The Wellness Gym began with a personal commitment. In 2009, Associate Professor Lynnette Jones from the University of Otago established an exercise programme for breast cancer survivors, inspired by supporting her close friend Chrissie Mahoney through advanced breast cancer. Though Chrissie passed away in December 2009, her spirit lives on in every person who walks through our doors.
What started as one programme has grown into something powerful: a bridge between scientific research and real-world support for cancer survivors.
Partnerships & Growth
A strong collaboration with the Oncology Departments at Dunedin Hospital and Mercy Hospital has been central to our success. This partnership, now also backed by a three year financial commitment by Mercy Hospital, ensures our programme links scientific theory with practical, safe exercise opportunities for people at every stage of their cancer journey.
Over the past couple of decades, extensive research—including numerous postgraduate studies—has shown what works. Combining resistance training with aerobic exercise improves muscle strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, functional ability, and quality of life. It may reduce cardiovascular risk factors and support your return to work.
These aren't just our findings—they're backed by large international studies. This evidence gives us confidence to continue developing tailored exercise programmes for cancer survivors in active treatment. It gives oncologists the confidence to continue referring clients to us. And it gives our clients confidence that they're doing something meaningful for their recovery.
Today, the Wellness Gym is a registered charitable trust and operates as a community-based service in Dunedin. We have the knowledge, the experience, the support of medical professionals, and tremendous passion from our community of current and past clients.
We continue to grow our team of qualified trainers to keep up with ever-increasing demand.
What we need is funding to sustain this vital service and expand our reach to more cancer survivors who need us.
