Health

Joe Wicks eyes morning workouts for kids beyond the coronavirus lockdown

He’s stepped up to become the nation’s PE teacher, but when the schools return our cover star wants teachers to take up the mantle

Joe Wicks

Joe Wicks has stepped up to become the nation’s PE teacher at the time when parents needed him most – and he believes he has ushered in a revolution that will continue beyond lockdown.

The Body Coach has reeled in millions of kids and parents alike to join him in his energetic half-hour workouts on YouTube at 9am every weekday.

And while parents might be looking forward to the kids going back to school so youngsters don’t miss out on learning – and the adults get a breather too – Wicks wants what he has started to become something that teachers take on post-lockdown.

He even plans to create a library of content to help them get off the mark.

He tells The Big Issue in this week’s magazine: “That’s my aim. I think that teachers in schools who have been doing it, they’re gonna be like, ‘This was great. I miss that workout, I miss that energy we had, seeing kids with a smile on their face and being more focused afterwards.’

“Change can be implemented by the teachers themselves. It doesn’t need government legislation or big bills to be passed, what you really need is just one teacher in every school who champions it. They’ll see the benefit. And they’ll tell the school next door, ‘This is what we’re doing, it’s amazing, give it a go.’”

To read more from Wicks and to support Big Issue vendors while they are unable to sell the magazine on the streets, buy this week’s magazine, available now from The Big Issue Shop. Or to get the latest issue delivered straight to your door or device, head to bigissue.com/subscribe. And now The Big Issue is also available in shops for the first time, pick a copy up in Sainsbury’s, McColl’s or Co-op.

As ever, 50 per cent of the cover price will go to supporting Big Issue vendors.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
'Enormous' number of privatised NHS services across the UK, mapped: 'This is bad for everyone'
Healthcare

'Enormous' number of privatised NHS services across the UK, mapped: 'This is bad for everyone'

'Fund the NHS properly': Private sector is not the answer, Wes Streeting told, amid funding row
Health

'Fund the NHS properly': Private sector is not the answer, Wes Streeting told, amid funding row

'With poor sight you can feel intensely vulnerable'
Inside a Specsavers store, a man is selecting glasses from a display rack, assisted by a female store employee. They are both focused on choosing the right pair of frames from a wall of options, under a sign that says 'Men'.
Sponsored Post

'With poor sight you can feel intensely vulnerable'

'Gin, pliers and brute force:' Dentists accuse Rishi Sunak of forcing Brits to pull their own teeth
Dental crisis

'Gin, pliers and brute force:' Dentists accuse Rishi Sunak of forcing Brits to pull their own teeth

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know