Almost ten months since they closed local leisure facilities for the coronavirus pandemic, Fusion Lifestyle has launched streamed fitness classes for Bedfordians to stay fit at home.
The platform will offer Fusion members mental wellbeing activities, nutrition guides and special offers from fitness providers including Les Mills, MyZone, Power Plate, Physical Company and Octane Fitness.
While the main areas of the platform will be for Fusion members only, they will also be posting videos to the classes on their YouTube channel which is accessible to all.
Fusion under pressure
Fusion Lifestyle has come under increasing criticism for their management of the eight publically owned leisure facilities in Bedford they look after.
Cllr Doug McMurdo, who oversees leisure and culture across Bedford Borough, says the relationship with Fusion has been “tense over time”.
Read: “It’s been tense” talks with Fusion over Borough’s leisure centres continue
Bedford’s Mayor has also explained the complexity of the contract with Fusion and how, despite there being a discussion about the quality of service earlier this year, improvements were being made.
Read: Exclusive: Bedford Mayor breaks silence over Fusion funding
Sadly, the improvements were delayed due to the first lockdown and since then almost all leisure facilities run by Fusion have been dormant for almost ten months.
New online classes to help people stay fit
The announcement comes after private leisure facilities like Towers Health & Racquets Club launched free online classes.
Read: Keeping Bedfordians active and healthy during lockdown 2.0
Bedford Borough Council’s own Sports Development Team has also been offering online classes since April.
Now, a timetable of free online fitness classes from Fusion, promising “something for everyone”, has been announced.
Classes range from HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and Freestyle Combat through to the accessible Mature Stretch and Yoga for All to improve fitness.
Whereas a Gentle Postural Fitness class aims to help those who are working from home, bent over their laptops on their kitchen table.
Movement4Life, suitable for GP referral patients, will also be available allowing them to work on their wellbeing while they’re at home.
“There has never been a more important time to look after the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Anthony Cawley, Director of Operations at Fusion Lifestyle.
“We want to make sure our members and local residents have the opportunity to benefit from our expert-led classes while our centres are closed.”
You can view the timetable at fusionathome.co.uk or subscribe and stream the free classes via Fusion Lifestyle’s YouTube page.
What do you think about the classes? Is this too little too late or just in time? Do you think Fusion are doing the best they can or should they try harder? Let us know – letters@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.