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Original poster

What are the rules re exercise??

205 replies

Chocolatedaim · 05/04/2020 08:56

Hey everyone
Just wanted to clarify are there any rules on how long it is acceptable to be outside exercising?
I live in NE London in a converted flat, no access to outside space. I have been going out for a walk with the kids, usually before 9.30. Walking for about 5k over the marshes.
Then later on in the day, about Dusk, I have been going for a 5-7k run by myself. Always observing the social distancing rules, only going out with my children or husband, or alone, never meeting anyone outside our family. But I’ve started to see things appear online that suggest you should be out for less than an hour a day. I haven’t been able to find any official guidance stating this so wanted to clarify on here? Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
NewYearNewJob123 · 05/04/2020 09:31

It depends if you mean the guidance or legislation. The legislation says you are permitted to leave the house for exercise, no number of times or time limit given. Guidance is once a day.

In Wales its in the legislation that outdoor exercise is limited to once a day.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 05/04/2020 09:32

The best source of information is the government website. You can exercise ONCE a day, if you walk with your children, you forfeit your run.

What are the rules re exercise??
What are the rules re exercise??
foamrolling · 05/04/2020 09:34

I don't know why people are saying that there is no rule about once a day. The gov. UK websites states there is - it even highlights it in bold in the dog walking section.

I understand that some may feel the risk is so small that an extra walk/run a day doesn't matter (depending on circumstances I don't necessarily disagree) but let's not mislead the op into thinking she's following guidelines by going outside twice when she clearly isn't.

BasinHaircut · 05/04/2020 09:35

I think people need to just use their common sense. Of course you can go for a run AND a walk with your kids in the same day, as long as you keep your 2m distance from others. Totally within the spirit of the law.

I am also going out twice on some days, once with DS and DH, and once by myself. When I go by myself I go walking through fields where I am many tens of metres from any other living being at all times.

I walk out of my house, across the road and into a field. If I was living somewhere with less open space I’d still go, but maybe at a different time if necessary.

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 05/04/2020 09:36

The best source of information on what is permitted is the legislation. Which has no cap on how many times or the duration.

Dogs are allowed exercise more than once. Why wouldn't humans be, if they need it?

Original poster
Chocolatedaim · 05/04/2020 09:36

Sorry should have been clearer, I don’t run every day. But there are maybe two days a week when I am going out twice.
There are people around but no one gets close to one another, unless you are on the paths which can get crowded with buggy’s and small children on scooters and bikes. (Therefore we stick to the grass)
I do exercise videos at home when kids in bed as well.
I’m so jealous of those with outdoor space. We have wanted a garden for years but always made do with being so close to marshes. We get out whatever the weather so this is a real adjustment for us. Not complaining at all, I know it’s imperative, just want to try and make sure we are doing the right thing by everyone, including ourselves.

OP posts:
FurForksSake · 05/04/2020 09:37

Lots of people seem to be using the excuse of walking to the shop every day to add another walk / outing in? I thought we were supposed to be going to shops as little as possible, once a week if we can?

daisypond · 05/04/2020 09:40

Actually, there is a difference between guidance and legislation, which I’ve just discovered.
people can leave their home for only specified reasons, including exercise. From the Law Society Gazette: “Guidelines in England suggest this should be taken only once a day; in Wales once a day is the law.”

Original poster
Chocolatedaim · 05/04/2020 09:40

Yes we have avoided the shops completely and it hasnt been a problem, we don’t waste food and can stretch what we have quite a long way.
I have managed to have two shops delivered and that’s lasted us a month.

OP posts:
Random18 · 05/04/2020 09:40

You are in London.

You are in the area most affected by Corona Virus.

You are not following the guidelines which clearly states to exercise once a day

Alternate with DH and go for a run every other day but you cannot go out twice a day.

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 05/04/2020 09:44

Random, her going for a run in the evening has absolutely NO bearing on London's Coronavirus infection rate.

