In lockdown Britain, 'Mancunian Motivator' brings fun and fitness to neighbours

In a suburban enclave on the northeastern fringes of London residents are having their heart rates - and their spirits - lifted by the “Mancunian Motivator.”

So popular have the street workout routines of Elyse Blemmings become in these times of enforced idleness that some of the neighbours are also meeting new friends amongst all the bending and stretching.

“It’s brought back, I suppose, what everyone’s feeling, a big sense of community spirit,” she told Reuters.

Blemmings, 31, was used to streaming her workout sessions online, but after neighbours spotted her doing her fitness routine in Chigwell, she decided to share her motivational talents closer to home.

Originally from the northern city of Manchester - hence the “Mancunian” name - Blemmings said that as well as the benefits of physical exercise, her sessions in the street helped to build social links in the community in a time of social distancing, and were bringing different generations together.

“They know they’re going to get their heart rate lifted, they’re going to have some endorphins and they’re going to go back in their house and say ‘I feel better today’ rather than just going through the same monotonous routine,” she said.

Britain has been under lockdown since March 23, and police have been given the power to enforce social distancing rules. On Thursday, the government extended those restrictions for another three weeks at least.

But for Blemmings’ neighbours in Chigwell, the fitness sessions have been an unexpected highlight of the lockdown.

“It’s just fun and one of the most important things is ... we’ve got to know neighbours that we don’t really know,” said Margaret Lakey, 79, who has lived on the street for 50 years but can no longer play bowls as usual.

“We’re waving, aren’t we, to neighbours we’ve never spoken to before.”

After starting out with two sessions last week, Blemmings said she wants to keep them up for as long as they are wanted.

Children as young as 5 took part in the session, with older neighbours joining in.

“It’s good for everyone’s spirits, old or young. We’re at the older age and the young ones are out as well,” Tony Aiken, 72, told Reuters.

Blemmings said that even once the restrictions are lifted, she hoped the community bonds formed in the exercise would remain.

“I think it’s going to be very hard to go back to absolutely normal when people have been outside doing jumping jacks in front of each other. Let’s be honest everyone looked ridiculous today,” she said.

“So if they go back to just ignoring each other, that’s just weird.”