Expert advice on how to stay fit during the lockdown

Michael Morgan, freelance personal trainer and group fitness instructor, shares tips on how to stay active
The at-home online fitness offering is thriving
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What exercise am I allowed to do now?

“You can go outside more than once a day and take part in a wider variety of activities, such as golf and tennis. You can also, of course, exercise indoors —one of the few positives about the lockdown has been the abundance of material now available online.”

What are the rules?

“We can now play golf, tennis and outdoor sports, but you still need to follow government guidance. You can either play with one person from a different household, or with your household members. So stick to singles with your neighbour or friend but you can play doubles with your family. You have to stick to the two-metre rule if you’re playing with one person from a different household. Personal trainers are now allowed to start working with clients, but they can only train one client at a time, two metres apart and in an open space. Football clubs could be allowed to open on a smaller scale in July but contact sports will take longer.”

When will gyms open?

“Gyms are working closely with industry association Active UK and the Government to monitor the situation. There is some suggestion gyms could open for personal training sessions or very reduced classes where social distancing can be implemented as early as July. They would have strict hygiene levels, a one-way entry system and changing rooms would be closed.”

Why is it important to do exercise in lockdown?

“Physical activity can improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes. It can increase your energy levels, reduce anxiety and help with relaxation and sleep quality.”

What can I do?

“The easiest form of exercise is walking — getting out of the house, moving and breathing fresh air will increase your heart rate, get your blood flowing and endorphins pumping. Add hills into your walks to make them more challenging. Running or cycling will allow you to push yourself further. There’s also work-outs at home. Thousands tune in daily to Joe Wicks’s online PE lessons. He doesn’t use equipment, such as weights, which have become hard to find since lockdown.”

From Michael Morgan, freelance personal trainer and group fitness instructor, as told to Lizzie Edmonds

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