On this page, we have included information that should answer many questions
that you should by now have about ARNI. Your next move should be to fill out a contact/application
form and send it to us online, and we will respond to you immediately.
You can contact us directly, but for a more considered answer to your enquiries, we have
found it helpful to have some idea of the nature of your requirements. So, help us to
help you by filling in the online contact/application form.
How much time do I need to commit?
The usual ARNI mode of training is group classes, which normally last for over an hour. Training is by necessity highly diffrerentiated. You will hardly ever find yourself in a group of over 6 people. We do expect you to do the exercises between sessions that Instructors will recommend for you.
Why are there no more ARNI clubs around the country?
ARNI has been granted full charitable status (as of 12/09/06) We now have the opportunity
to seek funding, create a instructor's training package, locate and train suitable teachers.
We expect this process to last well into 2007, so please be patient. We have found that
those who are determined to get better now, find a way to reach us every week.
How long does the training run for?
Once accepted into the group class, subject to positive health screen and once you are insured,
you can do as many sessions as you like. Obviously we expect commitment, as we ourselves
are working hard. For individuals, we would advise a course of 30 sessions. Of course, there
is no legal binding to this.
Can I join straight away?
Due to the high demand we operate a waiting list in some training centres. Please complete
an application form to be placed onto the list. This
application does not commit you in anyway because we know that an individuals' circumstances
can change.
How much is it?
Training varies from free to a nominal charge (set at an upper limit of £10 an hour), depending on the Instructor we can place you with in your particular area. We are aligning ourselves with physical training experts around the country, most of whom own their own physical training businesses. You need to contact ARNI Central
to find out further details.
Am I fully insured?
Yes, you are fully insured (without any charge to you). By joining an ARNI class, you automatically are covered
under our insurance scheme. We are affiliated to Attend - the UK's largest membership organisation
formed to support the work of volunteers in the health and social care services. All our
Instructors have professional indemnity cover through us (and usually have their own comprehensive covers) and are CRB checked.
How qualified are ARNI Instructors?
ARNI Instructors are mostly rehab experts, personal trainers drawn from gyms and highly qualified people
carefully chosen from their own fields. Each Instructor will have various levels of expertise, but in common they have REPS Level 3, the standard by which they can call themselves 'personal trainers'. They will have completed the comprehensive ARNI Instructors
Course which teaches them how to safely train stroke survivors. Please ask specific trainers for details.
Will my medication affect the training?
This is a question for your doctor but we do take into account what medication you are on
and monitor pulse and blood pressure during each training session.
How long after stroke can I expect results?
This will depend on how hard you work. Typically we see improvements in balance, movement
and coping abilities almost immediately. Improvements in isolated movement are incremental
and dependant on each individuals' starting points.
Are there any limiting factors?
Age is the average enquirer's first concern. ARNI was initially conceived for younger people,
for whom there is less in the way of adequate rehab, Younger people want all the movement
they used to have, whereas we have found that older people tend to accept a level of non-movement
is going to be retained for the rest of their natural lives. Of course, this is a generalisation,
but our experience has shown some truth in it.
We accept stroke survivors therefore from ages 10 to 70. There are some exceptions, last
year we successfully trained a former RAF Pilot of 76 years, who could still do 30 press-ups!
When places become very limited, preference is always given to the younger stroke survivor.
ARNI is strictly non-racist and non-homophobic.
Will I be required to work at home?
Yes. We do like to give you personalised exercises to support your short and long term goals.
We have clients who still retain their physiotherapists - this is to be encouraged, and
ARNI actively works with the physiotherapists to provide as full a recovery strategy for
you as possible.
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