With many gyms closed and others set to follow suit, a fitness instructor is set to launch online workouts sessions to help those in self-isolation battle the bulge from the comfort of their home.

Herne Bay businessman James Maybourn, who runs James Fitness in Canterbury Road, will start the classes next week as he bids to stay in the black during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 31-year-old is resigned to having to close the studio, which doubles as Bay Running Shop, in the near future and says a number of his members have already gone into self-isolation.

“We have people who are self-isolating because they don't want to make anyone else ill,” he explained.

“Because these people are at home and aren’t doing anything anyway, we can do a strength-based workout once or twice a day.

“Maintaining your health and fitness will definitely help with the virus.”

Mr Maybourn says the hour-long sessions delivered over Zoom will consist of a variety of exercises using resistance bands and items from around the home, including “bags filled with books”.

They will be open solely for James Fitness members, who will also be able to access a library of workout videos and nutrition seminars.

Mr Maybourn also says the classes will provide exercises that would not be done in the gym, such as yoga sessions.

He added: “I’m working on the lines that we are going to shut very soon, so we’re going to have to provide some value where possible to our members.

“We’ll close the shop when Boris makes us and the gym will close either when he tells us to or when it’s not safe to.

“With my shop, I’m doing everything I can; otherwise in this situation I’d definitely lose money and, knowing what retail’s like, people are going to struggle.”

The classes are expected to launch on Monday.

Mr Maybourn says he will also launch 30-day fitness and healthy-eating challenges online, which will be available to non-members for a fee.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Jamesfitnesspt/

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