The Manchester doctor and personal trainer hosting free online workouts to boost your mental health

Moving your body isn’t just good for your physical health, it has so many mental benefits too – something that Manchester doctor Jessicarr Moorhouse knows all about.

Her fitness and wellness brand TRIBE.MCR encourages you to not just make the most out of your workout but to have fun whilst you’re at it, putting just as much focus on the mental benefits gained as the physical ones.

A personal trainer with a background in physiotherapy, Dr. Jessicarr typically leads weekly group training sessions herself outdoors at Didsbury’s Marie Louise Gardens and at Sadler’s Yard in the city centre.

But amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, she has made the decision to move her sessions online to protect her clients, herself, and to ensure the safety of the unwell patients she is in contact with as a doctor.

She is also making them completely free so that anyone who wants to can join in from home can, as moving for your mental health is probably more important now than ever as people face long periods of self-isolation.

“I’m going to do it with everyone, if anyone joins, because it’s affecting me just as much as anyone else,” she tells us.

“I think the live feed will hopefully feel like it’s more connected […] most of it will be my clients so they’re up for a laugh either at me or with me.”

Workouts will be tailored to suit all abilities and you won’t need lots of equipment or to have loads of space, “a small living room would be appropriate.”

Focusing on bodywork exercises that don’t require the use of any weights, she tells us she’s planning to include things like ‘fun’ core work, push-ups, and squat jumps, adding – “it’s not going to be loads of bounding around stuff as that can be a bit tricky.

“I’ll give multiple options for each exercise, for people who want a Barry’s boot camp level workout it’s not going to be that intense but in the interest of the wider good I’m going to make it more accessible and just fun as well,” she tells us.

She’s hoping to introduce partner work opportunities to the workouts, too, but mentions she hasn’t yet managed to summon a volunteer, so a chair or sofa is likely going to be on the cards to act as a partner tonight.

The first session starts tonight on Facebook Live at 6.30pm with a quick pre-workout chat scheduled for 6.25pm. It’s open to everyone, and children can get involved too.

Those taking part will need to wear comfortable clothing and can opt for shoes or no shoes, depending on their own preference. Interaction in the comments or with selfies is also welcomed on tonight’s stream.

Dr. Jessicarr is also considering doing some live Q&As about fitness, tips for workouts at home and around mental health going forward depending on how the interaction goes.

If you’re scared of the gym and feel intimidated by going to classes, this is a perfect opportunity to start working on your fitness in a way you feel comfortable.

Head over to the TRIBE.MCR Facebook page from 6.25pm tonight to take part, and take comfort in the fact no one will be judging your red face if you take a break halfway through.

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