David Poole · Nowercise
Exercise & lifestyle support during & after cancer
Do more of the things you love.
Personalised online coaching built around you, your energy and what matters to you.
Why I do this
I lost my mum to cancer in my early twenties. Years later, it took my dad too.
Now I help people with cancer, whatever their age or starting point, get back to the things they enjoy. A long walk. A round of golf. Time in the garden. A family holiday.
Dave Poole · Cancer Exercise Specialist
“In January I could barely walk up a kerb. Four months later I went to Scotland, on and off trains, up twenty steps. Unthinkable in January.” Wendy, Nowercise client
ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist
How it works
Three simple steps
Knowing exercise could help is one thing. Knowing where to start, how much to do and how to fit it around cancer is another.
Get started
Sign up today, or book a free chat first if you’d like to talk it through. Either way, we start by looking at where you are and what you’d like to get back to.
I build your plan
It covers movement, energy, eating, sleep and stress. It’s all in the app: exercise videos, daily check-ins and your progress in one place.
We check in weekly
A 20-minute video call, with space for questions, worries and the little wins. Then I adjust your plan for the week ahead.
Our calls are for coaching, not live workouts. You won’t need to keep up with anyone else.
What clients say
“Back in January, I struggled to do one.”
Wendy, on sit-to-stands. Four months later she was doing them in sets of three.
“When I signed up with David back in January of this year, I could barely walk up a curb. I struggled, had to use my walking stick and preferably hold onto something or someone else.
I avoided going out into my back garden because it involved three steps to get back in. Getting up from a chair or a toilet was equally difficult. I needed to use both hands to either push myself up or hold onto something to pull myself up, and similarly, to lower myself down, I usually got so far and flopped down the rest.
However, after 4 months with David I managed on and off the train and at my sister-in-law’s house, and I climbed up to the front door and up to the first level, and up to the top level. That’s about 20 steps and I managed this on two days. Unthinkable for me back in January.
I’m really, really pleased with the progress I’ve made. It’s been slow, but I prefer that, with David it’s baby steps, never causing pain or flare ups.
I’ve tried other trainers, but find their idea of a starting point, typically a starting point of 10 or more sit-to-stands, far exceeds mine. Back in January, I struggled to do one.
We are in early May and David has introduced sit-to-stands into my routine; three, have a break, three, have a break, and another three. And the best part is I can do them, yes, I might need to use one hand to push off but I’m doing them.
David’s caring and thoughtful approach works, I can’t recommend him highly enough.”
Wendy“He supported me remotely and I used his app to track and manage my movement through the whole thing. He kept me as strong as possible physically but it was the extra bits as well. Help with my nutrition, my sleep, managing stress, all of it. He looked at everything, not just the workouts.”
Stuart Hamilton“David is excellent, he has really helped me to get fitter and I have seen great improvements to my health with his friendly, go do attitude. David has also taken into consideration my health issues, and together we have worked out a plan to get me fitter and stronger. I can’t thank him enough. Would highly recommend him to others. Thank you.”
Rosie Ball-reederWorking with me
You’ll work directly with me
I’ll get to know you, what you’re finding hard and what you’d like to get back to. That might be walking further, feeling stronger, or having the confidence to be active again.
You don’t need to arrive knowing what to do. We’ll start where you are and build from there, one week at a time.
The difference isn’t the exercises. It’s the support. When a hard week hits, I know about it, and we adjust together.
What’s included
It’s not just exercise
How you feel during and after cancer depends on more than movement. Your coaching covers five areas that all affect each other. We work on them together, one small step at a time, focusing on the areas that matter most to you.
1. Fatigue pacing
Fatigue is what most people I work with struggle with most. Using my 60% Fatigue Pacing Method, you learn to work within yourself and stop before you crash. Some weeks we build up. Some weeks we ease back.
2. Movement
Your own exercise plan, starting with what you can do now. Walking, strength, stretching, breathing, even seated movements. Every exercise has a video.
3. Eating well
Simple, realistic changes to help your body rebuild, like getting enough protein and staying hydrated. We take account of your treatment, your appetite and any advice from your healthcare team.
4. Sleep
Sleep is where recovery happens. We’ll look at your routine and what’s getting in the way, then pick a few small changes to try.
5. Stress
Breathing exercises, relaxation and meditations I’ve recorded for you. Plus time in our calls to talk about what’s been difficult.
Plus, every week
A 20-minute video call with me
Space for your questions, worries and the little wins. We set goals and decide where to push forward or pull back.
Your coaching app
Guided exercise videos, daily check-ins and a clear record of your progress. I see your check-ins, so I know how you’re doing between calls.
Your questions
Your questions answered
I finished treatment a while ago. Is this still for me?
Yes. You don’t need to be in treatment. Lots of people come to me afterwards, unsure about exercise or wanting to get back to things they enjoy. Your plan will take account of any lasting effects, your energy and your confidence.
What types of cancer do you work with?
Most types, during and after treatment. If you’re not sure, book a free chat and ask.
How do you check it’s suitable for me?
Before we start, you’ll complete readiness questionnaires and we’ll talk through your treatment and any advice from your healthcare team. Where needed, I’ll ask for sign-off from your GP or treating team first.
What happens after I sign up?
I’ll email you to say hello and send over your safety checks. Once those are done, we get started.
Can I cancel?
Yes, any time. There’s no minimum term. You also have a 4-week happiness guarantee. If you’re not happy in your first month, just tell me and you’ll get your money back.
How much time will it take each week?
We work around your fatigue, so your plan fits the energy you have. On a tired week, it might be very little. Plus our 20-minute call.
Will you exercise with me during our video calls?
No. Our calls are for coaching: checking progress, answering questions and planning your next steps. You do your exercises at home, in your own time, with the videos in the app. Your daily check-ins keep me up to date in between.
What if I’ve never exercised or used weights?
That’s fine. We start at your level, even if that means seated movements. There’s no set number you have to reach before you can work with me.
What if I’m not confident with technology?
I’ll help you get set up and show you how it all works. I’ve supported clients in their seventies who use the app every week.
How much equipment do I need?
Not much. Maybe some resistance bands or a few light dumbbells. We’ll talk about what you already have before you buy anything. No gym needed.
How do we work around treatment appointments?
Your plan can change from week to week. We’ll plan around your appointments and how you tend to feel afterwards. If your treatment schedule changes, we’ll adapt your plan with you.
What if my motivation is low?
You don’t need to feel motivated every day. If getting started feels hard, we’ll talk about what’s in the way and pick one small first step. If a week hasn’t gone to plan, we’ll look at why and adjust. That’s what the weekly calls are for.
How is this different from a generic fitness plan?
You work with an ACSM/ACS certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, on a plan built around your treatment, energy and goals. And it’s not just exercise. We work on fatigue, eating, sleep and stress too, because they all affect each other.
Will this help with my weight?
If weight matters to you, we can include it in your goals. But the main focus is building strength, confidence and habits that last, not a number on the scales.
Start your coaching
Two ways to get started
Please check with your care team before starting a new exercise programme.