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Joe Wicks’s PE sessions: Everything your child needs to work out and have fun in lockdown
Get your little ones exercising in style throughout lockdown
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Boris Johnson has announced that England will enter its third national lockdown in a bid to control the rapid spread of Covid-19.
Primary and secondary schools across the country will close for all but the most vulnerable children, and those cared for by key workers. The rest of the UK has introduced similar restrictions.
With these new rules set to be in place until at least mid February, one thing is clear: homeschooling is back. And thankfully, Joe Wicks’s hugely popular morning PE sessions will also return.
Wicks revealed on his Instagram that he’ll be doing three 9am classes a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) on his YouTube channel, starting 11 January. “This is so important for our children’s emotional and mental health,” he said. We couldn't agree more.
It’s the second time schools have been closed in less than a year, and carers have been asked to do their best to give their kids an all-round education at home if they possibly can.
We know from experience that it’s likely to involve some hairy moments of juggling everything at once. Thankfully, online resources like Wicks’s lessons (and plenty more) add a little fun and much-needed structure to the day.
If you know your child’s going to want to get involved with the Body Coach’s morning sessions, you might want to have a few items on hand. We’ve picked out some comfy clothes, shoes and a range of accessories. Ready for those star jumps?
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Comfy clothes
We know that Joe’s sessions will be starting fairy early but, in our experience, if the kids don’t get dressed first thing, they might not get dressed at all.
If they are going to be exercising at the start of the day, you might want to consider something like this two-piece sports set (£14.99, H&M) which is available for kids from two to eight years.
We’re fans of H&M’s kids' clothes: they’re a go-to and are reasonably priced too.
Cosy and comfy leggings are a good option for those days when your child’s doing a workout but it’s chilly outside.
These kids’ sweatpants (£28, Polarn O Pyret) are available for children aged six to 10 years, and the brand made it into our round-up of the best sustainable kids’ clothing labels.
The brand’s clothes are made from global organic textile standard (GOTS) cotton, which, as our reviewer explains, “ensures there’s minimum impact on the soil and better conditions for farmers”.
Footwear wise, these play knit trainers (£48, Bobux) are perfect for cushioning those star jumps.
They were featured in our round-up of the best kids’ trainers. “The heel counter is nicely padded, plus with tabs at the back and a good level of stretch, they’re easy to put on and take off. Also, because of the super breathable material, your little one doesn't need to wear socks – meaning one less thing to worry about, " said our reviewer.
Water bottles
Working out with the Body Coach can be thirsty work, so do make sure your child’s got some water close by.
To avoid spills in front of the TV, you might want to invest in a bottle. This Contigo autospout model (£17.99, Amazon) is designed to be leak proof.
Our reviewer of the best kids’ water bottles loved it, saying: “Ergonomically designed, simply press the button and the mouthpiece will fold out – our four-year-old tester found this rather entertaining in itself. This also means no pesky dirt or germs can get onto the mouthpiece.”
For an option that looks seriously sporty, this Nike water bottle (£17, Next) could be just what’s in order.
It’s probably best for older children, with our reviewer saying: “The straw can be conveniently opened with one hand, but those under the age of eight may find it a little tricky to do themselves. The mouthpiece makes for an enjoyable drinking experience and the detachable straw tip means it’s easy to clean. There were no leaks while using, and the whole bottle is dishwasher safe; a bonus.”
Post-exercise snacks
One thing lots of us remember from the last lockdown is that, when you’ve got a child at home all day, there’ll be a constant want for food. And if they’ve done a morning workout, you’ll definitely need some easy treats.
If you’re not able to go out food shopping reguarly, you might want to think of setting up a snack subscription box so you don’t get caught short.
This Treat Trunk box (£19.99, Treat Trunk) made it into our best healthy subscription boxes, and contains a variety of easy, quick and healthy food fixes.
Our reviewer said: “We really felt like we got our money's worth, with the likes of large sharer bags of Proper Chips and Doisy and Dam dark chocolate orange balls. Protein-packed snack bars kept hunger pains at bay and individual tea bags kept us hydrated. It’s like having an unlocked vending machine in your kitchen.”
Yoga mats
An exercise mat could be something you buy for you and your child to share, especially if you’ve got a slippy floor or don’t want to get trainer marks on the carpet.
This jute mat (£42, EcoYoga) is one of the less pricey options in our rundown of the best yoga mats, but is still hugely functional.
Our reviewer noted: “The most beautiful mat we tried, and one of our absolute favourites, these are designed and handmade in the UK by a small team dedicated to producing high-quality, environmentally friendly mats.
"The natural fibre hessian top looks beautiful – textured, like carpet – and the rubber underside is superbly sticky and stable.” Perfect for all that running on the spot with Mr Wicks.
If you’re looking for exercise ideas for yourself, be sure to check out our dedicated adult sports and fitness section