Friendship borne of pandemic workouts

The Covid-19 Pandemic has awakened the need for fitness groups across the country. As many revive their fitness dreams, Morning Fitness Club, an established group in Phase 13, Thika has been thriving despite the pandemic.

INCEPTION

We started back in 2015 with an immediate neighbour, who later moved house. We would jog from 5am in the morning from the estate up to Ananas mall. On the first day, I had to pay 10 bob in a matatu to make it back,” shares Kennedy Lumbasi, a business man, group trainer and also one of the pioneer members of the group.

Despite the first run being challenging, the friends did not give up.

“We continued with the runs and with time decided to add some exercises. I would share posts on social media and when people realised what we were doing, more joined in,” he adds.

Agnes Kanyiri shares her earlier experience in the group.

“No one believes me when I tell them that I lost more than 25kgs from doing morning runs. When I learnt there was a fitness group around the estate, I decided to join it as I had gained too much weight. I used to wake up early and by 5 am I would be ready to go. Sometimes I would find some people had not turned up, but I knew what I wanted. We would go for the normal routine and would do a few exercises before jogging back. I was about 90kg and now am 65kg,” she says.

EVOLUTION

“As the group grew, we realised the distance was too short. We also opted to change the route due to traffic. On weekdays we go from the estate, down to the British American Tobacco Company, we divert  go  past Broadways, Chania Gardens, Kiboko estate, UTI,  Engen and then back to the estate. This is roughly 12 km,” shares Lumbasi.

“Mid 2018, I met Mr. Thuo, a 66-year-old man around Cravers hotel. We had been seeing him on our way back from our runs, so one day when we got late, we met him at BAT. This man challenged us.  He had been running all the way from Cravers, to Delmonte Shop through part of our route and back through Blue Post hotel route. I told the other guys I would try running with him. The distance is around 27 km. After doing it several times, the group joined me and now we do it every weekend,” he further explains.

Anthony Wanjohi, a 34-year-old online business consultant, also a member of the group since 2017 understands the benefits of the fitness group.

“My online work entails sitting for long hours at a time. I joined the group at a point when I was overweight and have shed off some weight. It also helps me with socialising. I spend long periods of time working alone. That interaction is good for my well being,” he shares.

“I have witnessed a few friends getting serious injuries because they’re not fit. A slight injury like a dislocation, or fall down the stairs becomes a serious issue if you’re not physically fit. This group is good as we also advise each other on the right diet,” he notes, adding that the group has been growing.

 “We have about 40 active members, but we are normally 10 to 20 people and at least a minimum of ten every day. The age group varies,” he says.

Lumbasi concurs.

“We have about 85 participants on a WhatsApp group, but every day the numbers change, mostly between 10 to 20 people. The ages vary. Besides Mr Thuo who is over 60 years, we also have a 50-year-old. Most of us are mostly in the late twenties, thirties and early forties,” he notes.

SURVIVAL DESPITE THE PANDEMIC                                                                                    

The group has evolved with Covid-19 season.

“We have kept to the social distancing rules. We no longer do exercises that involve us holding hands. Wearing masks has been a challenge, which I realise is a world-wide problem. In China, a man died because of running in a mask. Sometimes we have to remove our masks and I think the police now understand. We, however, observe social distancing rules,” shares Lumbasi.

“Since the lockdown, some members feared to join us. The police have no problems because they understand fitness is better than just sitting at home eating and thinking about all that is going on,” adds Wanjohi.

LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

Beyond the fitness, the members have built lasting friendships.

“We are family. When a colleague’s wife broke her leg, we contributed to assist the family. We also support each other’s businesses,” shares Lumbasi.

“We get time to interact in the morning, and have gotten to know each other better. Last month one of us had a misfortune we reached out. Now we are more than neighbours,” Wanjohi concludes.