Bath-based fitness subscription firm MoveGB has launched a platform with free live-streamed classes for members to keep fit at home during the coronavirus crisis.
At the same time, to help its thousands of self-employed fitness providers and independent venues, it has also set up a fund enabling members to continue to pay them – so giving them an income despite the lockdown. 
The twin approach from the firm, the UK’s largest fitness class provider, follows the introduction of the strict social distancing rules by the government that have closed all gyms and keep-fit classes across the country.
To help 250,000 members MoveGB has launched Move At Home – a platform offering live-streamed classes from its independent instructors and on-demand workouts from some of the world’s top trainers.
Existing MoveGB members will have free access to these as part of their membership package while new members will be able to access them for £1 a week along with on-demand workouts as well as pay-as-you-go live-streamed classes – some with free taster sessions.
To reflect its support for the NHS during the crisis, Move At Home will be free for all health service staff.
The service will support a number of Bath venues, with live-streamed classes such as restorative yoga from The Hive to help members practice mindfulness, and Kirtan classes from Ignite Therapies, which will introduce them to chanting to help relax and de-stress through vibrations.
Other mind and body classes range from power yoga, flow and meditation to pregnancy yoga and online mindfulness. 
MoveGB expects these to be popular as members seek a moment of calm and reflection while at home during the lockdown. More live stream classes will be added to the platform daily, the firm said.
Meanwhile, its Activity Provider Support Fund (#SupportOurIndies) will provide income to these independents, even when their classes are not running.
Its members will be able to opt in to ensure their fees go to the instructors they usually attend. Members who choose not to donate can roll-over any unused visits to future months.
MoveGB founder and CEO Alister Rollins said: “The clear advice coming from the government is that whilst we go into this challenging period, the public need to stay active and maintain healthy lifestyles despite spending a lot more time at home.
“This pandemic also puts an incredible pressure on independent fitness businesses, when their business models are entirely based on social interaction.
“I am very proud of our team and community. A true wartime spirit, working round the clock to launch Move At Home alongside our Activity Provider Support Fund to continue to support as many of our fitness instructors as possible.
“The team and many of our partners and members have banded together and worked incredibly hard to get these initiatives live as quickly as possible and will further expand on this work over the coming weeks.
“MoveGB was created to be a community-led business that would connect providers with users to encourage people to stay active for life. We will not let this pandemic stop our work to achieve this goal.”
Founded in 2013, MoveGB offers access to more than 6,000 activity locations, studios and gyms in 25 UK cities.
Last October it secured a multi-million pound innovation funding facility from Barclays Bank to continue its expansion. Its mission is to create the world’s largest active community, so helping people across globe lead fitter and healthier lifestyles.
