A leading sports facility has moved its exercise class timetable online and made it free for all regardless of whether or not they are members to keep everyone active and healthy during the lockdown.
Group Exercise and Gym Instructors who usually host classes at the University of Warwick’s Sports and Wellness Hub are now delivering a range of virtual and live streaming sessions on Facebook as well as providing advice and activities for every level and age group.
The Sports and Wellness Hub, which is on campus at the University, temporarily closed its doors two weeks ago following the latest government guidance for gyms.
A weekly online timetable has now been set-up to keep people active, with classes ranging from Yoga and Pilates, to Circuits and HIIT.
The classes on the timetable cater to all abilities from novices to fitness class regulars.
Fitness fanatics can head to the Warwick Sport Facebook page to enjoy all of the past classes which will remain online – creating a fitness class on-demand service.
Classes hosted so far are reaching from 3,500 to 8,000 viewers, with many watching the sessions on catch-up later in the day.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Director of Sport & Active Communities at the University of Warwick, said: “ We were really well prepared as we knew at some point we would have to close our facilities temporarily so we planned ahead to enable to hit the ground running.
“We had a fantastic response from our instructors and we were able to get the timetable started online.
“We wanted to make sure that the virtual timetable maintained the same quality as the sessions at the Hub and it has been really well received so far.
“The sessions have been made accessible for all because now, more than ever, it’s important that everyone stays fit, active and healthy.
“It’s all geared around home workouts and what classes can be delivered without much equipment.
“Our timetable is always evolving and we will be looking to expand the schedule as we continue to develop the virtual offer.”
The team from the Sports and Wellness Hub are also regularly posting fitness challenges on Instagram for people to complete at home.
There are also regular blog posts on the Warwick Sport website with expert workout and wellbeing advice and information to help people who might be new to exercising at home.
Kieran Dayaram, Health and Fitness Manager at Warwick Sport, added: “We’re encouraging everyone who tunes in to a session to provide their feedback to help us develop the schedule.
“Find a space to workout away from where you are working from home, so you are physically and mentally switching up.
“Make sure to have water nearby, turn your music up, and let the instructor know how the class was at the end.”
To view the timetable of virtual classes and access the other wide range of resources to help keep active at home visit www.warwick.ac.uk/sport