Fitness guru Mr Motivator to host live workouts for care home residents in Essex

Mr Motivator, famous for his TV lycra-clad workouts, will be hosting a live exercise session for more than 70 care homes across Essex in a drive to help residents and staff become “healthier and more active”.

The workout will be held on 23 April at 10.30 am and will be streamed directly into the communal rooms of care homes via Zoom.

The session has been organised in association with Colchester Council, the Essex FaNs Network and Mr Motivator’s new online club, which has been specially designed for the older person.

This is a test pilot event and, if successful, will be rolled out to other care homes all over the country.

Mr Motivator aka Derrick Evans (68) said: “There isn’t anything available for the over 65s or people starting out their fitness journey who do not want to go to a gym or spend 30 minutes doing press-ups and burpees.

“The club makes mental and physical exercise fun and accessible to everyone from three to 93 with my six-minute modules.”

Mr Motivator rose to fame in 1993 through appearances on the UK breakfast television show GMTV, where he performed live fitness sessions and offered tips and advice to viewers. In response to the popularity of his fitness sessions, he released a number of fitness and workout videos in the 1990s.

In May 2020, Mr motivator launched a seven-day event where all proceeds went to Age UK's £10 million Emergency Coronavirus Appeal.

The fundraiser was broadcast every day Ideal World and the 15-minute workouts, devised by Mr Motivator were specially designed for older people.

Lucie Breadman, Colchester Council assistant director for communities, said: “We are really excited to have Mr Motivator encourage and entertain our care home residents in Colchester and across the county, helping our community become healthier and more active.”

Mr Motivator’s new online club is aimed to give older people mental fitness and provides an online community to help battle loneliness.

The Motivation Club’s concept, exercise and sensible eating plans have been developed and endorsed by Dr Kathy Fulcher, Ireland’s leading exercise physiologist and nutritionist.

Mr Motivator said: “Your well-being is a way of life. The most important thing you can have is an independent, healthier you. You must not underestimate the impact that exercise can have on your mental and physical well-being.

"There is a curative power to exercise and those who are least active stand to benefit the most from their health and happiness.”

If you are a care home based in the Essex area and would like to register your interest in the event, email tony@fansnetwork.org