Heart Mag – September 2026: Don’t Miss a Beat — New Cardiac Rehab Guidelines and a Bigger Autumn for MMM
Author: Jamie Pickett, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Health Facilitator, & Founder of My Movement Medicine.
11 minute read
Category: Heart Mag, My Movement Medicine C.I.C., Cardiac Rehabilitation, Heart Health, Services
Introduction
September is a big month for My Movement Medicine.
From week commencing the 5th of October 2026, the Hampstead service expands into its biggest timetable yet: five weekly face-to-face C.I.C. group sessions, three live online sessions, plus new 1-to-1 Clinical Exercise Physiology, small-group Clinical Exercise and Home Visit options.
The aim is simple: give people more ways to continue exercising safely and confidently after cardiac rehabilitation, while also making clinically informed exercise more accessible to people living with other long-term health conditions.
The timing is particularly relevant. World Heart Day takes place on 29th September under the 2026 theme “Don’t Miss a Beat”, and the European Society of Cardiology has just published its first dedicated guidelines on cardiac rehabilitation.
So this month’s Heart Mag is mainly about what is changing at My Movement Medicine this autumn — but also why the wider direction of cardiac rehabilitation increasingly supports a more personalised, accessible and long-term approach to recovery.
More sessions. More ways to take part. The same aim: helping people move safely, build confidence and keep going beyond formal rehabilitation.
6th October: the all new My Movement Medicine CIC timetable
From Tuesday the 6th of October, My Movement Medicine C.I.C. will offer five weekly face-to-face group sessions across four days at The Armoury in Hampstead.
Day | Face-to-face session | Online access |
Monday | 4:30–5:30 pm | Face-to-face only |
Monday | 5:45–6:45 pm | Hybrid — face-to-face + online |
Tuesday | 4:30–5:30 pm | Face-to-face only |
Wednesday | 5:30–6:30 pm | Hybrid — face-to-face + online |
Thursday | 4:30–5:30 pm | Hybrid — face-to-face + online |
That means there will be five opportunities to exercise face-to-face each week and three opportunities to join live from home.
Why expand the service now?
Finishing cardiac rehabilitation is a major milestone, but it is not the end of the need for exercise.
Many people leave formal rehabilitation knowing that activity is important but still asking practical questions:
How hard should I exercise now?
How do I progress safely?
Can I use a gym independently?
What should I do if my heart rate behaves differently?
How do I exercise around medication or another health condition?
What happens if I want more individual support?
What if travelling to a class is difficult?
The October expansion is designed to answer those questions with different levels of support rather than trying to make one service fit everybody.
Five ways to exercise with My Movement Medicine from October
The new structure gives participants five main routes into clinically informed exercise.
1. Face-to-Face C.I.C. Group Exercise
The core Hampstead service remains the face-to-face cardiac-focused group programme at The Armoury.
Sessions include a progressive warm-up, adaptable cardiovascular and resistance exercise, balance and mobility, Borg RPE 6–20, the talk test, full-session Polar heart-rate monitoring and a progressive cool-down.
The service is cardiac-focused but can also be appropriate for many medically stable adults with long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stable respiratory disease, chronic pain, deconditioning, reduced balance or mobility, and low exercise confidence.
Sessions start from £8.33 per session equivalent when using the 12-session pack (£100). New participants can also start with a free trial, PAYG is £15 per session, and monthly memberships start from £35.
2. Online C.I.C. Group Exercise
Three sessions each week will also be available live on Zoom as part of the hybrid timetable.
Online groups are limited to 10 participants. Cameras are required for communication and regular visual check-ins, and heart-rate monitoring is recommended where appropriate.
The online option is available UK-wide and can be particularly useful for people who live further away, find travelling difficult or simply prefer exercising from home.
Sessions start from £4.17 per session equivalent when using the 12-session online pack (£50). There is also a free trial, eligible health referrals can receive four free sessions, and online subscriptions start from £17.50 per month.
3. 1-to-1 Clinical Exercise Physiology
From October, individual Clinical Exercise Physiology sessions will also be available at The Armoury.
