A national campaign aimed at helping people to stay active while staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic has been launched by Sport England.

The sporting body hopes that its “Join the Movement” campaign will inspire people to come up with creative ways to stay active during the lock down.

Sport England is encouraging the public to share their ideas using the hashtag #StayInWorkOut to encourage others to keep fit while staying home in accordance with government guidelines.

The campaign will have its own online hub that people can visit to access a range of home workouts. 

It will include existing free content and advice from organisations such as the NHS. Fitness coaches and influencers such as Les Mills on Demand, Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) and Fiit have also provided support.

The campaign will also encourage people to exercise near to where they live, in groups of no more than two or those they live with, as set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week.

Under the new guidelines, people may only leave home to exercise once a day, travel to and from work only where absolutely necessary and to shop, infrequently, for essential items and medicine.

Join the Movement will kick off with motivational imagery of people getting active and slogans such as “Join the family balancing act” and “No kit, no uniforms, no wrong moves.”  

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s CEO, said: “What matters more than anything right now is that people stay home, save lives and protect the NHS.  

“What that can’t and mustn’t mean is we stop being active, which we believe is now more important than ever.  It’s not just a means of maintaining physical health but also to support mental wellbeing and helping people to deal with the anxiety that this period will inevitably bring.  

“Despite this time of great uncertainty, we are already seeing people find fun and creative new ways to get moving and come together, even while staying apart.”

He added: “This campaign seeks to help bring together the best of that and encourages people to share what they are doing using #StayinWorkout.” 

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The mental and physical health benefits of exercise are more important than ever, so we must find new ways of keeping active whilst staying safe at home. 

“I welcome Sport England’s contribution here with fun and innovative ways to keep moving, whether that’s through online home workouts or making the most of the once-a-day outdoor exercise.” ​

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