The closure of gyms across the UK last month due government guidelines around the coronavirus, has made a personal trainer from Birmingham find a new way to help her clients stay fit and donate to charity.
Sophie Barraclough, 26, is a a jack-of-all-trades: a fitness instructor, dance tutor and sport massage therapist.
She started offering fitness classes to her followers to help them avoid sedentary lifestyle during lockdown after her workplace, Pure Gym Arcadian, closed last month.
According to the UK Fitness Industry Report 2019 by Leisure DB, 1 in every 7 people in the UK was a member of a gym before the Covid-19 outbreak.
Sophie told Birmingham Eastside “I decided to train people online due to Covid-19 crisis and the lockdown of the country”
“I only take clients online due to this reason, usually I would not have my business online because I prefer to work face to face with my clients, other than through social media, promotion purposes”
The World Health Organisation even issued advice, saying that following online exercise classes can help to avoid the negative effects on the health such as stress during self-quarantine.
Sophie runs weekly classes, Monday to Friday, for any fitness level without the need to pay a fixed price per class, covering everything from stretching and relaxation, to upper and lower body workouts and cardio routines.
However, she asks her clients for a minimum £2.00 donation per class, to help to cover costs during the lockdown.
She said “My online classes are ‘pay as you feel’, as everyone’s financial situation is different during this time”
“I request donations simply to cover costs of running e.g. public liability insurance fees. Anyone can attend, modifications to exercises can be made if needed”
“I run the classes to keep people connected as well as for the fitness aspects”
Classes are small: with between 2 and 10 people taking part, and she updates the availability on Instagram .
Becky Xingyi, 24, is a loyal client: “Sophie used to be my personal trainer before Pure Gym Arcadian closed, however her online classes have helped me to feel like I am still training.”
Sophie says she intends to keep up her online fitness sessions, for as long as her clients want her.
