TWO state of the art rowing machines designed for use by wheelchair users have been added to the impressive list of equipment available to clients at Cinderford's Forest Fitness Centre.

The machines have been purchased through the fund-raising effort of members of the centre's League of Friends who recently contributed £2,800.

They are designed to enable wheelchair users and people with back or hip problems the opportunity to take part in rowing exercises for the first time.

During the centre's recent shutdown Roger Niblett, the maintenance manager, oversaw the purchasing and installation of the machines. They were in immediate use at the first rehabilitation session when the centre reopened.

Director Alan Elliott, a physiotherapist, said the machines were an invaluable addition to the centre's extensive range of specialised equipment. He thanked the Friends for their continued support.

He said: "We have around 250 visits a week by clients with medical conditions and disabilities and these machines will open up a new aspect to their exercise programmes.

"With increasing pressure on the NHS our centre is becoming more important to Forest communities and we hope that many more wheelchair users will take advantage of the facilities in the future. Rowing is a valuable exercise - it works all the major muscle groups – helps mobilise the major joint complexes and assists with core level strength and stability which is essential for a wheelchair user."

Mr Elliott said that within a minute the rowers could be adapted for disabled clients or converted back to a mainstream machine. The second rower, he added, had a seat twice the height of a standard machine enabling clients with back or hip problems to be seated safely and comfortably without stress to their joints.