Hospital patients in Wales are 'being offered intensive workout programmes' to improve their fitness ahead of major operations, according to a recent BBC article.  The aim is to improve recovery times and reduce post-surgery complications. Since being set up, more than 200 patients have participated in prehab, and the number of complications following major surgery has halved. According to the article, patients leave the hospital on average two and a half days sooner, with a reduction in readmissions.  Patients visit a gym three times a week one month before their operation. A dietician and physio also support them.  Several of those interviewed in the BBC article detail the benefits of exercising before major surgery. One lady said it helped her build physical and mental strength. Boosting mental health, especially before significant life events, can be crucial in helping people handle difficult situations more effectively.  Around 78% of members said they used gyms to improve their mental health. Exercise can help prevent and treat depression and anxiety.  Another patient told the BBC he was still using several tips he'd learned while using the pre-hab programme. He said how helpful it was to exercise alongside others experiencing health issues. On top of this, he was out of hospital and back to work much faster than he'd expected.  The prehabilitation programme is a win-win for individual patients and the NHS, demonstrating the potential for cost-effective, patient-centred care that can alleviate the strain on hospital resources. There's a lot of scope for the fitness industry and health service to work together, so it’s great to see patients benefiting from physical exercise before and after major surgery.  You can read the BBC article hereÂ