Inventive staff and students of Victoria University have started using chairs and books as make-shift gym equipment, during free virtual group workouts offered by VU Sport.
With the VU fitness centres forced to close to the public due to the coronavirus, staff and students have launched the online workout sessions.
Every weekday at noon, dozens of people – some accompanied by their children – join in the 40-minute virtual workouts, which are run through Zoom.
The participants can all see each other on screen, and even send questions to their instructor.
Team trainer Brooke Olsen runs sessions from her Werribee garage, which she has set up as a gym.
She focuses on a different theme every day including cardio, upper body, legs and posterior chain.
“We wanted to offer a service that would keep the VU community happy and positive while providing them with a healthy and fun way to connect to others,” Ms Olsen said.
Within less than a week, 135 people registered for the virtual workout sessions, which will continue until VU’s sport centres can re-open.
“The feedback has been great – we’re considering offering more sessions at different times if the interest keeps building,” Ms Olsen said.
She is also recording the sessions and creating other videos on crucial activities such as desk stretch routines for people who cannot join in during the day.
“This is hard for everyone, especially for people who regularly use the gym,” she said.
“We want to produce content that you can do anytime from any place and make sure people look after themselves.”
Look under the news section of the VU website to find out how to access the sessions: www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/news-events/news