Can everyone stop being silly, please.

jessy2018 · 05/04/2020 09:45

I could have written this myself . We are doing the same thing. As I see it my children need that level of exercise for their bodies and minds so no issues 👍🏻

Random18 · 05/04/2020 09:48

sonic if people continue to flout the rules especially in London then we will all have to suffer a more severe lockdown.

Why is right to exercise on her own greater than my children's right to get out.

Essentially that is what everyone flaunting the guidelines is saying.

If we all follow the advice, the sooner some restrictions can be lifted.

Random18 · 05/04/2020 09:51

I do sympathise but if everyone is doing it then its a significant amount of extra people.

zafferana · 05/04/2020 09:52

Lots of people seem to be using the excuse of walking to the shop every day to add another walk / outing in? I thought we were supposed to be going to shops as little as possible, once a week if we can?

Michael Gove said last week that he'd been out for a run, then walked to the shops for some food for the weekend. If he can do that, then so can everyone else. He was interviewed for the Andrew Marr show outside his house when he said that.

Original poster
Chocolatedaim · 05/04/2020 09:52

random18
I certainly don’t believe I have a greater right to run in the evening a couple of times a week, than your children do, and I don’t want to be a part of a groups of people who jeopardise that, hence why I asked.
I’ve taken everyone’s view points on board and I will be making some changes

OP posts:
coconuttelegraph · 05/04/2020 09:53

But not everyone needs to get out once a day. Some couch potatoes might not bother going out at all

I'm not sure if we're allowed to be lighthearted these days but maybe there's scope for an exercise offset scheme - same number of outings, same amount of risk? Smile

Original poster
Chocolatedaim · 05/04/2020 09:55

I like that idea coconuttelegraph 😀 but you’re right maybe not the time to jest!

OP posts:
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 05/04/2020 09:55

Why is right to exercise on her own greater than my children's right to get out.

Her going out for a run has absolutely zero impact on your children's ability to get out.

The Guidelines are there as a guide, for what most people need. Some need less, some need more. Both are fine, as long as they don't put anyone else at risk, which OP doesn't. It's not busy, she's not in contact with anyone else during the run. It's perfectly fine.

If the lockdown drags on longer than 3 weeks, it won't be because of people going for a run far away from other people after most children are in bed.

zafferana · 05/04/2020 09:57

if everyone is doing it then its a significant amount of extra people

But not everyone is - there are people on MN who haven't left their homes in 3 weeks and there are millions of people for whom any kind of exercise is anathema! As a PP said, there is no 'one size fits all' here. If you live in the middle of nowhere and never see a soul is it necessary for you to stay cooped up in your house? No. If you can go for a run somewhere away from everyone else are you spreading virus around? No. The point is to stop people congregating and getting close to people they don't live with. That's why meeting friends is banned, but going for a run is not.

Random18 · 05/04/2020 10:10

zafferana

Keep telling yourself that!

I really despair at the selfishness of some people.

We need to all be in this together and all.follow the rules.

It's clear from this post that many people do not beleive the rules apply to them.

Do you not see how many people are dying? Do you not see the heartbreaking posts of Drs and nurses and others on the frontline.

It may seem trivial and small to you but if one person does it, then someone else thinks well if they can do it so can I and so it goes on.

zafferana · 05/04/2020 10:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Random18 · 05/04/2020 10:12

I should also add that we do exercise once a day. I think it's incredibly important.

I am terrified that they will have to stop that. But if peopme think the rules don't apply to them then that is what will have to happen.

We need to flatten the curve.

Insideout99 · 05/04/2020 10:14

@SonicVersusGynaephobia that is your opinion. OP is asking about the rules. The rules say one form of exercise a day.

SerendipitySunshine · 05/04/2020 10:15

It is too busy where we live. If everyone did a maximum of an hour once a day it would be so much easier for everyone to keep their distance. But everyone thinks it doesn't apply to them...