As the second week of lockdown draws to a close, Recruiter spoke to agency leaders to find out how they are ‘getting physical’ (ask your Mum) in lockdown.

Ricky Martin (pictured with son Alexander), managing director at Hyper Recruitment Solutions, told Recruiter he’s managed to maintain his fitness regime since lockdown. 

“Whereas before I may have got to do most of it at the gym, I have been able to adapt to a home workout and lunchtime run routine, which is keeping me as active as ever. The reality of not being around as many people as I do it is apparent, which does make it less enjoyable, however, like most recruiters, the inner competitor always prevails and this has not held me back. 

“The only interesting factor is my 16-month-old son Alexander does keep trying to join the workout class. If anything, it has supported educating a future England football player on what exercise is so he can achieve the ambition his dad has for him sooner!”

Olivia Spruce, CEO, Positive Healthcare, told Recruiter her team’s exercises range from daily jogs, skipping, Joe Wicks PE class, gymnastics and WiiFit. 

“The prospect of managing a recruitment team working from home was challenging. But on the whole, the team has adapted well and business is strong. There is always room for a cheeky Friday afternoon Zoom karaoke session!”

For Bev White, CEO, Harvey Nash, walking the dogs has been raising her heart rate: “Occasional bursts of music during the day accompanied by jumping around (I like to imagine I am dancing!). I use the breathe app on my Apple Watch to take my mind to a quiet place for a few moments several times in the day.
 
“I am keeping to my routine – my dogs would never allow a missed walk! Also, I feel so much better when I have had some fresh air.”

Fellow dog walker, Mary Cox, MD at gotpeople, told Recruiter: “Every day I manage a lunchtime dog walk around the canal and woodland just beside my home, so keeping fit is kind of at an acceptable level.”

Francesca Halewood, business manager, Smart Moves Recruitment, told Recruiter she’s finding it really hard as she’s missing the gym but has been sticking to an hour’s workout a day.

Meanwhile David Taylor, MD, First Point Group, has swapped swimming for football.

“I am a swimmer – so that is right out of the window at the moment. Instead I have been playing football with my son for about 2 hours a day. It’s definitely not the same, fat-fighting wise, but it is some good quality family time. The temptation is 100% to do nothing, but I get on the scales every day so I know where I am – it’s me versus a nightly lockdown tipple!”

Rupert Gaster, founder and MD of Procurement Heads, said: "An increase in exercise is one of the positives of the lockdown. Without the time burden of the commute, it has become more accessible and I've managed to do a hard session every two days as a result.

"It helps that I now share my office with my bike!"

Lisa Greenhalgh, director at Finlay Jude Associates, revealed her team started out with good intentions but the temptation to snack is real.

“Our planned daily jogs and yoga sessions started off well, with some of the team doing morning workouts with their children (and the lovely Joe Wicks, of course) using their exercise bike and weights and as dog owners, our daily walks keep us all active.

“Working from home, the temptation to snack all day is definitely real, however, we have as a team, been offering daily words of encouragement like ‘Stay away from the fridge!’. I myself have pinned an A4 sheet in mine saying ‘Don’t Do It!’.
 
“We are motivating each other every day to keep it up as it is easy to fall into bad habits, and we are all hoping we will be super fit and healthy when we eventually get back to the office!”

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