These sessions are for people who want more detailed assessment, individual exercise prescription, gym-based cardiovascular and resistance work, technique support, progression and optional exercise testing or re-testing.
Sessions are available for 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
Sessions start from £50 per session equivalent through the discounted starter package for 30-minute sessions. PAYG starts at £70 for 30 minutes.
Anyone who starts during the first month and remains an active client will keep their original discounted starter rate even if public pricing later increases.
4. Small-Group Clinical Exercise
Small-group Clinical Exercise sessions are designed for 2–5 people at The Armoury.
They sit between a larger C.I.C. class and a full 1-to-1 appointment: more individual attention, shared motivation and a lower cost per person.
Weights, cardiovascular intensity, Borg RPE targets and exercise options can all be adapted individually within the same session.
Sessions start from £30 per person, per session equivalent on the 12-session 30-minute package.
As with the 1-to-1 service, clients who begin during the first month and remain active clients keep their original starter pricing.
5. Home Visit Clinical Exercise
Home visits provide individual Clinical Exercise support in the participant’s own environment.
They may suit people who find travel difficult, prefer exercising at home, have reduced mobility or confidence, or want a programme designed around the space and equipment they already have.
Home visits are subject to location and availability.
Sessions start from £70 per session equivalent on the 12-session 30-minute home-visit package. PAYG starts at £90 for 30 minutes.
First-month clients who remain active keep their original starter pricing.
At-a-glance: which service might suit you?
Service | Best for | Starting point |
Face-to-face C.I.C. | Cardiac-focused community exercise, regular monitoring, group support | Free trial; packs from £8.33/session equivalent (12 for £100); PAYG £15; memberships from £35/month |
Online C.I.C. | UK-wide access, home exercise, travel difficulties, hybrid participation | Free trial; packs from £4.17/session equivalent (12 for £50); subscriptions from £17.50/month |
1-to-1 Clinical Exercise Physiology | Individual assessment, gym prescription, testing, detailed progression | Starter packages from £50/session equivalent; PAYG from £70 |
Small-group Clinical Exercise | 2–5 people wanting more individual attention while exercising together | Starter packages from £30 per person/session equivalent |
Home Visit Clinical Exercise | Individual exercise at home, mobility or travel barriers | Starter packages from £70/session equivalent; PAYG from £90 |
What do sessions cost?
For people comparing the different options, the lowest fixed pack price works out at £4.17 per session online or £8.33 per session face-to-face.
Online C.I.C. group sessions: from £4.17 per session equivalent — 12 sessions for £50
Face-to-face C.I.C. group sessions: from £8.33 per session equivalent — 12 sessions for £100
1-to-1 Clinical Exercise Physiology: from £50 per session equivalent through the discounted starter packages
Small-group Clinical Exercise: from £30 per person, per session equivalent
Home Visit Clinical Exercise: from £70 per session equivalent
New C.I.C. participants can also start with a free trial, and eligible health referrals can receive four free sessions.
These figures show the lowest fixed pack or package-equivalent rate for each service. PAYG and monthly membership options are also available, so the best choice depends on how often you plan to attend and the type of support you need.
The cheapest option is not always the most appropriate option. The right starting point depends on health, confidence, goals, supervision needs, location and preference.
View current My Movement Medicine plans and pricing — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/pricing-plans/list
National Lottery funding: helping strengthen the Hampstead service
The October expansion is also supported by a successful National Lottery Awards for All bid for the Hampstead programme.
The funding helps strengthen the community service through equipment, delivery capacity and the infrastructure needed to support more participants.
For a Community Interest Company, this matters because the aim is not simply to add more commercial appointments. It is to build a sustainable community service that can offer affordable, clinically informed exercise and create routes into activity for people who may otherwise struggle to continue after formal rehabilitation.
The funding also supports the wider aim of making the service easier for cardiac rehabilitation teams, GPs, social prescribers and other health professionals to refer into.
