Cardiac Lauren FAQs: Membership, Safety & Cardiac Rehab Questions Answered
How much does Cardiac Lauren cost?
The monthly subscription to Cardiac Lauren is £25.
Can I cancel my membership at any time?
Yes, you can. You can cancel via your personal Dashboard, or by messaging Lauren and she will arrange the cancellation. You will continue to receive the weekly emails and have access to the website until your latest month expires.
Is there a free trial or money-back guarantee?
There is no free trial, but we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do I need any equipment to take part?
No, you do not. Make sure your exercise area is large enough for you to take a large step to each side, and forwards. You may require a chair to use for some exercises or as a balance aid. I encourage you to have water nearby, and if you choose to use resistance, my ‘weights’ are tins of soup and jars of food sauce. You can always purchase equipment if you want to when you are confident to exercise with it.
How long are the classes?
They vary in length. There are some mini-classes which are around 30 minutes, whilst others are between 45 & 60 minutes. It is important to have an adequate warm-up and cool down in cardiac rehabilitation, therefore 10-20 minute classes are not suitable.
How often should I exercise during Phase 4 cardiac rehab?
The UK Exercise Guidelines for adults are 150+ minutes of moderate intensity exercise. Therefore, if you do not do other formal forms of exercise throughout the week, 3 classes are recommended. Some members may only do one class to complement their other exercise activities.
Can I access classes on my phone, tablet, or TV?
Yes, you can. You can login to your personal account on all devices, and you can also cast the classes on to a TV.
Do you offer a free sample class before I join?
No, I do not. You can try 7 classes for £7 if you want to try a variety of themes and lengths of classes without the commitment. https://www.cardiaclauren.co.uk/7cc
Is it safe to exercise without a doctor or nurse present?
Yes, it is. Most participants have completed their Phase 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation programme with the NHS, and will have been taught how to monitor themselves safely when exercising. There is a check-list before starting the classes which I encourage everyone to read and watch before starting.
If you did not complete Phase 3, e.g. you are at risk of a cardiac event, Lauren asks you to complete a medical questionnaire and will respond with information about where to start, and important tips and advice, ensuring it is safe for you.
The First Class is perfect to understand how the online classes are designed, and it will give you the confidence to exercise safely at home.
If you have any concerns, then message Lauren before starting the classes.
Do I need my doctor’s permission before starting?
No, you do not. Lauren can accept referrals, but the PARQ (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) that every new participant completes, will provide her with your medical history, medication, aches and pains, and your current activity and exercise levels.
What if I feel unwell during a class?
Due to the structure of the classes, this is rare. The first thing you must do is stop the exercise you are doing, but keep your feet moving (this will prevent you from passing out). If you have a chair nearby, you will sit down, and drink water.
The most common issues are low blood pressure/dizziness or too hot. Therefore, after a few minutes, if you feel well enough to continue, please do but at a lower intensity, and message Lauren after the class so she can provide advice next time.
If you continue to feel unwell, allow your body to slowly cool-down and seek medical attention. Message Lauren so she can help advise you on what to do next.
If anyone has angina, they will have access to a GTN spray/tablets and will have been taught how to use it safely.
If you believe you are having a cardiac event, please dial 999 immediately.
Is Cardiac Lauren a replacement for NHS cardiac rehab?
No. Cardiac Lauren is Phase 4, which is long-term exercise. The NHS provide programmes for Phases 1-3. Click here for information – https://www.cardiaclauren.co.uk/phase-1-hospital-care/
Is online cardiac rehab as effective as in-person classes?
Yes, it is. As Lauren is performing the exercises with you, she provides the same encouragement as she would in her face-to-face classes. Online Cardiac Lauren is able to provide a wider range of classes from strength, balance, cardio, HIIT, seated and more, which are not always available in a face-to-face class.
What qualifies Lauren to run these classes?
Lauren is a Level 4 Specialist Exercise Instructor in cardiac rehabilitation and has trained with the BACPR (British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation). She has to revalidate her qualification every 3 years.
She also has her Level 3 GP Referral/Long-Term Conditions qualification.
Can I join if I haven’t had a heart event but want to prevent one?
Yes, the BACPR stand for British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, so our classes are suitable for anyone at risk of a cardiac event. This could be high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history, diabetes, and more.
Is this suitable for elderly or less mobile participants?
Cardiac Lauren members are all ages, from their 20s to late 80s. There are low-intensity, seated, stretch, mobilise and functional classes, and using a chair as a balance aid is perfectly fine when learning how to build up their strength.
Can family members join too?
Yes, they can. I encourage others to join in, especially if it helps make it more fun, and more importantly, if they can make it a part of their weekly routine, they are more likely to stick to it.
Can I join if I’m still in Phase 3?
Lauren always encourages everyone to complete Phase 3 before starting Phase 4. There are Phase 3 classes available, so get your Phase 3 to contact Lauren for a discount code, and you can participate in those classes instead.
What’s the difference between Cardiac Lauren and NHS Phase 4 classes?
Cardiac Lauren is different as it is pre-recorded online classes which can be accessed 24/7. Most Phase 4 classes are at a venue on a set day and time, or ‘live’ on a digital platform. Cardiac Lauren is available to anyone in the UK, and as you can access it anywhere with Wi-Fi, you can take me on holiday with you!
The NHS rarely funds Phase 4 as it is long-term exercise, so most Phase 3 patients are referred to local Phase 4 programmes.
What’s the difference between online and face-to-face cardiac rehab?
Cardiac Lauren is pre-recorded classes with Lauren performing the exercises with you, so they are not ‘live’. Many members say that it still feels like she is in the room with them as she provides the same encouragement as she would in her face-to-face classes.
The range of class themes and length are more varied in Cardiac Lauren than what you can do in a face-to-face class.
Some members do not like a class environment for many reasons, for example, anxiety, therefore, online is perfect for them.
How is this different from a normal gym fitness class?
All classes have been designed to follow the BACPR guidelines for safety which you may not get in a normal gym fitness class. Specific elements such as the 15 minute warm-up and 10 minute cool-down will not be included in a normal class, as well as understanding not to change from standing to seated to lying during a class.
