Published on:
13
May 2020
Millions of people have been logging on to TV fitness guru Joe Wicks’ online sessions during lockdown.
And now Clackmannanshire’s very own fitness guru, Elsbeth Kirkpatrick has her own growing following of workout fans.
Elsbeth is fitness coach with the Sauchie Women and Girls programme (SWAG), a sportscotland funded project run by Clackmannanshire Council and Sauchie Community Group.
SWAG is keen to keep the community active during the lockdown and is delivering weekly fitness classes via Facebook Live.
Every Monday at 9.30am Elspeth delivers a fitness class live on the ‘Get Active Sauchie’ Facebook page. These sessions are free and open to anyone who would like to take part and don’t require any equipment other than things you would find around the house. So far, participants have used toilet rolls, towels, tins of beans and a mop to do their exercises. All exercises can be adapted, making it accessible for all levels and abilities.
Class participant Carol said: “We are all different fitness levels but as we are similar in ages with similar goals we help each other and motivate each other under the careful eye of Elspeth. During this lockdown the sessions have really come into their own and continued to motivate me and keep me mentally active as well. My fitness has definitely improved and I look forward to improving my 5k parkrun times.”
If you can’t make it on a Monday morning, the classes remain online for you to complete when and as often as you want. So far approximately 500 people have been viewing the videos weekly with around 20 individuals, both male and female, taking part in the Facebook Live sessions and posting a sweaty selfie after.
“I have really enjoyed the online class on a Monday morning with Elspeth. It gets the week off to a great start and it has been great to do the class at home with my wife. The classes are always at a suitable level for the both of us to take part in,” said participant George Furmage.
These sessions have had lots of positive feedback and are available for anyone who would like to get involved from the comfort of their home and are adapted to suit all ability levels.
“During lockdown I haven’t ventured out for a run but feel equally motivated by Elspeth and I keep up my exercise at home and in the garden. It’s so good having the circuit videos online which enables me to do them any time and as often as I want. Both groups certainly make me feel good and I so hope they’ll continue in the future after lockdown,” said participant Elizabeth.
Class participant June Stewart added: “I have been joining in with the live classes online and although they are excellent I'm still missing the friendly chat from others. I hope these classes continue and I hope to see everyone back in Sauchie all safe.”
Councillor Graham Lindsay, Convener of the Council’s People Committee, said: “We’ve all had to adapt during this pandemic and I’m delighted to hear about this positive change, with SWAG adapting to ensure that local people can easily continue to stay fit and active, which we all know is so important for mental as well as physical health.”
Keep your eye on some additional challenges and classes which will begin in the coming weeks. If you would like to get involved please like the ‘Get Active Sauchie’ Facebook page and click on the page at 9.30am every Monday to get involved.
Notes to Editor
Over the course of the year, prior to lockdown, SWAG has delivered 12 different classes in Sauchie targeting women and girls of all ages. The project has included activities in three local care homes, walking netball sessions, jogging groups and various fitness classes.