Read the GP Referral Pack & Self-Referral Guide — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/gp-pack-self-referral-guide
Recognition for the service
My Movement Medicine has also received external recognition for its work in exercise referral, cardiac rehabilitation and Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Health Referral Specialists of the Year 2025 – London
Cardiac Rehabilitation Innovation Award 2025
Best Emerging Exercise Physiology Service 2026 – UK
The first two awards were received through the Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Awards 2025, while the 2026 recognition forms part of the Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards.
These awards are useful industry recognition and help raise awareness of the service. They are not clinical accreditation or NHS endorsement.
The clinical credibility of the programme still rests on professional qualifications, health screening, exercise prescription, recognised standards, symptom monitoring and how participants are supported in practice.
View My Movement Medicine’s 2025 GHP winner page — https://ghpnews.digital/winners/my-movement-medicine/
View the 2026 Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards programme — https://ghpnews.digital/awards/biotechnology-lifesciences-awards/
World Heart Day 2026: Don’t Miss a Beat
World Heart Day takes place on 29th September.
The World Heart Federation’s 2026 campaign uses the message: “Heart disease can hide in plain sight: Don’t Miss a Beat.”
That message is a useful reminder that cardiovascular disease is not always obvious.
High blood pressure, raised cholesterol and diabetes can all increase cardiovascular risk without necessarily making somebody feel unwell day to day.
World Heart Day is therefore not only about recognising a heart attack. It is also about prevention, knowing your risk, recognising changes and acting early.
Know your numbers, but do not become ruled by them
Knowing key health information can be useful.
Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Blood glucose or HbA1c
Resting heart rate
Waist or weight trends where relevant
Exercise capacity
But monitoring should have a purpose.
A number is most useful when you know what action you will take with it. Repeatedly checking blood pressure or heart rate without a clear reason can sometimes increase anxiety rather than improve health.
Use monitoring to inform decisions, then return to the behaviours that make a difference: medication adherence, activity, nutrition, sleep, smoking cessation where relevant, and regular medical review.
The first dedicated ESC cardiac rehabilitation guidelines
On 28 August 2026, the European Society of Cardiology published its first guidelines dedicated specifically to cardiac rehabilitation.
Until now, cardiac rehabilitation recommendations had largely been spread across guidelines for different cardiovascular conditions.
The new guidance brings cardiac rehabilitation together as a comprehensive programme rather than treating it as exercise alone.
The ESC highlights benefits including physical fitness, mental functioning, confidence, quality of life and reduced hospitalisation.
2026 ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Rehabilitation — https://www.escardio.org/guidelines/clinical-practice-guidelines/all-esc-practice-guidelines/cardiac-rehabilitation/
ESC: Heart, body and mind — the first cardiac rehabilitation guidelines — https://www.escardio.org/news/press/press-releases/heart-body-and-mind--the-first-esc-guidelines-highlight-the-many-benefits-of-cardiac-rehabilitation/
What do the new guidelines cover?
The guideline scope is primarily Phase II cardiac rehabilitation, so it should not be presented as a direct guideline for community Phase 4 exercise.
However, several of its themes are highly relevant to what people need across the longer recovery journey.
Who should receive cardiac rehabilitation
Exercise training
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Risk-factor management
Education
Psychological and emotional support
Goal setting
Patient-reported outcomes
Different methods and settings for delivering rehabilitation
Long-term functioning and quality of life
The ESC has also released a patient version, designed to help patients and families understand what cardiac rehabilitation can include and take a more active role in decisions about their recovery.
2026 ESC Patient Guidelines — Cardiac Rehabilitation — https://www.escardio.org/guidelines/clinical-practice-guidelines/guidelines-for-patients/2026-patient-guidelines/
Cardiac rehabilitation is more than an exercise class
This is one of the most important messages to take from the new guidance.
Exercise is central, but successful rehabilitation also involves confidence, self-management, education, risk-factor management, mental wellbeing and helping people return to the activities that matter to them.
That is why My Movement Medicine has gradually expanded beyond a single weekly circuit.
Some people simply need a regular class. Others need more detailed heart-rate support, a 1-to-1 session, exercise testing, online access, a small group or help exercising at home.
