Join the Movement

26 Mar 2020 12:10 PM

Our new campaign launches today giving people ideas about how to be physically active while still following the government advice on staying at home and social distancing.

We’re inviting everyone to ‘Join the Movement’ and get or keep active with the help of our new campaign that launches today.

Using #StayInWorkOut on social media, the Join the Movement campaign is designed to provide inspiration and trusted information to the public about how to get active in and around the home during the coronavirus pandemic.

With restrictions in place on why and how often you can leave the house, many normal exercise sources aren’t currently available.

Recognising the importance of maintaining good levels of physical activity at this time, we’ve created Join the Movement – funded by The National Lottery.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive 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’re already seeing people find fun and creative new ways to get moving and come together, even while staying apart.

“This campaign seeks to help bring together the best of that and encourages people to share what they're doing using #StayInWorkOut.”

The hashtag will showcase some of the best online sport and physical activity content for use in and around your home, as well as allowing people to share their own ideas.

Join the Movement also has its own online hub, giving access to a range of home workout options – including existing free exercise content and advice from organisations such as the NHS.

Added to that are workouts from popular fitness brands and influencers such as Les Mills on Demand, The Body Coach (Joe Wicks) and FiiT – many of whom are offering extended free trials to help people get active at home.

Supporters of Join the Movement include London 2012 Olympic long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford, as well as England Lionesses Rachel Daly and Milly Bright, and Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer.

The campaign is also backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and culture secretary Oliver Dowden was pleased to see Join the Movement take shape.

Once a day

All outdoor exercise should be done in accordance with the government's guidelines allowing one outing for physical activity a day - either alone or with members of your household

He 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.”

We want people to not only stay active at this challenging time but to share images of the creative ways they’re taking part – many of which will be chosen and used in campaign advertising over the coming weeks.

In addition to this, the campaign will be supported by paid media – social and digital advertising – and will be aimed at a broad, national audience of all ages, with online content also supporting people who want to get active with their children, the over 70s and disabled people or those with long term health conditions.