It’s amazing how much fun you can have with a couple of tins and a towel!
These common household items can also help you get fit during the lockdown if you take part in the weekly Move And Chat sessions, writes regular participant John Quinn.
Sheffield Cycling 4 All, a project run by Disability Sheffield and set up to encourage people with various impairments to get on their bikes and do some exercise, was forced to cancel its events in Hillsborough Park – which include four regular sessions a week, a bi-monthly weekend family session and its four new specialist group sessions – due to the Coronavirus crisis.
But undeterred, those in charge decided to set up an indoor internet group while lockdown lasts where participants can do a range of exercises. All you need are props provided by common household items such as the cans to act as weights and the towel for stretching. Starting at 11am each Wednesday Move and Chat also acts as a get-together, with an option to have a talk about life in general afterwards.
The session takes place on Zoom, a free live streaming website and are hosted by Joe Edmonds, who has been a personal trainer for the last six years after 14 years as a youth worker. Although based in Exeter, Devon, Joe was contacted by Sheffield Cycling 4 All’s Rosemary Hill, who had heard rave reviews of his teaching style from a mutual friend.
Joe explains: “When lockdown hit, I had to change the way I supported people through exercise and so set up weekly group sessions via Zoom. Rosemary contacted me to see if I would be interested in leading the Move and Chat sessions for Sheffield Cycling 4 All remotely.”
Joe jumped at the chance and now looks forward to his weekly 45-minute online meeting with members of Sheffield’s disability community, where he takes us through a brisk set of exercises designed to suit people with different ranges of mobility.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to lead the sessions and meet a great group of people,’’ he said. “I love the energy that each group member brings to the session and it never fails to amaze me just how much energy you can feel from people even when we are locked away in our own houses and only communicating through a screen. ‘’
Recent sessions have seen around a dozen people ( including me ! )taking part but anyone else who wants to tone up their bodies for the return to outside life is welcome. Paul Sumner, a volunteer with SC4A, said: “I have been moving a little during lockdown but Joe encourages me to move a lot more, which has been great. It’s been good to be part of this group again too.”
If you would like to take part you can email info@sheffieldcycling4all.org or call Tom Collister, Sheffield Cycling 4 All project Co-ordinator on 07922183338. You will have to fill in a short health check form first then you will be given a Zoom ID and password so you can join the sessions.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Cycling 4 All has started offering a limited service which you can find out about on their website or by using the above contact details.
