DARE to transform your health

What is resistance training?

Resistance training involves exercises that improve muscle strength and endurance by making your muscles work against an external force or resistance.
This type of training can include the use of free weights (dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells), resistance bands, or body weight (exercises that use your own body weight as resistance).

What is DARE?

DARE is an 8-week exercise group and resistance training program for people with diabetes. It involves 8 x 1 hour group exercise classes (1 per week for 8 weeks). Every class is led and supervised by the Diabetes Victoria Clinic’s exercise physiologist, who will closely monitor your progress, provide feedback, and modify exercises when needed.

You will learn practical knowledge and skills to boost your confidence to manage diabetes:

• Learn specific exercises to improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose management
• Understand how resistance training affects blood glucose levels
• Learn how exercise may interact with your medication(s)
• Learn how to reduce experiencing hypoglycaemia during and after exercise
• Learn how to build muscle mass to assist in weight management

DARE with us at Diabetes Victoria for $6.20* per 1 hour group session.

Is DARE right for me?

DARE is for people with diabetes who want to try resistance training in a safe and supervised environment. It’s for people of all ages, genders, body shapes, and fitness levels.

You can participate in DARE if you are taking insulin and oral medications to manage your blood glucose levels. We understand how exercise may interact with your blood glucose levels and diabetes medications so we will provide you with guidance to exercise safely and stress-free.

What’s involved?

You will have a one-on-one appointment with the exercise physiologist before the group classes start.
You will discuss your health, medications, fitness level, exercise preferences, and personal goals.

The group exercise classes look like this:

• A gentle warm up to get your body ready for exercise
• Strength training with resistance bands, light weights, or your body weight
• Balance exercises to improve your balance and lower your risk of falling

We understand that living with diabetes can affect your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. We focus on improving your overall quality of life by using exercise to:

• Boost your mood and reduce symptoms of depression
• Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and diabetes burnout
• Improve brain health (e.g., attention, concentration, memory)
• Improve sleep quality and energy levels
• Reduce chronic pain

You will learn proper technique and enjoy a variety of exercises in a fun, safe and supported environment. You will learn how to listen to your body and adjust exercise based on how you feel.

Where and when?

You must attend your one-on-one appointment before session 1 of the group program. These will be held at the Diabetes Victoria Clinic, 15-31 Pelham Street Carlton Victoria 3053.

Bookings are open now. The 8 exercise sessions will be held at Carlton Baths, 216-248 Rathdowne Street Carlton Victoria 3053.

After every session, please join us for a cuppa at Rathdowne and Reeves Café, 497 Rathdowne Street, Carlton (directly opposite Carlton Baths).

*Please note – full payment of the 8-week group program is paid upfront after your pre-group appointment. Medicare rebates ($19.30) will be processed after attending each week.

If you are ineligible for a Medicare rebate – check if you are covered for exercise physiologist group sessions on Private Health Insurance.

How to book into DARE?

You will need a medical clearance from your GP prior to attending this group:

1. Download the referral form:

• Adults with type 2 diabetes – please take this form to your GP
• Adults with type 1 diabetes or LADA or MODY or adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes - please take this form to your GP

2. Make an appointment with your General Practitioner.
a) For those living with type 2 diabetes you may need to book a double appointment to allow enough time to process the Medicare rebate.

3. Take the referral form to your GP appointment and discuss your participation in the program with your General Practitioner;

4. If your General Practitioner is happy to make the referral, please ask them to sign it and attach a copy of the relevant part of your care plan;

5. Once the referral form has been signed by your GP, call the Diabetes Victoria Clinic on 1300 153 123;
a) Advise the clinic that you have a signed referral for the group exercise program and would like to book an initial consultation;

7. Staff will book you in for your pre-group appointment at the Diabetes Victoria Clinic with our Accredited Exercise Physiologist

8. Bring your signed referral form and copy of the relevant part of your care plan to your initial consultation with your Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Please call 1300 153 123 or email – clinic@diabetesvic.org.au to find out more information.