Mark R Fitness: Training through cancer
How exercise and biomechanics support body and mind
Personal training often works on goals such as strength, mobility and confidence. Yet at its heart it is about something deeper. It is about supporting people as they navigate the pressures, interruptions and unexpected turns that life presents. Trainers see clients at their best and at their most challenged, and the work becomes part practical guidance and part steady companionship.
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See qualifications below and website
That truth came sharply into focus when one of Mark Rahaman’s clients was diagnosed with colon cancer eight weeks ago. She had been feeling well, with only mild symptoms, yet the diagnosis forced an immediate shift in how she viewed her health, her work and the rhythm of her daily life. Hospital appointments, treatment schedules and the strain of uncertainty arrived all at once.
In this situation exercise becomes more than routine. It becomes a source of structure and strength. Mark’s role has been to help her maintain fitness, manage energy levels and use movement as a way to support both body and mind. Some days call for gentle strength work. Others allow for cardiovascular training. Biomechanics helps ease medication related spasms. Each session is shaped around how she feels that day.
Emerging research suggests that exercise may also influence recovery, hormonal balance and treatment tolerance. Yet beyond the science sits something simpler. Showing up, moving, breathing and maintaining agency during illness can be profoundly empowering.
This is a story about that process. It is about resilience, the value of informed support and the quiet power of reacting with purpose when life changes course.
How Personal Training Supports Clients During Cancer Treatment
“As a personal trainer I get the opportunity to make a difference in my clients’ lives by helping them to feel good both physically and mentally. In truth, it really all comes down to the client, their values, focus and ability to lead a reasonably balanced life that enables them to reach their desired goal. The motivation and desire to achieve their goal comes from themselves. My job is to help them keep that motivation, give them the correct tools and to educate them along the way although there are always going to be challenges and obstacles. As a trainer you become a positive person in their team.”
“Approximately eight weeks ago a client of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer. She had felt fine physically with the only symptom being what had previously been diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. On receiving this kind of news I could see that she was instantly forced to think about so many different things like how her illness would affect her business, her spouse and all the everyday things she has to deal with, as well as booking hospital appointments and planning her life around the upcoming treatment.”
“This really is a huge challenge. Along with making these decisions you then have to go ahead and carry them out and fight with a positive attitude in the midst of uncertainty, as well as dealing with feeling ill and experiencing bouts of low energy.”
“When faced with such circumstances, you can either give up or choose to do all you can, which isn’t the easy choice. As far as I can see, this is a decision that needs to be made time and time again as you face the different physical and emotional challenges that cancer brings. My client has chosen to get up every day and work with the people around her in a positive way.
The Emotional Benefits of Staying Active After a Cancer Diagnosis
“Performing exercise, and especially working with a trainer, is something that can really empower a person. I can see that she used these sessions to set up her own success and lift her self-esteem. So she chose to keep up her training regime no matter how she felt.”
“Our main physical goal was to maintain her cardiovascular fitness along with maintaining her strength which not only helped her feel in good shape but also kept her strong to better tolerate the treatments she was going through and the ones to come.”
The Role of Biomechanics in Managing Pain and Medication Side Effects
“We took each session as it comes, depending on her energy; if she is feeling low in energy then we increased her rest time in between sets and worked primarily on strength training. I have found that certain medications will cause back spasms, so using some gentle biomechanics work to free and release muscles that are in spasm really helps in relieving this. When her energy was good then we used this to train her cardiovascular fitness to raise her heart rate. The reason to do this is to help get her through operations – fit for the operating table.”
Using Movement to Improve Hormonal Balance During Illness
“Exercise may also have an impact on the cancer’s development. Some recently published theories suggest that improving the hormonal state may have an effect on tumour development. So, for example, controlling insulin levels with exercise, along with cortisol, may help reduce the ability of tumour cells to grow. Research also points to exercise helping with recovery after chemotherapy. It felt good to be in her corner and to help her fight for her health from day to day, knowing that the time spent with her really helped in so many ways.”
I saw this quote the other day, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it,” and from what I can see this is so true.”
Further information https://www.markrfitness.com/
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Mark Rahaman qualifications
| Date | Qualification |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Morpheus Labs Certified Conditioning Coach |
| 2014 | Cancer Rehabilitation Exercise Specialist |
| 2013 | Biomechanics Education, Biomechanics Coach |
| 2012 | Institute Of Optimum Nutrition, Sports Nutrition |
| 2011 | Intense Mixed Performance Accelerated Cross Training |
| 2011 | UKSCA Level 1 Strength And Conditioning Coach |
| 2011 | British Boxing Board Of Control Trainer/Seconds License |
| 2011 | British Boxing Board Of Control Basic First Aid |
| 2010 | Power plate health and fitness Level 1 & 2 |
| 2007 | Out Box Training with Adam Booth & David Haye |
| 2007 | Out Box Round 2 |
| 2004 | Premier Training International Limited |
| 2004 | Diploma in Sports massage therapy |
| 2004 | Diploma in Personal Training Level 3 including Nutrition for Health & Fitness, Circuit Training, Swedish Massage, Sports Massage Therapy, Emergency First Aid, Career & Personal Development |
Q. Can people continue exercising during cancer treatment?
A. Yes, many people can. The type and intensity of exercise should be guided by energy levels, medical advice and how the body responds on any given day. Gentle strength work, mobility exercises and light cardiovascular activity can help maintain fitness and wellbeing.
A. Regular movement can support cardiovascular health, preserve muscle strength and improve mood. It may also help the body tolerate treatment more effectively and support recovery between sessions.
A. Biomechanics helps reduce tightness, ease spasms caused by medication and improve movement patterns. Targeted techniques can relieve discomfort and support better function, especially in the lower back and hips.
A, Sessions are adapted. Rest periods are increased and strength based work is prioritised. The aim is to move safely, support circulation and maintain a sense of progress without overloading the body.
A. A trainer, who is a specialist in exercise suitable for cancer illnesses, provides structure, motivation and expert adjustments at a time when the body’s needs can change daily. It offers a sense of control, routine and support that can be valuable during treatment.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Mark R Fitness focuses on supporting clients’ physical and mental well-being during challenges like illness.
- Exercise provides structure, boosts strength, and alleviates medication side effects through biomechanics.
- Trainers adapt sessions based on energy levels, enabling clients to stay active even amidst treatment.
- Research suggests exercise may enhance recovery and hormone balance, positively impacting treatment outcomes.
- Personal training offers motivation, tailored strategies, and emotional support throughout the cancer journey.
