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. <br/> Wicks's programme is a high-intensity workout and often it's the parents who feel the pain more than their children.<br/> "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.