The service works best when the format can change around the person rather than expecting the person to fit one fixed format.
What happens after formal cardiac rehabilitation?
The ESC guidelines focus on Phase II rehabilitation, but a familiar practical problem remains: what happens when the programme ends?
People may understand that they should stay active but lose the routine, monitoring, social support or confidence that helped them exercise during rehabilitation.
Long-term community services cannot replace medical care, but they can help bridge the gap between a supervised rehabilitation programme and independent lifelong exercise.
That is the role My Movement Medicine C.I.C. is trying to strengthen this autumn.
Heart-rate monitoring: useful feedback, not a competition
Heart-rate monitoring remains an important part of the face-to-face C.I.C. programme and is recommended for suitable online participants.
It can help show how the cardiovascular system responds during the warm-up, main exercise and recovery.
But heart rate is not interpreted on its own.
Medication, rhythm, pacemaker settings, fitness, heat, hydration, sleep and recent illness can all influence the number.
That is why My Movement Medicine combines heart rate with Borg RPE 6–20, the talk test, symptoms and movement quality.
Warm-up: start around RPE 6 and gradually build towards 10–11
Main circuit: commonly RPE 11–14 depending on the individual and the day
Cool-down: return into single figures and towards RPE 6 where possible
Calculate your target heart-rate training zone
My Movement Medicine has a free online programme to help estimate target heart-rate training zones.
Calculate My Target Heart Rate — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/challenge-page/3b601710-48b2-404e-9f0e-8c7c84a6a6be?programId=3b601710-48b2-404e-9f0e-8c7c84a6a6be
A calculated zone is an estimate rather than an exercise test.
If your cardiac rehabilitation team or another clinician has prescribed a specific training zone following exercise testing, that individual prescription should generally take priority.
Read: How to Calculate Your Target Heart-Rate Training Zone — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/how-to-calculate-your-target-heart-rate-training-zone
What you may have missed in August
August was a busy month for My Movement Medicine, with new and updated guides covering physical activity, safe exercise progression and walking.
Heart Mag – August 2026: Every Movement Counts
August’s Heart Mag looked at the refreshed UK physical activity guidance, the message that every increase in movement matters, National Lottery funding for the Hampstead service and the first details of the expanded autumn timetable.
Read Heart Mag – August 2026 — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/heart-mag-august-2026-every-movement-counts-new-timetable
When Should You Make Exercise Harder? A Guide to Safe Progression
This guide looks at one of the most common exercise questions: when is it time to progress? It covers step height, weights, exercise options, cardiovascular intensity and the importance of changing one thing at a time rather than simply making every session harder.
Read the Safe Progression Guide — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/when-should-you-make-exercise-harder-safe-progression
Walking for Heart Health
The Walking for Heart Health guide was also updated in August. It covers walking intensity, Borg RPE, progression, warning symptoms and how to build a practical walking routine after cardiac rehabilitation or while managing a long-term health condition.
Read Walking for Heart Health — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/walking-for-heart-health-an-activity-guide-for-cardiac-rehabilitation-patients
For all current articles and resources, visit the My Movement Medicine Health Guide Library — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/health-guides
September challenge: Keep the Beat
The World Heart Federation is encouraging people to use September to make small heart-health changes.
For the My Movement Medicine version, choose one action you can repeat rather than trying to overhaul everything at once.
Take a purposeful walk every day
Add one extra structured exercise session each week
Complete strength exercise twice per week
Check your blood pressure if you have been advised to monitor it
Make one regular meal more heart healthy
Use five minutes each day for breathing, relaxation or mindfulness
The important part is consistency.
World Heart Federation — Keep the Beat — https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/get-involved/keep-the-beat/
Make it SMART
Turn your September action into a SMART goal: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
For the next four weeks, I will walk for at least 20 minutes after lunch on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and record each walk in my calendar.
Your goal can be different. Choose something that fits your health, ability and routine.
A month until launch: what to do now
If you are already part of My Movement Medicine, September is a good time to decide what you want your autumn routine to look like.
