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.
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.
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.
“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.
However, morning workouts are not for everyone and sometimes it is best to rest.
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.
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Four-year-old Lois Copley-Jones takes part in a live streamed broadcast of PE with Joe. Gareth Copley/Getty Images -
Ben and Isaac Rickett follow PE with Joe. Martin Rickett/PA via AP -
Wicks is donating all the money from video revenues to the NHS. Getty Images -
His first week of videos were viewed more than 17 million times. Getty Images -
Wicks, aka The Body Coach, teaches schoolchildren around the world physical education via live YouTube videos. Getty Images -
Joe Wicks brought his schools tour to Dubai last year. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Joe Wicks with daughter Indie as he attempts a Guinness World Record for the largest HIIT class in Dubai in October 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
