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Home Fitness, Positivity and Charity

Firstly, best wishes of health and harmony to everyone. Whilst the long-term picture for us all is uncertain, it has been uplifting to see the way so many are adapting and looking to find ways to motivate each other using the wonders of modern technology. This, of course, is true for those with an interest in fitness and staying fit and healthy, while respecting social distancing rules and staying at home.

There are those doing daily, live fitness classes following the lead of the brilliant Joe Wicks. Locally, I have seen many superb examples. Indeed, I applaud all people and businesses in the fitness industry of the Deepings who have stepped up to provide home fitness options for the people of our town and beyond.

I have decided to fill a different niche. I have filmed over twenty ‘home videos’ that I upload to a platform called ‘Vimeo.’ If you go into Vimeo and search for Matt Weston, I am the one

with the Empire Gym logo.

You will also find them uploaded to the Empire Gym Facebook page @officialempiregym.

Recording and uploading the videos means people can access them at any time and can revisit them as many times as they wish. They have so far had well over one thousand video views, and the feedback has been extremely positive. So, thank you!

The videos take two forms... either a structured ‘class style’ tutorial with me demonstrating all exercises and then completing the full programme myself for you to follow, or I occasionally set myself a workout challenge (like five hundred press-ups) that I do and film in time lapse in the hope that it will be an inspirational spark for people to try something for themselves.

I have brought no equipment home from the gym as I believe in us all being in the same boat. You will see from the videos how I simply fashioned some ‘home made dumbbells’ from tins of food from the cupboard.

And … I’ve even started road running (following social distancing rules)! It’s something I haven’t done since I was eighteen, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have posted some ‘mid-run’ ‘vlogs’ to the video library on the Vimeo page and they too have been well received. I have received messages from people telling me the video inspired them to pull on their trainers and do the same. This is the very essence of what Empire Gym stands for - reminding people that they are infinitely capable and that ‘You can’. All of the videos have one single purpose... to uplift and motivate. We are all adapting practically and mentally to this lockdown situation differently but, for example, to record a short video that shows me slightly out of breath but full of endorphin-fuelled happiness, hope and optimism, is to give people a glimpse of how good exercise can liberate our minds from places of gloom. Exercise is analogous for life at this time. Doing what we can, making positive movements, making progress and moving our bodies in order to shift our minds. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate what we can still do, in such hugely challenging circumstances, in order to be proud of ourselves. To have daily achievements, however small, is very important. May I say, of course though, that never do I take for granted my ability to exercise when so many are suffering. My heart is with everyone who, or whose family, has been affected by the virus and who can’t exercise at this time. team (from different locations), competing 1001 burpees! A big thank you to Pauline Davies, Chris Shingles, Kerry Chawko, Sophie Hogan and Ben Fallows. We raised £1,000 for NHS charities. Empire Gym has a long-standing and close relationship with Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, and they have recently launched an emergency appeal. We also have massive respect, admiration and gratitude for our NHS and care workers in all sectors at this time. So, we wanted to give something back as a business. We have pledged, therefore, to give one hundred free memberships to NHS and care workers when Empire re-opens, whenever that will be. These are totally free, twelve-month memberships that can be claimed by existing and/ or new members who work in the NHS and care sector. It is a thank you for their courage, dedication, brilliance and bravery in keeping us safe. We do, however, want you to do something in return.... we need you to raise £2,600 for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. In effect, every £26 donated gives a free membership to someone you may know, a family member or friend who is part of the NHS and care community. Why £2600? Well, it is linked to the national “2.6 Challenge” that has been seeing people find creative ways to raise money for charities in place of the postponed London Marathon. You can find the ‘Just Giving’ link on the Empire Facebook page and also shown here:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matt-weston6

My heart is with everyone who, or whose family, has been affected by the virus and who can’t exercise at this time.

CHARITY We have also taken the opportunity to use this time and the focus on home exercise to raise money for charity. A team representing Empire and I completed, and filmed ourselves as a

Stay motivated. Stay positive!

Matt x Much love to you all and your families. From me and my family.

In Support Of

114 Church Street, Market Deeping, PE6 8AL Email enquiries@empiregyms.com Phone 01778 344579

www.empiregyms.com