Decide how many group sessions per week you realistically want to attend
Consider whether face-to-face, online or a combination suits you
Think about whether a 1-to-1 assessment would help clarify your goals
Review your heart-rate training zone if you use one
Make sure your health information is up to date
Tell us about any medication, symptom or medical changes before increasing exercise
If you are new to the service, a free C.I.C. trial is the easiest way to experience the group format before committing.
Useful My Movement Medicine links
GP Referral Pack & Self-Referral Guide — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/gp-pack-self-referral-guide
Calculate My Target Heart Rate — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/challenge-page/3b601710-48b2-404e-9f0e-8c7c84a6a6be?programId=3b601710-48b2-404e-9f0e-8c7c84a6a6be
Heart Mag – August 2026: Every Movement Counts — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/heart-mag-august-2026-every-movement-counts-new-timetable
Warm Weather Exercise With Health Conditions — https://www.mymovementmedicine.co.uk/post/warm-weather-exercise-health-conditions
Frequently asked questions
When does the new timetable start?
The expanded timetable starts on Tuesday the 6th of October 2026.
Do I have to have a heart condition to use My Movement Medicine?
No. The C.I.C. service is cardiac-focused, but many of the same exercise principles are useful for medically stable people managing other long-term conditions or rebuilding fitness and confidence.
Can I try a group session first?
Yes. New C.I.C. participants can access a free trial session.
What if I have a healthcare referral?
Eligible health referrals can receive four free sessions, including through the online C.I.C. route.
Can I combine face-to-face and online exercise?
Potentially, yes. Three of the five weekly C.I.C. sessions are hybrid from October, giving participants more flexibility around travel and routine.
Which new service is best for me?
A group session is often the most affordable option. A 1-to-1 session may be more appropriate if you need detailed assessment, exercise testing or individual supervision. Small groups provide a middle ground, while home visits are useful when travel or mobility is a barrier.
Are the awards clinical accreditation?
No. The GHP awards are external industry recognition. They help raise awareness of the work but do not replace professional accreditation, clinical standards or evidence-based exercise practice.
Do the new ESC guidelines mean everybody should exercise in the same way?
No. One of the important themes of modern cardiac rehabilitation is individualisation. Health status, symptoms, fitness, goals and preferences all influence the programme.
Summary
September marks the start of a significant new chapter for My Movement Medicine.
From 5 October, there will be more C.I.C. group sessions, more online access and three new ways to receive individual or small-group Clinical Exercise support.
The expansion has been helped by National Lottery Awards for All funding and comes alongside external recognition for the service through the 2025 and 2026 GHP awards.
At the same time, World Heart Day’s “Don’t Miss a Beat” message and the first dedicated ESC cardiac rehabilitation guidelines provide a useful reminder of the bigger picture: heart health is not only about surviving an event. It is about reducing future risk, rebuilding confidence, supporting mental and physical health, and creating an active routine that can last.
That is what the October expansion is intended to make easier.
References and further reading
World Heart Federation — World Heart Day 2026: Don’t Miss a Beat — https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/
World Heart Federation — Keep the Beat — https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/get-involved/keep-the-beat/
European Society of Cardiology — 2026 ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Rehabilitation — https://www.escardio.org/guidelines/clinical-practice-guidelines/all-esc-practice-guidelines/cardiac-rehabilitation/
European Society of Cardiology — Heart, body and mind: first dedicated cardiac rehabilitation guidelines — https://www.escardio.org/news/press/press-releases/heart-body-and-mind--the-first-esc-guidelines-highlight-the-many-benefits-of-cardiac-rehabilitation/
European Society of Cardiology — 2026 Patient Guidelines: Cardiac Rehabilitation — https://www.escardio.org/guidelines/clinical-practice-guidelines/guidelines-for-patients/2026-patient-guidelines/
Global Health & Pharma — My Movement Medicine 2025 winner page — https://ghpnews.digital/winners/my-movement-medicine/
This health guide was written by Jamie Pickett, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Health Facilitator, & Founder of My Movement Medicine & My Movement Medicine C.I.C.
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