Couch to 5k is runaway hit among fitness fans
ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS FOR NHS-BACKED APP DURING LOCKDOWN IN UK
FITNESS experts have stressed the importance of exercise to aid mental and physical wellbeing during lockdown, as new data showed almost one million people downloaded an NHS-backed fitness app in recent months.
According to NHS England last week, figures showed a 92 per cent increase of people downloading the app Couch to 5k from last year. From March (when lockdown was implemented in the UK) until the end of June, there were almost one million downloads.
Designed by Public Health England, the fitness tool helps to create a running plan for beginners. It provides guided commentary from a coach and supports users to track progress.
Manisha Tailor MBE, lead foundation phase at Queens Park Rangers’ academy in London, spoke to Eastern Eye on the benefits that physical activity can have during the lockdown period. “The pressures of this uncertain time – such as working from home, being on furlough, suffering a bereavement or doing home-schooling, to name but a few, are causing a considerable amount of stress and anxiety,” Tailor noted.
“Physical activity can have a positive impact on emotional and mental health and can act as a stress-relief, which is why it is important to find ways in which people can remain active.”
Trishan Patel, football coach and assistant manager at Berkhamsted FC, shared similar sentiments. He believes it is important to stay active as it can be used as an opportunity to “zone out from the pressure of everyday life”
“Taking time out for yourself to go for a walk, run or workout really does improve your well being,” he told Eastern Eye, noting activity had helped to improve his sleeping routine.
On the popularity of the app, Patel said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the increase in users. He said he hoped it had encouraged people to take more care of their physical and mental health. “It has been a challenging time for us all and for me, working out helps reduce stress and makes me feel really good about myself,” he said.
Admitting he struggled at the start of lockdown, Patel was inspired to work out by his friends. “They seemed full of energy for the day, whereas I was in an unhealthy routine stuck indoors for long periods,” he said. Now, he aims to do four or five hit sessions a week and runs 10K on a Sunday.
“I choose some of my favourite music for a playlist and get to work,” he added.
Tailor has also tried to ensure she has stayed fit during the lockdown period. She goes on a daily 20 minute jog and exercises at home using fitness gear such as resistance bands, a football and a sense-ball.
Dr Nikki Kanani, NHS national director for primary care, has also been making time to exercise during lockdown and has been running 5K regularly with her two children. She claimed taking time to exercise with her children had been important to her during lockdown, claiming they had seen huge benefits for their physical and mental wellbeing.
On the increase of Couch to 5k users, Dr Kanani said: “It is incredible to see that practical tools like Couch to 5k have become even more popular over the last three months – keep going if you’ve started and download the app if you want to increase your activity levels. It won’t be the right solution for everyone, but it’s a simple way to begin and small steps can make a massive difference to your health and your lifestyle.”
Meanwhile, Sport England has launched a new project to address the impact of Covid-19 on physical activity levels for ethnic minority groups. The project, expected to provide encouragement and advice to support new exercise habits, comes after new data revealed less than a quarter of adults that identify as Black were meeting recommended activity levels in April.
Chris Perks, executive director of Local Delivery, Sport England, said: “We want to work together to help reduce the inequalities we know exist and this timely investment aligns with our ambition to improve the opportunities to help empower BAME communities to be active – and Sport England are delighted to support this key investment.”