Kent athletes have backed a campaign to encourage the public to exercise at home during lockdown.

Paralympic table tennis star Ross Wilson and race walker Tom Bosworth are among the 22 elite athletes to have taken part in #22for22, a video series run by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Team England. Former Holcombe hockey player Sam Ward has also been involved.

The athletes from different Commonwealth sports are demonstrating simple exercises which can be done at home.

Commonwealth champion Wilson, from Minster, was tasked with performing an exercise linked to his sport that a member of the public might be able to replicate at home. In his video, he demonstrates some stretching exercises including a hip flexor stretch which can be done using a chair or the sofa.

Viewers can get involved by trying the exercises and are encouraged to film and upload their efforts to social media.

At the age of 17, Wilson was the youngest member of the ParalympicsGB team at the London 2012 Paralympics where he won a team bronze medal and in 2018, he won the TT6-10 Para table tennis title at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games before becoming men’s class eight world champion later that year.

Commenting on his involvement in #22for22, Wilson said: “We all know how important it is to keep our bodies and minds as healthy as we can right now but being stuck at home can be challenging.

“Even just a small dose of exercise every day will not only keep you fit, but it will leave you feeling energised and will do wonders for your mental health too.

“I hope that people see our #22for22 videos and feel inspired to move their bodies. Workouts don’t need to be complicated, it’s often the simplest exercises that are the best for us.”

Kent’s commonwealth medallist racewalker Tom Bosworth also featured, showing how a simple plank work exercise can help with core strength.

The long-distance walker from Sevenoaks demonstrates the ‘superman plank’ in the video he produced for the campaign.

Ian Reid, chief executive of Birmingham 2022, said: “Stepping outside for our daily exercise is so important right now, but there are certain scenarios when this might not possible.

“Perhaps you’re having to self-isolate, or even the mid-winter weather stops you from getting out, so it’s just as important that we remember to stay active while we stay at home too.

“Who better to get inspiration from than a Team England athlete? I’d encourage people from all ages and abilities to give these exercises a go.”

Minister for Sport Nigel Huddleston added: “Staying active is so important right now. It is fantastic that Birmingham 2022 and Team England have come together to help keep us moving. I hope they will inspire people across the country to get their daily exercise.”

You can find all of the exercises on the Birmingham 2022 website

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