Tens of thousands of locked-down Britons have enjoyed their first fix of the fitness guru Joe Wicks’s new exercise programme.
More than 120,000 were up, awake and online for their 9am GMT workout with Wicks, aka the Body Coach.
Kicks, punches and stretches, all to the beat of Wicks’s enthusiasm and infectious personality became a staple of life in lockdown for Britain during the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020.
Filmed at Wicks’s home and broadcast on YouTube, the programme is aimed at children but tests adults’ fitness as well. It is drawing an average of 1.7 million viewers a week.
Wicks kicked off his latest version on Monday with schools having made the programme a fun start the day.
I’ve just finished @thebodycoach PE workout that I set for my class to do. It was tough, but I’m glad I did it. Did anybody else from @maindeeprimary join in?💪🏻🙌🏻🏃🏻♀️#PEwithJoe pic.twitter.com/lXkpmrliOo
— Mrs Chorley (@mrskchorley) January 11, 2021
At Parkwood Primary, near Bradford in northern England, pupils enjoyed a “super start” to their day by joining the Body Coach for an exercise session.
@ParkwoodSch well done Key Stage 2, super start to the day with @thebodycoach . pic.twitter.com/sUFsynOBm1
— Parkwood Primary School Keighley (@ParkwoodSch) January 11, 2021
Wicks's programme is a high-intensity workout and often it's the parents who feel the pain more than their children.
"Thank you Joe," was the message from John Hibbs and his two children.
Thank you Joe @thebodycoach.
— John Hibbs (@hibbsy) January 11, 2021
Xanthe (7) and Connie (4) from @StPeters_tweets smashing their workout today 💪🏼💪🏼 #PEwithjoe pic.twitter.com/0n6FwB2rQE
Red faced and sweaty but feeling great! @latimerprimary what a fab way to start our school day! Thank you Joe @thebodycoach it's great to be back!! #buzzing #fitness #homeschooling #latimerfamily #classps pic.twitter.com/PEd7LuBXQc
— Marie Collins (@reepops79) January 11, 2021
“Red faced and sweaty but feeling great!” was the verdict after the session from one mother and daughter.
Jaden, from Loose primary school in Maidstone, southern England also enjoyed a lively start to the day.
@LoosePrimary Jaden from Amber class starting his day with @thebodycoach before he starts his school work 💪 pic.twitter.com/mt4vjHnvRz
— Emma Shepherd (@shepherd_em) January 11, 2021
However, morning workouts are not for everyone and sometimes it is best to rest.
Not sure my nephew has quite got to grasps with these morning work outs with @thebodycoach pic.twitter.com/nZdy0FO0Of
— Burton (@BurtsyWurtsy) January 11, 2021
Wicks started out as a personal trainer in a boot camp in Richmond Park, west London and he has been a Children in Need ambassador for about 10 years.
Before lockdown in 2020, his fitness videos were already online but attracted only modest numbers.
Now, thanks to his popular classes and 90-day online fitness plan, he received an award in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
