After suffering a knee injury, Neely wasn't sure if she'd ever feel confident training again.
Like many people returning from an injury, she worried that her strength had gone, that certain movements would no longer be possible, and that she'd have to hold herself back.
What she found at Include Fitness was the support, coaching, and encouragement she needed to rebuild her confidence and discover she was capable of far more than she imagined.
The Challenge
Before returning to Include Fitness, Neely's biggest challenge wasn't motivation – it was confidence.
After time away with a knee injury, she was understandably nervous about getting back into training. She questioned whether she'd have the strength to perform the exercises she used to enjoy and whether her injury would limit what she could achieve.
Like many people recovering from an injury, I feared making things worse, which made taking that first step back into the gym feel daunting.
Why She Nearly Didn't Return
Returning after an injury can be just as difficult mentally as it is physically.
Neely admits she felt unsure about what she'd be able to do and whether she'd ever get back to where she was before.
Fortunately, she didn't have to face that journey alone.
From her very first session back, the coaching team adapted exercises to suit her ability, allowing her to rebuild her confidence while continuing to make safe progress.
The Turning Point
One of the biggest differences Neely experienced was the level of support.
The coaches worked closely with her, making adaptations whenever needed, while the friendly community helped her feel welcomed and encouraged every step of the way.
She also loved the structured training sessions and small-group strength coaching, where she received plenty of individual attention and learnt proper technique rather than simply being left to work things out on her own.
Training became something she looked forward to again.
The Results
Since returning to Include Fitness, Neely has:
✅ Rebuilt her confidence after a knee injury
✅ Returned to back squatting
✅ Achieved her strongest levels of strength to date
✅ Trained safely with personalised exercise adaptations
✅ Benefited from expert coaching in small-group strength sessions
✅ Enjoyed being part of a supportive and welcoming community
Here's what Neely had to say:
"I came back and had such good support from all the coaches and everyone at the gym really. Lots of adaptations were made to make things easier for me so I could take part."
And after rebuilding her strength:
"My strength is probably at its best ever, which is quite amazing, at my age and also coming back from an injury."
What This Means for You
If you're recovering from an injury or worried that your fitness setback has put your goals out of reach, you're not alone.
Many people delay returning because they lack confidence or don't know how to train safely.
Neely's journey shows that with the right coaching, personalised support, and an encouraging community, it's possible not only to return—but to come back stronger than before.
At Include Fitness, every programme can be adapted to meet you where you are, helping you build confidence, strength, and momentum at your own pace.
As Neely says:
"Just do it. My mindset was very low when I first injured myself, and it's just gone tenfold from being here. Even just turning up is an achievement when you feel like you're injured."
No matter where you're starting from, we'll help you take that first step.