she was recruited specifically as a Turkish-speaking instructor to deliver Phase III cardiac rehab sessions in Turkish, a testament to her dedication and the reach of her expertise.
Meet the team in person
Come along to a class and see for yourself. Call 07951 740034 to arrange your first session.